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2016 Ford Fiesta problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Ford Fiesta has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 179owner complaints
- 10crash reports
- 1fire report
- 30%fail the UK MOT
179 complaints, against an average of 323 for the other 7 Ford Fiesta model years.
Every Ford Fiesta model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
The components named most often in the 179 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Ford Fiesta owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 179 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta stall, lose power or shut off while driving?30 owners · 16.8%
- Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?17 owners · 9.5%
- Why won't my 2016 Ford Fiesta start?13 owners · 7.3%
- Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta idle rough, misfire or hesitate?13 owners · 7.3%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ford Fiesta?9 owners · 5%
- Has the 2016 Ford Fiesta had transmission failures?8 owners · 4.5%
Fault codes 2016 Ford Fiesta owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2016 Ford Fiesta been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Ford Fiesta as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAX-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update
Risk: Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
Fix: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.
UK DVSASeat belt anchor bolt security
Risk: It has been identified that during production a small number of Fiesta's may not have had the right-hand side front seatbelt top anchor bolt tightened to the correct specification. This may result in the mounting not performing as intended if the vehicle is involved in a collision.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to torque the right-hand side front seatbelt top anchor bolts to the correct specification.
UK DVSARear axle may detach
Risk: There may not be adequate welding on one of the rear axle side arm bush housings. Therefore it is possible for the twist beam to become detached from the vehicle.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit a new rear twist axle.
EU Safety GateInadequate welding on one of the rear axle side arm bush housings can lead to the separation of the twist beam from the vehicle.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 07/10/2016
EU Safety GateThe right hand side front seat belt top anchor bolt may not have been correctly tightened during assembly.This could increase the likelihood of occupant injury in the event of a collision.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2016 Ford Fiesta fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2016, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2016 Ford Fiesta owners report?
12 of the 179 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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…
The transmission started slipping in 1st and 2nd gear.
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…
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who…
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…
Customer satisfaction program 16B11 covers a faulty high speed cooling fan relay. This bulletin was issued on April 5, 2016. I purchased the vehicle on [XXX]. An incorrect relay was installed at the factory, and the program should have replaced the relay with the correct part. This was not performed on my vehicle before I purchased it from Sheehy Ford of Ashland. The faulty relay failed, melting the fuse box in the process and causing the vehicle to overheat and cause permanent severe engine damage. Remnants of the melted relay show the part number, which matches the obsolete part number…
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…
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…
THE 2016 FORD FIESTA SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND THE SEATBELT HANG TO THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE THE SEATBELT METAL BUCKLE POINTING UP AND THE DRIVER COULD SAT TO IT AND INJURED THE BACK RIBS OF THE DRIVER JUST LIKE HOW I INJURED MY SELF BECAUSE OF LACK OF WARNINGS FROM OWNERS' MANUAL FROM FORD MOTOR THAT THESE SEATBELT PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORSEABLE BY THE MANUFACTURED TO WARNED THE CONSUMERS.
While driving car suddenly jerked wheel out of drivers hands and almost pulled the car into a ditch on the right side. Lights on the dash say steering assist unavailable service now. There has been a recall on Ford cards with this EPAS system but somehow this system has still not been fixed and is going to kill more people if your agency keeps allowing it to not be a total recall on all vehicles with this system installed.
ORIGINALLY, SINCE PURCHASE, EVERY TIME I FILLED UP THE VEHICLE IT WILL SUDDENLY JOLT OR JERK AND THE RPMS WOULD DROP TO THE HALF MARK THEN IT WOULD RUMBLE WHILE NOT IN MOTION. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ABOVE ISSUES WHEN THE TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. I HAVE NOT NOTICED IT AT ANY OTHER TIME AS OF YET BUT I AM ASSUMING THAT IT WILL GET WORSE. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME IN THE PAST THAT THEY WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE UNLESS THE ISSUE IS PRESENT DURING THERE CHECK IN PROCESS.
2016 Ford Fiesta: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fiesta; the most common categories were power train (101, 56.4%), engine (34, 19%), electrical system (26, 14.5%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 10 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 10 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Across 179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (56.4% of complaints), engine (19% of complaints), electrical system (14.5% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (6.1% of complaints), vehicle speed control (6.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
30 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (16.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11667538, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
17 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (9.5%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11667538, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2016 Ford Fiesta start?
13 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (7.3%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11667538, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Ford Fiesta idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
13 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (7.3%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford fiesta. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. the then abruptly accelerated at a high rate of speed while jerking." (NHTSA complaint 11354881, September 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Ford Fiesta?
9 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (5%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11667538, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2016 Ford Fiesta had transmission failures?
8 of the 179 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Ford Fiesta (4.5%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "This car has a double clutch transmission that was done overseas evidently this car's transmission does not run right and I've had it tested out at a mechanic shop the transmission slips gears does not operate correctly I was told by the mechanic that is not…" (NHTSA complaint 11604519, July 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Fiesta
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2016 only. How these reports are made.