FordFiesta2011Overview/ford/fiesta/2011/base/

2011 Ford Fiesta

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Fiesta.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is a compact passenger car offered with a six-speed automatic (AM6) transmission and an engine calibrated to run on 5W-20 API oil meeting Ford's WSS-M2C945-A specification, delivering EPA fuel economy of 29 city, 37 highway, and 32 combined mpg. While those efficiency figures remain respectable for the segment, this model year stands out in the Fiesta's broader 1991–2019 complaint history as the single worst year on record, with 729 owner complaints — far surpassing even the next-most-troubled years and dwarfing the low of just one complaint logged for 2001. The bulk of those grievances cluster around the power train, and the model carries three recalls, meaning researchers should treat the 2011 as a pivotal but problematic point in the Fiesta's reliability timeline rather than a representative example of the nameplate's overall durability.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5W-20 API (STARBURST) MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-AOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy29/37/32 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery. 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.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeFIESTA 2011 2012 S, SE P185-65R15 See tire placard on the inside door panel pillar for inflation pressure(s) See tire placard on the inside door panel pillar for inflation pressure(s) NAOEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length160.2 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase98 in
Curb weight2557 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined29 / 37 / 32 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume85 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.7–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2011 SES Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SES Hatchback 1.6L I-48.70 sec16.80 sec120 hpFWD
2011SEL Sedan 1.6L I-49.30 sec17.00 sec120 hpFWD
2011SES Hatchback 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.00 sec120 hpFWD
2011SES Hatchback 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec120 hpFWD
2011SES Hatchback 1.6L I-49.70 sec17.20 sec120 hpFWD
2011SES Hatchback 1.6L I-410.10 sec17.50 sec120 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec197 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5W-20 API (STARBURST) MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5W-20 API (STARBURST) MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts98 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18-20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-207 °F
RPM55 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14.5 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM800 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.147 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.826 in
Drum Maximum Machining7.952 in
Drum Discard at-or-over8.03

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 degrees, step 3: wait 10 seconds, 1574 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 100,000 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.

At 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

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 2011 Ford Fiesta represents the most complaint-heavy year in this generation's arc, logging a peak of 729 federal complaints alongside 3 recalls and 3 investigations. The primary drivers are Power Train issues, accounting for 230 complaints, supplemented by an additional 30 combined "Power Train,Engine" complaints, though the data does not specify the root mechanical cause. In the context of the generation, complaint volumes decline steadily from this 2011 apex down to a low of 35 in 2018, while recalls actually peak later in 2014 with 7 actions, suggesting prolonged regulatory intervention despite decreasing consumer reports. As the inaugural year suffering the highest complaint density, 32 crash reports, and 5 fire reports, 2011 clearly absorbed the brunt of the model's early production flaws. Given its statistically elevated risk profile compared to subsequent years, this is a model year to avoid and you would be better served seeking a later model year in the generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
85
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
729
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 729 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train230
Structure96
Unknown Or Other33
Power Train,Engine30
Latches/Locks/Linkages26
Electrical System25
Power Train,Electrical System18
Engine16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V331000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 08/06/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge…

15V246000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 24/04/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 85 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
14M02 S72023-05-04Power TrainCertain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…

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 Fiesta. 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

How much oil does the 2011 Fiesta take?

5W-20 API (STARBURST) MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Fiesta have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Fiesta get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined mpg.