Fiat500L2018Overview/fiat/500l/2018/base/
BG platform

2018 Fiat 500L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 500L.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2018 Fiat 500L is a passenger‑car built on the BG platform and equipped with a 6‑speed automatic transmission. Its fuel‑economy rating of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined makes it a standout efficiency figure for the segment. Reliability data show the model carrying forward a downward trend, with only five owner complaints and two recalls reported, a marked improvement from the 183 complaints recorded in 2014 and the single complaint in 2017.

Model year2020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torqueSteel: 63.0 ft-lbs; Aluminum: 89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 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. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 size205/55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68098254AA alt 68630130AA
Engine air filter68202151AA
Spark plug68070507AC
Battery68240522AA discontinued
Thermostat68095375AA alt 68211424AA
Cabin air filter68267921AA alt 68212070AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.3 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3254 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to Steel: 63.0 ft-lbs; Aluminum: 89.0 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 NutsSteel: 63.0 ft-lbs; Aluminum: 89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerFiat
Spark Plug Gap.025 in
Spark Plug Torque12 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent.
Oil Capacity1.70 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum62.0 psi
Engine Compression100 PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 25
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 42

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. lbs.11 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 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 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 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 20,000 miSunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 500L generated only four complaints across disparate systems—visibility, wheels, service brakes, and unspecified issues—with zero crash or fire incidents, continuing the dramatic downward trend from 2014’s 183 complaints and 2015’s 23. This places the 2018 model at the stable end of the generation’s reliability arc, representing a slight uptick from 2017’s single complaint but maintaining the near-zero defect rate established in the 2016–2017 period. The data does not specify root causes for these sparse filings, which are spread across unrelated components rather than indicating a systemic pattern. With negligible complaint volume and no safety-related incidents reported, the 2018 model represents a mature, low-risk vintage of this generation and is a favorable used-car purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
90
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Visibility1
Unknown Or Other1
Wheels1
Service Brakes1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19E044000Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift AssemblyReported 03/07/2019

DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than… Remedy: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT…

24V474000Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating SystemsReported 25/06/2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 90 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-021-262026-06-04StructureBroken Exterior Driver And/Or Passenger Door Handles XB2 Warranty Extension Customers may…
S25240000122025-10-07Unknown Or OtherHigh Voltage Air Conditioning Refrigerant Dye
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…

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 500L. 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 500L have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 500L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.