FordMustang2018Overview/ford/mustang/2018/base/

2018 Ford Mustang

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Ford Mustang is classified as a passenger car with a 5.7-quart oil capacity specifying 5W-30 viscosity, carrying mechanical requirements typical of its platform. This model year generated 184 owner complaints—primarily engine-related—across four recalls, a volume that falls substantially below the 2005 historical high of 868 complaints while remaining above the 2026 low of four. Within the 1990–2026 reliability spectrum, that positioning indicates a moderate defect-reporting period for the nameplate, distancing it from the model's most problematic years yet not matching the near-silent reliability of the latest data points.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 590 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 · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ; Optional: 6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3706 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

3.8–5.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.80 sec — 2018 GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V83.80 sec12.10 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V83.90 sec12.10 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Fastback (Performance Pack. 2) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack 2) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.60 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V84.30 sec12.60 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V84.40 sec12.60 sec460 hpRWD
2018GT Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 5.0L V84.50 sec12.40 sec460 hpRWD
2018EcoBoost Premium Fastback (Performance Pack) 2.3L Turbo I-45.00 sec13.50 sec310 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.6-12.7
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2-4.1
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub251.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-3-7-2-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.029 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number96R

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum51.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.0 psi
RPM51.0-75.0 rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum51.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.0 psi
RPM51.0-75.0 Low Pressure Side rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum53.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 24; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 85; Rear: 129
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.122; Rear: .390
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install new bolt and tighten to 98.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees.98 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
2142.0 inch lbs.142 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
153.0 inch lbs.53 in
245.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
153.0 inch lbs.53 in
245.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
321.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
490.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
228.0 ft. lbs.28 ft. lbs
3105
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
224.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., Step 2: 360 degrees, Step 3: 74.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90103 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., Step 2: 360 degrees, Step 3: 96.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90103 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
255.0 ft. lbs.55 ft. lbs
3loosen all bolts 180 degrees180 degrees
418.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
526.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
690 degrees90 degrees
790 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
341.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18011.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
215.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
360.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
215.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
359.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
2Turn 35
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Studs: 18 ft. lbs.

1New Nuts18 ft. lbs
224
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
2Turn 35
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
1Install new manifold studs18 ft. lbs
224
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Cap bolts

1Bolts 1-2015 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1030 ft. lbs
3Bolts 11-2048 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1-2090 degrees
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
360.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Bolts 1-2015 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1030 ft. lbs
3Bolts 11-2048 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1-2090 degrees
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
360.0
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 457.4 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
2177.0 inch lbs.177 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive 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 2018 Ford Mustang recorded 184 federal complaints and 4 recalls, with the most prevalent issues involving the engine (43) and powertrain (31), though the data does not specify their root causes. Within the current generation that began in 2015, federal complaints demonstrate a steady downward trend, dropping significantly from an early-generation peak of 434 in 2015. Compared to the 262 complaints and 6 recalls in 2017, and the 141 complaints and 6 recalls in 2019, the 2018 model sits at a favorable inflection point where initial quality concerns were largely resolved before a slight recall uptick in subsequent years. Furthermore, the 2018 model benefits from zero federal investigations, minimal crash and fire complaints (8 and 1, respectively), and a high count of 198 technical service bulletins, indicating extensive documented service fixes. Because it occupies a sweet spot of declining complaint volume and the lowest recall count of its immediate peers, the 2018 Mustang is a strategically sound used purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
198
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
184
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 184 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine43
Power Train31
Electrical System16
Unknown Or Other13
Structure9
Back Over Prevention7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Latches/Locks/Linkages6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E035000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 24/05/2018

Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain aftermarket supercharger kits, part number R1318-6006P1-AA, sold for installation on 2018 Ford Mustangs. The hose barb fittings on the supercharger kits may… Remedy: Roush will notify the known owners and replace the defective fuel rail subassemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Roush customer service…

17V814000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 18/12/2017

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018 Ford Mustang vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 12.4" digital instrument cluster. If the ignition is turned off when the transmission is not in PARK, the… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2018. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 198 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25H05 S12026-04-29Electrical SystemHarvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software…
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25N152026-01-05Visibility/WiperCertain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…
25N152025-12-22Unknown Or OtherCertain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…

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 Mustang. 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 2018 Mustang take?

5.7 qt of 5W-30 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Mustang have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.