Is the 2016 Ford FIESTA reliable?

The 2016 Ford FIESTA has 253 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford FIESTA?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (103 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (34 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (26 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford FIESTA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Ford FIESTA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford FIESTA?

The 2016 Ford FIESTA gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford FIESTA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford FIESTA is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford FIESTA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford FIESTA has 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 367. The most common issue is transmission problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: 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 differen. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 10 crash reports 2 injuries

253

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

103 complaints

41%

• 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 DIFFEREN
• 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
• 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 S

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“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 DIFFEREN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford FIESTA

Based on 164 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 53K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 41K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 4K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 57K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford FIESTA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford FIESTA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FIESTA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 FIESTA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 253 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 DIFFEREN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: DAYLIGHT RUNNING LAMPS INOPERATIVE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PAID FOR TX INSPECTION. DISCOVERED AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)