NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
AT 2600 MILES MY TRANSMISSION WENT AND WAS FIXED BY FORD, BUT THE CAR IS SO NOISY NOW AND THE FLOOR BOARDS VIBRATE, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR
NOW SECOND OCCURRANCE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. POWER ASSIST FAILS ON STARTUP WITH CAR STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN COLD WEATHER FOR A FEW HOURS. UNASSISTED STEERING IS VERY HIGH EFFORT AND RENDERS THE CAR ALMOST UNUSABLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE DASH WARNING LIGHT WAS ON; DEALER SERVICE FOLLOW-UP HAD THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS BUT FAILED TO TRACE THE PROBLEM OR DOCUMENT THE FAILURE CODE. DURING LAST OCCURRENCE THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR. IN BOTH CASES STOPPING AND RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME FUEL WAS PLACED IN THE TANK, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VACUUM FUEL LINE WAS UNABLE TO BLEED UP THE FUEL TANK VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,298.
ENGINE COOLING RESERVOIR IS CRACKED (LEAKING ANTIFREEZE FLUID)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE CAR JERKS AND STUTTERS AND RAMPS UP REALLY HIGH. DON'T FEEL VERY SAFE IN EVERY DAY TRAFFIC. I JUST PURCHASED THE 2016 BRAND NEW IN MAY 2017 AND HAVE HAD IT BACK FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE EXPLANATION OF THE DUAL TRANSMISSION. HAD I KNOW IT HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS MY 2011 FIESTA, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE!
CAR PARKED, BATTERY DEAD. JUMP STARTED CAR. CAR STARTED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIT ON DASH. ONLINE SEARCH RECOMMENDED DRIVING CAR TO RESET THE PROGRAMS. DROVE CAR AROUND BLOCK, CAR LOST ACCELERATION. FELT AS THOUGH TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE REVVED WHILE GIVING GAS BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.
HELLO, I JUST BOUGHT MY 2016 FORD FIESTA ST AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OVERHEATING. PLEASE ADVISE. IT HAPPEN TO ME THREE TIMES NOW WHILE DRIVING.
I PICKED UP THIS NEW FORD FIESTA 5DR (AUTO TRANSMISSION) 9/29/16 & THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 1979 MILES ON ODOMETER. I NOTICED THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE RIGHT AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR & REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THE CAR/TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE DEALER AT THE TIME COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM & TOLD ME WHEN I COULD DUPLICATE IT TO RETURN & HAVE IT CHECKED; WELL THAT'S A LITTLE HARD SINCE THE ISSUE IS NOT PRE-DETERMINED. ON 7/12/2017 AS I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I REALIZED MY SIDE VISION WAS OBSCURED SLIGHTLY SO I THOUGHT I WOULD EASE UP TOWARDS THE STOP LINE TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTED VIEW, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY IN AN EFFORT TO JUST LET THE CAR ROLL A LITTLE UNTIL I CLEARED THE OBSTRUCTED VIEW BUT INSTEAD OF MY CAR JUST ROLLING IT LUNGED FORWARD & SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF ME SO I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME & LUCKILY NO ONE IN BACK OF ME EITHER WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
HAS A HESITATION WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL ALMOST LIKE TOO MUCH FUEL AT ONE TIME AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL LAUNCH FORWARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE TURNING IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO REDIRECT YOUR STEERING QUICKLY OR YOU WILL END UP ON SOMEONE ELSE'S SIDE OF THE ROAD.AND WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGNS OR SIGNAL LIGHTS IS VERY SCARY AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME.NOT HAVING POWER WHEN NEEDED IS VERY UNSAFE FOR ME AND THE OTHER SURROUNDING DRIVERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, A SCRAPPING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL HAMILTON FORD DEALER LOCATED IN CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. ...UPDATED 10/19/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEATBELTS IN BACK WOULD LOCK UP WHILE IN USE. *JS
MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE OCCASIONAL HESITATION UNDER LOAD WHEN MAINTAINING SPEED, ALL OBSERVED SPEEDS, ALL OBSERVED GEARS (ROUGHLY 30MPH TO 70MPH IN GEARS 3-5). VEHICLE HAS DONE IS SINCE NEW, (DECEMBER 26, 2016 TO PRESENT) LESS THAN 4,500 MILES ON IT AT PRESENT. BRINGING TO DEALER IN NEXT WEEK OR TWO FOR FIRST SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, WILL HAVE THEM CHECK IT.
STEERING WHEEL PLASTIC COVER CATCHES FINGER AT 5 O'CLOCK AND 7 O'CLOCK WHEN TRYING TO TURN. PLACING FINGER AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL CATCHES FINGER AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. PLASTIC STICKS OUT FROM THE BLACK BACK PLASTIC THAT IT TOUCHES. IN MY CAR IT'S A GRAY ACCENT U SHAPED THAT STARTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRBAG AND GOES DOWN AND AROUND TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. THE TOUGH PART OF THE U-SHAPED GOES FROM THE LEFT AND YOU HAVE THE TELEPHONE BUTTONS RADIO BUTTONS ON ONE SIDE AND THEN YOUR CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS ON THE OTHER IN THE CENTER OF THE TOP OF THE U-SHAP. DOWN ALONG THE BOTTOM WHEN IT TOUCHES THE OUTSIDE OF STEERING WHEEL THAT'S WHERE YOUR FINGER CAN GET CAUGHT WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU REACH YOUR HAND IN THROUGH THE SMALL BOTTOM HOLES AND PULL OUT YOU CAN FILL THE EXTRA PLASTIC AND ALMOST A SHAPNESS DOWN ALONG THE BOTTOM WHEN IT TOUCHES THE OUTSIDE OF STEERING WELL THAT'S WHERE YOUR FINGER TO GET CAUGHT WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU REACH YOUR HAND IN THROUGH THE SMALL BOTTOM HOLES AND PULL OUT YOU CAN FILL THE EXTRA PLASTIC AND ALMOST A SHARPNESS FROM IT .
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. FROM A STOP, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE AND USE THE ACCELERATOR THERE'S A HESITATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN AN INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I HAD THE HOOD ON MY FORD OPEN TODAY TO CLEAR OUT LEAVES THAT HAD GOTTEN STUCK AROUND THE VENTS UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE I HAD THE HOOD UP I NOTICED "TIN FOIL" AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEETS THE FRAME OF FRONT WINDOWS.. I'M STRUCK BY THAT TIN FOIL & ON BOTH SIDES THE PASSENGER SIDE & THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD HOW SAFE IS THAT .. (TOOK THREE PICS & HOPE YOU CAN SEE IT) UPLOADED ALL 3 PICTURES.. AUTO WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME..
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK TWICE AND CAREENED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER ONCE BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK BY HYPER EXTENDING MY NECK OVER THE STEERING WHEEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY AND STRUCK A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
CLUNK NOISE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR... I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FROM THE DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER ON 9/29/16 (45 MILES ON CAR THEN).. I THOUGHT AT FIRST I IMAGINED IT OR JUST NEEDED TO GET USED TO THIS CAR SINCE I HAD JUST TURNED IN A 2014 LEASE CAR BACK TO TOYOTA SO BIG DIFFERENCE IN THESE 2 CARS..
I PICKED UP THIS FORD FIESTA 5DR VEHICLE 9/29/2016 (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) NEW & AT THAT TIME I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK/UNLOCK LEVER FOR THE TILT/ TELESCOPIC WHEEL WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE TO ADJUST THE HEIGHT OF THE STEERING WHEEL.. I ASKED AT THAT TIME IF THE LEVER COULD BE ADJUSTED FOR EASE SINCE I AM A 76 Y/O FEMALE WITH NOT MUCH STRENGTH IN MY HANDS, PERHAPS IF I WERE A 20 Y/O AGILE MALE IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH AN ISSUE.. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT ADJUST THAT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO CHANGE THAT; WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY THING I ALSO KNOW THAT MY HAND, THUMB, ARM & WRIST ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS 'DESIGN FLAW' & I WILL SPEAK WITH MY DOCTOR NEXT WEEK IN REGARD TO THIS PAIN.. I'M NOT SURE WHO DESIGNED THIS LEVER TO BE SO HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO USE & ADJUST BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY DIDN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION OLDER FEMALE DRIVERS .. WHILE I PAID FOR THIS FEATURE OF THE TILT/ TELESCOPIC WHEEL I'M HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS FEATURE BECAUSE OF THE LEVER ISSUE; IN ADDITION I AM SHORT SO NEED TO GET CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY.. SHAME ON THE AUTO DESIGNER FOR WHAT I CONSIDER A DESIGN FLAW DONE WITHOUT TESTING BEFORE RELEASING TO THE ENTIRE PUBLIC..
I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.. THE LEVER FOR THE ENGAGE/DISENGAGE FOR THE TILT TELESCOPIC WHEEL IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO ENGAGE I'M 76 & IT TAKES A LOT OF HAND STRENGTH TO MOVE IT UP & DOWN. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALER ABOUT THIS BUT SHE CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T TOUCH THAT IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE; WELL I KNEW ABOUT THE SAFETY & I'M NOT ASKING TO REMOVE THE LEVER JUST MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME TO USE... SO HERE I AM ONE YEAR LATER & MY HAND & THUMB ARE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED & THE PAIN IS HORRENDOUS.. ANOTHER DEFAULT OR DEFECT FROM FORD & IN ADDITION THIS VEHICLE SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE BEEN ON THE LOT FORD HAD ALREADY NOTIFIED DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE MODELS SO NOW IN ADDITION TO THIS ISSUE I'M IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH THIS NEW CAR..
CAR SHUDDERS/SHAKES WHEN I START TO DRIVE AFTER A STOPLIGHT. USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE AND THE ENGINE IS HOT. TOOK CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED A LOT OF OIL DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR LATER THAT DAY (2 INCH DIAMETER SPOTS). TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THE SHUDDERING/SHAKING IS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, AND DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE AN ISSUE ALREADY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
DAYLIGHT RUNNING LAMPS INOPERATIVE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PAID FOR TX INSPECTION. DISCOVERED AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and had multiple unknown repairs performed under warranty; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
LUNGES FORWARD ANY TIME IT WANTS, ANYPLACE IT WANTS TOO.
MAYBE THIS IS AN OVERSITE ON MY PART, BUT I WAS TAKING SOMEONE HOME THEY WERE SEATED IN BACKSEAT, THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, THINKING THEY COULD UNLOCK DOOR FROM THE BACK, THEY WERE UNABLE TO, I HAD TO UNLOCK BACKDOOR FROM THE FRONT (WITH BUTTON NEAR FRON CONSOLE OF CAR). I SAT IN THE BACK AND COULD NOT FIND A BUTTON TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE BACK DOOR EXCEPT TO ASK DRIVER OR HIS PASSENGER TO UNLOCK DOOR FROM THE FRONT.. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN AN ACCIDENT, IF SOMETHING WOULD TO HAPPEN TO THE DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER IS TRAPPED. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHERE A BUTTON FOR. HAD I GOTTEN OUT OF CAR AND LEFT PASSENGER IN CAR, HE WOULD HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO UNLOCK DOORS
TUVE PROBLEMA CON LA COMPUTADORA Y TRANSMISIN AUTOMTICA, DESDE QUE SE ADQUIRI LA UNIDAD REPORTE PROBLEMA CON LOS ELEVADORES DEL AUTO YA QUE NO SE TRABAN A SUBIR Y BAJAR, NO HAN DADO SOLUCIN A ESTE PROBLEMA Y SOLO LO 'RESUELVEN CON LUBRICANTE' . LA INTENSIDAD DEL TABLERO CAMBIA CONSTANTEMENTE, AL TRATAR DE SUBIR O BAJAR EL VOLUMEN DEL ESTERO NO LO HACE DE MANERA CORRECTA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. AT TIMES, WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN SLOWLY PICK UP SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALPIN FORD (1000 SANDRETTO DR, PRESCOTT, AZ 86305, (877) 826-2935) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.