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Electrical systemPart report

2016 Ford Fiesta Electrical system Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
15%of 179 total for the year
Median mileage
55,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Ford Fiesta, 15% of the 179 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“My trunk pops open on its own. At least 3 times a day at random. Giving access into the vehicle. This happens while I'm driving and while the car is stationary. I have woken up at 4 am and my trunk be open. I've been driving at 60mph and the trunk open. Been in a drive through and the trunk open. This has been going on for months. My son seen the trunk was open and shut it repeatedly just for it to open every few minutes. This is a common issue with these and similar Ford vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #11351230, filed 2020-08, 52,000 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

“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

“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, filed 2025-09, 190,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20191110%
2018617%
201779%
20162615%
2015208%
2014459%
2013629%
20126611%
20119613%

Other parts of the 2016 Ford Fiesta

Transmission and drivetrain
101 complaintsEngine
34 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Fiesta

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology