Verdict
2016 Ford Fiesta: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Ford Fiesta — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most hatchback.
Owners filed 178 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 81% of 2016 hatchbacks. Power Train leads the reports (56%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
178
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
30
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 81% of 2016 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (56% of 178 reports), followed by electrical system (11%).
+ 7 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 178 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11235271, ODI 11234773, ODI 11234469, ODI 11231871, ODI 11698961.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 44 complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. These vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission. Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Based on a preliminary review of data currently available to ODI, this may be due to fragments of timing belt material that wear off and accumulate inside the oil pump. This debris can gradually clog the oil pump pick-up screen and result in sudden oil starvation of the engine and ultimately engine seizure. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Ford Fiesta 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta SFE FWD | 1.0L 3-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 31 | 41 | 35 |
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 27 | 36 | 30 |
| Fiesta ST FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 32 | 29 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Ford Fiesta: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
Owners filed 178 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Ford Fiesta — more complaints than 81% of comparable 2016 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (56% of complaints) and electrical system (11%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Fiesta have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2016 Ford Fiesta as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Fiesta get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Ford Fiesta between 29 and 35 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.