Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta a bad year?
179 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 101, 4.6× a quiet Fiesta year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Ford Fiesta were filed between 45k and 95k miles. You're at 69,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Fiesta owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 69,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 101 (56%) | 45k–95k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 35 (20%) | 37k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 26 (15%) | 37k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 11 (6%) | 45k–70k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 11 (6%) | 6k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 69,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 179 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 6 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Transmission noise just before the #3 shift rather it up a upshift or downshift. The vehicle has a faulty clutch and the slave cylinder is noisy.
Takata recall. Every time I put fuel in my car it hesitates. Sometimes it cuts off and sometimes it just shakes and almost cuts off.
On friday june 19th, my son and I were making a right turn onto a main street from a parking lot. The car hesitated, then stalled in the middle of traffic.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 69,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ford Fiesta: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 101
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ford Fiesta. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Timing Belt Failure
Timing Belt Failure
Neighbouring years
2015 Fiesta: 259 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Fiesta: 75 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Fiesta year
2001 · 2002 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Fiesta years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta a bad year?
179 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 101, 4.6× a quiet Fiesta year. At 69,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Ford Fiesta were filed between 45k and 95k miles. You're at 69,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (101), engine (35), electrical system (26), fuel system (11), speed control (11). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 45k–95k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Fiesta have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.