2016 Ford Fiesta Problems
Compared with other Ford Fiesta years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.3× that of a typical Ford Fiesta year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 28 of its 179 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: Automatic transmission shuddering, slipping and hard (80 complaints, median 60,007 mi).
Open NHTSA investigationTiming Belt Failure
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 179filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 57,183miles, 117 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 Ford Fiesta report far more transmission problems than anything else, most centered on the automatic dual-clutch gearbox and its control module: shuddering, slipping, delayed or failed shifts, and warnings such as "Service Transmission Now." These complaints appear across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage cars to ones past 100,000 miles, and many owners describe repeated dealer visits or parts on backorder. Engine stalls, no-start conditions after fueling, and electrical faults are also reported, though less often.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission control module failure and 'Service
- 39 complaints (22%)
- median 90,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
- filed 2017–2025
Complaints describe messages such as "Service Transmission Now," "Transmission Malfunction" or check engine lights, often followed by a car that will not shift, will not move, or will not start. Owners report being told the transmission control module (TCM) needs replacement, frequently with parts on backorder, and some note the problem appeared after a battery replacement. Several mention a warranty or extended-coverage program that their vehicle was not eligible for. Spread across the range, from about 37,000 to 140,000 miles, with no single pattern in conditions.
What to check: Scan for stored transmission codes and check whether the TCM has already been replaced. Ask for service records showing any software updates or module replacements.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My battery went dead on 5/26/20, it was unable to be jumped off at auto zone. I bought a new battery for $108. After installing my dash appeared transmission malfunction service now, prior to this I had no issues other than my purge control valve has went out twice. I called the dealership and he immediately stated the battery dying caused the transmission control module to burn out and that it is a common issue. He said my vehicle should have been included in a recall/extended warranty but my vintage was not included and he wasn't sure why. …”
NHTSA complaint #11326225, filed 2020-05, 123,000 miles“The TCM light comes on when car is started. While the car is moving it seem to slip out of gear. This happens while driving on a straight road or turning or slowing down. The RPM revs up but the car is slowing down. This happens when driving 30 MPH or 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11306446, filed 2020-02, 119,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Automatic transmission shuddering, slipping and hard
- 80 complaints (45%)
- median 60,007 mi at 4.8 yrs old (60 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2025
Owners describe shuddering or shaking during low-speed acceleration, especially between first and second gear, sometimes with a rattling or grinding noise. Complaints also describe the transmission slipping, revving without the car speeding up, jerking, failing to accelerate from a stop, or dropping out of gear into neutral. Several owners report that the dealer replaced the clutch or performed repairs, sometimes more than once, and that the problem returned. Reported from roughly 40,000 to over 120,000 miles, most often during low-speed driving and gear changes.
What to check: Test drive at low speeds, including repeated stops and starts, and feel for shudder or hesitation between first and second gear. Ask whether the clutch pack or transmission control module has been replaced and when.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When accelerating after stopping my 2016 Fiesta se shudders quite hard moving from 1st to 2nd gear and then also from 2nd to 3rd. I've noticed that the length of time the car shudders is increasing. The shudder is accompanied by a loud rattling sound like if you shook a bunch of screws in a metal container. Sometimes loss of power and high RPM's occur. I will take it back in and this will be the 4th time. The Ford dealership tells me that the shudder doesn't harm the transmission. I don 't believe that. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302428, filed 2020-01, 64,336 miles“I bought my 2016 Ford Fiesta with 31k miles on it. At the time I didn't research too deeply into the transmission issues these models have. Since my car hit about 45k miles I've experienced shuttering, jumping, clicking, and rough shifting or complete lack of shifting in the transmission while driving safely and normally. I've experienced my car dying randomly because the TCM is faulty and uses all the car's power even when the car isn't on. During a period my car was having lots of trouble turning over the engine to start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11394512, filed 2021-02, 45,000 miles - Engine
Hard starting and power loss with warning messages
- 11 complaints (6%)
- median 79,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2026
Some owners describe the car failing to accelerate, shuddering and stalling, sometimes with "Mobilizer Malfunction" or "Engine Service" messages. Others report intermittent no-starts and repeated ignition-related repairs, and some say spark plugs or ignition coils were replaced without a lasting fix. Mostly reported between about 28,000 and 130,000 miles, with no clear seasonal pattern.
What to check: Check for stored powertrain codes, confirm the car starts reliably cold and after sitting, and ask about recent ignition or cooling-system work.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving on the highway my cars throttle body stopped functioning. Having to try and pull over I got stuck in the middle of traffic. I shut the car off and started it again and everything seemed fine. During the same trip home I got stuck on a small two lane bridge twice for the same reason. After getting off the bridge it happened a fourth time on the highway again doing 70mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11406957, filed 2021-04, 51,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a continuous swishing sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11661252, filed 2025-05, 74,000 miles - Fuel system
Engine stalling or no-start after refueling
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners report that shortly after adding fuel the car is hard to start, requiring several attempts, and that once running it can lose power or stall. Some complaints say a mechanic or dealer identified a purge valve or vapor canister valve as the cause, and the capless fuel filler system is mentioned in several accounts as a possible factor. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 77,000 miles, typically right after refueling.
What to check: Fill the tank during the test drive and restart the car a few times right afterward. Ask whether the purge valve or canister purge valve has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When I put gas in my 2016 Ford Fiesta it want start right after the car stall which I'm told by my mechanic that the vapor canister purge valve is not working properly and Ford has this same issue with the Ford focus but want put the Fiesta on the to be recalled list”
NHTSA complaint #11317873, filed 2020-03, 45,000 miles“When fuel is added to the vehicle, it will not start for 5-20 minutes after fuel is added and requires 3-5 attempts to start. Additionally, there have been times where once it starts and begins operating, it will lose power and shut off. This power loss has occurred multiple times after leaving the gas station parking loss, leading to being stalled while in motion on a roadway. This is a incredibly scary experience.”
NHTSA complaint #11398929, filed 2021-03, 70,000 miles
Buying note. Have any 2016 Fiesta with the automatic transmission inspected by a shop familiar with this gearbox and check its service history for clutch, TCM and software work before purchase. A manual-transmission car avoids the most commonly reported issue, and a thorough test drive plus a code scan is the most useful check on any example.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 179 consumer complaints for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. 117 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,183 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 10 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 110 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 8 Ford Fiesta model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Transmission and drivetrain101 56%
- Engine34 19%
- Electrical system26 15%
- Other or unknown22 12%
- Fuel system11 6.2%
- Vehicle speed control11 6.2%
- Body and structure8 4.5%
- Steering7 3.9%
- Seat belts6 3.4%
- Wheels6 3.4%
Also reported: Suspension (5), Air bags (4), Brakes (2), Exterior lighting (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Seats (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Car stalls, doesn't pick up speed, hesitates to start, engine light is on because the gas valve needs to be replaced. Gas warning comes on when half full. Gas smell throughout car. Has a load humming sound when driving or idled. Jumps when accelerate. I have taken my car to a dealership in saint louis (relocated recently) and they won't touch it.”
NHTSA complaint #11234317, filed 2019-07, 20 milesEngine: “We tried turning the car on. The lights started blinking rapidly the. It said the traction control was off. Even though we did not turn it off. We jump started the car and it went on but only for the dashboard to say 'transmission malfunction service now'. When driving on the street and freeway to the next exit. It felt and sound like the engine is revving the entire time no matter what speed. The RPM is running high going straight past 3”
NHTSA complaint #11288286, filed 2019-12, 50,495 milesElectrical system: “The horn does not work. I never tested the horn when I took the car for a test drive, and only discovered this fact 2 weeks after driving the vehicle.. The dealer claims they did a thorough safety check which is not the case. I signed the 'sold as is' waiver so I don't have much recourse here, but the dealer should be held accountable for selling a vehicle that does not meet the basic safety standards.”
NHTSA complaint #11280939, filed 2019-11, 294,000 milesOther or unknown: “Transmission issues. The car jerks and stutters and ramps up really high. Don't feel very safe in every day traffic. I just purchased the 2016 brand new in may 2017 and have had it back for service three times. I am not satisfied with the explanation of the dual transmission. Had I know it had the same transmission as my 2011 Fiesta, I would not have purchased this vehicle!”
NHTSA complaint #11031719, filed 2017-10, 7,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
40% of the 117 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,500 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta · sedan FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
| Fiesta · hatchback FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Ford Fiesta version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Fiesta SFE FWD | 1.0L 3-cyl | 5-speed manual | 31 | 41 | 35 | $1,900 |
| Fiesta ST FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 29 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Fiesta in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA26004Timing Belt FailureOpen · Jul 31, 2026
- PE25020Timing Belt FailureClosed · Dec 18, 2025
- RQ19005Door Latch FailuresClosed · Dec 19, 2019
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 110 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11036546Aug 25, 2026Other or unknown, Engine. Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change
- 11030282Mar 25, 2026Other or unknown, Back-over prevention (rear camera), Lane…. Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system, Body and structure. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code…
- 11025837Nov 26, 2025Electrical system. This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not…
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025…
- 11001174May 27, 2024Other or unknown. This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018…
- 10254138Apr 24, 2024Equipment. All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should…
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024Engine cooling. For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and…
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023Body and structure. For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement…
- 10205694Dec 23, 2021Electrical system, Equipment. Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete…
Other model years of the Ford Fiesta
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 105 | 51,000 | 3 | 4 | 30 | 5 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 35 | 37,000 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 74 | 51,500 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 179 | 57,183 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 258 | 49,210 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 504 | 40,050 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 99 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 668 | 31,483 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 617 | 45,000 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 89 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 730 | 56,000 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 90 · More | Falling |
All Ford Fiesta model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Owners of the 2016 Ford Fiesta report far more transmission problems than anything else, most centered on the automatic dual-clutch gearbox and its control module: shuddering, slipping, delayed or failed shifts, and warnings such as "Service Transmission Now." These complaints appear across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage cars to ones past 100,000 miles, and many owners describe repeated dealer visits or parts on backorder. The issues reported most often: Transmission control module failure and 'Service; Automatic transmission shuddering, slipping and hard; Hard starting and power loss with warning messages.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Ford Fiesta have?
NHTSA recorded 179 consumer complaints for the 2016 Ford Fiesta as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Ford Fiesta is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 101 complaints (56% of the total), followed by engine with 34.
Has the 2016 Ford Fiesta been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Ford Fiesta do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Ford Fiesta 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Fiesta get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Ford Fiesta (Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Ford Fiesta reported?
Among the 117 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,183 miles and the middle half falls between 30,500 and 85,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.