Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 FORD Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle's transmission would suddenly slip while driving at various speeds. The contact would have to release some pressure on the acceleration pedal till the transmission realigns itself. The failure could occur several times in one day. The failure's occurrence had become more frequent. The vehicle's locking system for the hood had began to illuminate as open and or it had been tampered with, however, this had self- corrected since then. There had been several other electrical on and off failures, however, the transmission slipping had been the most present and frequently increasing of all they had experienced. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who confirmed the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact confirmed their VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the gear shifter was inoperable. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the powertrain control module had failed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with a failed TCM. The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced again. …
The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated the owner had brought the vehicle in complaining about a metal sound coming from underneath the vehicle as if metal was dragging. The sound was most prominent when turning the vehicle to the left or right. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the sound was coming from the axle bearings. The transmission had failed due to the transmission gear due to the axle failure. The contact was aware of Technical Service Bulletin: 16-0129; NHTSA ID Number: 10109047 (Power Train) and Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 regarding the DTS transmission for rough shifting and the differential gears failing. The contact spoke with a dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the TSB or the Customer Satisfaction Program. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle was stalling and was difficult to depress the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded as if it would independently accelerate. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the power train needed to be repaired. The power train was repaired at the dealer; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while stopped on an incline, the Hill Start Assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking forward. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving and eventually, the vehicle independently started to drive normally without a failure. The contact stated he experienced the failure for a second time and the vehicle shifted independently into neutral(N). The contact stated that the check engine, the battery, and coolant warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic but after parking the vehicle the vehicle failed to restart. The independent mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was replaced; however, the check engine and transmission error service now warning lights were illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping, causing the vehicle to lost motive power or stall. The contact was able to coast over to the side of the road and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart intermittently. The contact stated that DTC: PO606 was displayed; indicating a failure with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the PCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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 diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 35-45 MPH, she heard abnormal sounds coming from the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to shift the gear shifter from one gear to another, the gear shifter was difficult to operate. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times where it was diagnosed with transmission failure and that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired each time; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact referenced Ford Service Campaign Number: 14M02; however, the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that they could not provide vehicle rental assistance as the Service Campaign had expired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted. The contact stated that the transmission malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after the vehicle started while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back later. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering as if it would stall, and the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving over a speed bump. The contact had noticed that the failure mostly occurred while driving at low speeds and while the RPMs were low. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving and making right turns. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer determined that the failure was related to an undisclosed recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Transmission complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Fiesta, 57% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fiesta transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Fiesta transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.