2016 Ford Fiesta problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fiesta, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 123
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 9
- Median mileage
- 76,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 76 of 123 complaints (62%).
- Engine (18) and electrical system (17) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 76,000 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 9 Ford Fiesta model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 8% fewer complaints than the 2015 model year (134).
2016 Ford Fiesta problems by category
- 76 complaints
- Engine18 complaints
- Electrical System17 complaints
- Other / Unknown14 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash9 complaints
- Wheels & Tires5 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 3 crashes5 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control4 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Airbags · 3 crashes3 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion3 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
- Brakes1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 65 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Unknown or other | 14 |
| Electrical system | 13 |
| Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 8 |
| Structure:body | 6 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Seat belts | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2016 Ford Fiesta recalls (0)
No recalls on file.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA26004Opened Jul 31, 2026Open
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a 1.0L engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the PE, O…
- PE25020Opened Dec 18, 2025Closed Jul 31, 2026
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a 1.0L engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the PE, O…
Recent 2016 Ford Fiesta complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 28, 2025WAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
I have come to find that this vehicle suffers from premature slave cylinder failure, there are roughly 62,000 miles on the vehicle. Typical failure is reported to Ford between 70,000 and 80,000 miles. First symptoms appeared at roughly 58,000 miles. As I am a single father and a full time communications worker, I was not able to address this issue immediately upon discovering the initial symptoms as it would need further diagnosis. Clutch hydraulic fluids appear to be well…
NHTSA complaint #11696112 · source - Filed Sep 22, 2025190,000 miCOElectrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,000. It was later discovered that the actual mileage was 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #11688825 · source - Filed Aug 1, 202570,000 miMETransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and hesitated to respond. Additionally, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no…
NHTSA complaint #11677819 · source - Filed Jul 24, 2025130,000 miFLElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be…
NHTSA complaint #11675917 · source - Filed Jul 16, 2025NCElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The mechanic informed the contact that it was possibly the battery and the key fob battery that had…
NHTSA complaint #11674129 · source - Filed Jul 2, 2025NCElectrical SystemEngine
Customer satisfaction program 16B11 covers a faulty high speed cooling fan relay. This bulletin was issued on April 5, 2016. I purchased the vehicle on [XXX]. An incorrect relay was installed at the factory, and the program should have replaced the relay with the correct part. This was not performed on my vehicle before I purchased it from Sheehy Ford of Ashland. The faulty relay failed, melting the fuse box in the process and causing the vehicle to overheat and cause…
NHTSA complaint #11670906 · source - Filed Jun 17, 2025MDTransmission & Drivetrain
Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light. Our symptoms and warning lights are consistent with Ford's Fiesta Transmission Control Module recall, however the VIN for our car is not part of the original recall. We meet all of Ford's recall eligibility criteria: reported before June 30, 2025; vehicle is less than 10 years…
NHTSA complaint #11667538 · source - Filed Jun 9, 202585,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping, causing the vehicle to lost motive power or stall. The contact was able to coast over to the side of the road and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart intermittently. The contact stated that DTC:…
NHTSA complaint #11665739 · source
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Other 2016 Ford models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology