2016 Ford Fiesta problems
The 2016 Ford Fiesta has 178 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Ford Fiesta has 178 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 99 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,815 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Fiesta | 667 | 3 |
| 2014 Fiesta | 502 | 7 |
| 2015 Fiesta | 258 | 4 |
| 2016 Fiesta (this page) | 178 | 0 |
| 2017 Fiesta | 73 | 0 |
| 2018 Fiesta | 35 | 0 |
| 2019 Fiesta | 93 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Ford Fiesta? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 99 owner reports · tends to show around 72,815 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 93,434 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 51,557 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 10,333 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 93,434 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Ford Fiesta
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 FORD Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle's transmission would suddenly slip while driving at various speeds. The contact would have to release some pressure on the acceleration pedal till the transmission realigns itself. The failure could occur…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission would suddenly slip while driving at various speeds. The contact would let up off the accelerator pedal until the transmission realigned itself. The failure recurred several times per day. The failure…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH the engine began to smoke. The engine light was illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The…
New vehicle was sold with 2 manufacturing defects: 1) Defective front left shock absorber with made steering unstable. 2) Leaking value cover gasket with created a fire risk. 3) Both defects where confirmed by a dealer. 4) Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Ford Fiesta is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Ford Fiesta does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 99 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,815 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 178 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 72,815 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 99 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,815 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Fiesta has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 178 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.