Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Ford Fiesta problems

Owners filed 179 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (101).

Complaints
179
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train101
  2. Engine34
  3. Electrical system26
  4. Vehicle speed control11
  5. Fuel/propulsion system11
  6. Structure8
  7. Steering7
  8. Wheels6
  9. Seat belts6
  10. Suspension5
  11. Air bags4
  12. Service brakes2
  13. Latches/locks/linkages2
  14. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20163
201717
20188
201927
202024
202120
202229
202321
202415
202514
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

101 reports5 crashes
“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 sealed and clean. The design flaw with this system should be relatively obvious to a major automobile manufacturer such as Ford. The excessive temperatures caused by the transmission can and will affect any hydraulic systems severely. There are no avenues in which the temperatures can escape due to the bell housing of the transmission encasing the slave cylinder. In my experience as a prior automotive technician, most manual transmission automobiles place the cylinder in a more reasonable location, for example, beside the break booster in a 1991 Dodge Stealth. When observing the firewall in this location on this model of vehicle I can confidently say there is enough room to place a clutch…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2025Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11696112

Engine

34 reports1 fire
“I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden loss of motive power caused by the internal oil pump drive 'wet belt' system on my 2016 Ford Fiesta SE 1.0L EcoBoost (Manual Transmission). While driving, the vehicle's engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle suffered a sudden and severe loss of engine power, dropping speed drastically on a public roadway. This sudden loss of throttle response and speed placed me and surrounding traffic at a severe risk of a rear-end collision. This exact mechanical failure mode—where the oil pump drive belt degrades, strips its teeth, and clogs the oil pickup screen—is identical to the defect described in Ford Safety Recall 23S64 (NHTSA Campaign 23V905000). However, because my vehicle is a manual transmission model, Ford has excluded my VIN from the active safety recall. This manual configuration shares the identical defective 'wet belt' component design and poses the exact same 'unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety' currently under active NHTSA evaluation. I am requesting that the NHTSA force Ford to expand Safety Recall 23S64 to include manual transmission 1.0L models to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026EngineODI 11772736

Electrical system

26 reports1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2025Electrical systemODI 11688825

Vehicle speed control

11 reports3 crashes
“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 caused the issues. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the key fob battery was replaced. The contact replaced the battery independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11674129

Fuel/propulsion system

11 reports
“I was in Michigan and my car, which had been in great shape, unexpectedly failed to start after sitting for two days. After jump-starting the battery, the maintenance light turned on and my display showed a transmission malfunction. So while I traveled in my car to Columbus, unaware of the potential danger that my car could catch fire and explode because it couldn't shift beyond third gear, I stopped at AutoZone for an inspection where the man informed me about a specific error code called P0606. The car dealership, Holmes Motors, was well aware of the issues with my car because we had informed them about another defective Ford Fiesta they had in stock. However, they made a deliberate decision not to reveal any of this important information to me or my family. I’ve been had problems when my car failed to start after refueling last year. One of the two main issues I've encountered with Them. Firstly, they advised me that they had repaired my vehicle; that was not the case. Secondly, they never upheld the warranty and argued that my recurring issue was not eligible for coverage, after they just worked on it. The other Ford Fiesta that we saw coincidentally ended…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2023Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11529717

Structure

8 reports1 crash
“Trunk latch releases randomly. Like so many other people with this generation of Ford Fiesta. They have taken them in for the same issue and told they don't by the shop that they don't know what the problem is. The problem is random so getting to to happen while at the shop is next to impossible. If the problem can't be reproduced by a garage mechanic, how would Insurance, or police have any luck? There needs to be a recall, because some people are having them pop open while driving at night, and all of a sudden the interior lights come on, safety hazard!!! Some will pop open and kill the battery because the dome light comes on when the trunk opens. Then you're standing in subzero temperatures trying to jump start the car. That in and of itself is a safety issue. No warning lights are associated with this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2025Electrical system, StructureODI 11636370
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.