Fiat124 Spider2018Overview/fiat/124-spider/2018/base/
BA platform

2018 Fiat 124 Spider

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 124 Spider.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2018 Fiat 124 Spider, a passenger car built on the BA platform, pairs a 6‑speed automatic transmission with EPA‑rated fuel economy of 25 city/36 highway/29 combined mpg. Owner complaint records show 16 total reports for the 20172020 period, with the sole recall addressing air‑bag concerns and the most frequently cited problem area being Air Bags. The complaint curve peaked at 32 reports in 2017 and eased to eight in 2020, placing the 2018 model year near the lower end of that history. Consequently, the 2018 Spider reflects an improving reliability trend within its short‑term ownership record.

Model year2020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/36/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 68098254AA. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size195/50R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68098254AA alt 68630130AA
Engine air filter68335718AA
Spark plug68070507AC
Front wiper blades68314430AA alt 68313751AA
Serpentine belt05281293AA
Thermostat68320858AA
Cabin air filter68313632AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length160.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height48.8 in
Wheelbase90.9 in
Curb weight2456 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 36 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 124 Spider of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2017 Abarth
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Abarth 1.4L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec164 hpRWD
2017Classica 1.4L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec160 hpRWD
2017Abarth 1.4L Turbo I-46.50 sec14.90 sec164 hpRWD
2017Classica 1.4L Turbo I-46.50 sec14.90 sec160 hpRWD
2017Classica 1.4L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec160 hpRWD
2017Abarth 1.4L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.10 sec164 hpRWD
2017Lusso 1.4L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec160 hpRWD
2017Lusso 1.4L Turbo I-47.60 sec15.80 sec160 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs15 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerFiat
Spark Plug Gap.023-.027 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.86-.98 lbs.
Oil TypeDH-PR
Oil Capacity4.00-4.70 oz

Service checks

Engine Compression100 PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 26; Rear: 17
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 66; Rear: 44
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .787; Rear: .295
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .819; Rear: .327
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
222 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
3Turn 90 degrees do not use torque wrench90 degrees
4Turn 90 degrees do not use torque wrench.90 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
111 ft. lbs11 ft. lbs
2Tighten an additional 30
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Tighten according to the following torque values:

11 through 10 to 15 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
211 through 20 to 11 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
31 through 10 again to 15 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
41 through 10, 80 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.80 degrees
511 through 20 to 27 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6.63 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,860 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 1,860 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level)
At 10,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 80,000 miDrive Belt (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Fiat 124 Spider recorded 16 complaints and a single recall, a decline from the 32 complaints seen in 2017 and a slight uptick in recalls relative to 2019 (which had two). The trend across the generation shows a steady drop in complaints—from 32 in 2017 to 8 in 2020—while recall counts hover around one to two per year, indicating no sudden spike in safety issues. In 2018, the most frequent complaint categories were Air Bags (8) and Seat Belts (3), with no recorded crash or fire complaints. This places the target year in the downward trajectory of complaint volume, suggesting improved reliability relative to its predecessor. Given the lower complaint count and consistent recall frequency, 2018 appears to be a solid year to consider for purchase, though attention to the air‑bag and seat‑belt complaint areas is advisable.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
60
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
16
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Air Bags8
Seat Belts3
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel System, Gasoline,Electrical System1
Engine1
Lane Departure1
Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

24V694000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:SoftwareReported 18/09/2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these… Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 60 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
31-001-25 REV. B2025-08-16StructureAluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading…
31-001-25 REV. A2025-08-14StructureAluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading…
31-001-252025-08-13StructureAluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading…
31-001-242024-07-24Structure"Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading…
S14080003842024-01-10Electrical SystemStart Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 124 Spider. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 124 Spider have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 124 Spider get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined mpg.