2016 Ford Fiesta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Ford Fiesta has a complaint index of 38, ranking 6th out of 9 model years, earning a Good verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, making up 57% of its 178 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 65,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #6 of 9 Fiesta years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 178
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 35.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 1
Top 2016 Ford Fiesta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain101 (57%)
- Engine42 (24%)
- Electrical System26 (15%)
- Other22 (12%)
- Fuel System11 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (6%)
- Structure & Body10 (6%)
- Steering7 (4%)
- Seat Belts6 (3%)
- Airbags4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission hesitates then suddenly lurches or launches forward after a delay when the driver presses the accelerator from a stop.
- Vehicle reportedly shifts into neutral unexpectedly at highway speed, causing a sudden loss of engine power.
- Gear shift placed in drive but the car moves backward instead, leading to a collision.
- Transmission shudders and shakes during gear changes, described as causing loss of control.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including frontal and side-impact collisions.
- Seatbelts reportedly failed to retract properly or tore during a crash, with one report describing the seat ventilation exploding.
2016 Ford Fiesta recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2016 Ford Fiesta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 35.5 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta reliable?
- It carries a Good verdict compared to other Fiesta model years, with a complaint index of 38 and 178 total complaints, ranking 6th out of 9 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
- Transmission and powertrain complaints are the largest category, accounting for 57% of complaints (101 of 178), with a median failure mileage of 65,000.
- Does the 2016 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2016 Ford Fiesta, unlike several earlier model years such as 2011-2015 which had multiple recall campaigns.
- What year Ford Fiesta should I avoid instead of 2016?
- The 2011 through 2013 model years carry Avoid verdicts, with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, much higher than the 2016 model's index of 38.
- Are there safety concerns with the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
- NHTSA complaints report airbags failing to deploy in crashes and seatbelts not retracting properly, alongside transmission behavior linked to 10 crashes and 1 fire.