2016 Ford Fiesta: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 178 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (50% of complaints); the 2017 and 2018 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
178
owner complaints
1
fire reports
60,008
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo recall campaignsWeak spot: power train (50%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)50% · 82 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)15% · 24 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)8% · 13 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)4% · 7 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)4% · 7 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)4% · 7 complaints
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2025
“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 old; vehicle has fewer than 150,000 miles. By virtue of the symptoms, warning lights and meeting Ford's other criteria strongly suggest our VIN should be included in the recall.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2025
“The TCM was defective. It has been known that the TCM, transmission control modules are defective for Ford Fiestas and Focus. My daughter was driving the car and it stalled. If she was in heavy traffic are making a turn when this happened she could have been seriously injured. Ford said that they fixed this issue in the 2015 editions, that's why they stop the recall for 2016 models, but they really did not fix the problem. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership in Wisconsin and they confirmed all this information to me. And eight hundred dollars was paid to fix a problem that is on a recall for most models except the 2016, because they supposedly fixed the problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2025
“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 assistance was provided, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
“This car has a double clutch transmission that was done overseas evidently this car's transmission does not run right and I've had it tested out at a mechanic shop the transmission slips gears does not operate correctly I was told by the mechanic that is not a normal transmission it can cause an accident you put your foot on the gas the car will rev into the wrong speed stay keep the tachometer running in the red and could cause a serious accident to other people and that Ford will not fix it as it was manufactured incorrectly the first time this car is dangerous and now I'm stuck paying for a used car that could cause an accident Ford denies any culpability.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2024
“My key battery apparently died and the whole car shut off in the middle of the forlane 75 mph. Had no breaks lights, or anything there Should be a warning sign or should let u keep driving to get off the road”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the dashboard made abnormal clicking sounds. The contact stated that the air inlet blend door actuator had previously been replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air inlet blend door actuator needed to be replaced for the second time. The dealer replaced the air inlet blend door actuator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 57,183.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway to restart the vehicle, but the failure reoccurred. The messages "Mobilizer Malfunction" and "Engine Service" were displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission, requiring a replacement transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines1.0L · 1.6L
Cylinders3 · 4
FuelGasoline
Body stylesHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
How other years compare
Check your exact Fiesta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta reliable?
NHTSA has 178 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. The most complained-about area is power train (50% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Fiesta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,008 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.