RoadVitals

2016 Ford Fiesta Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jan 29, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 178 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Ford Fiesta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Jan 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into drive, the vehicle quickly lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission control module failure. The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID
11639291
Incident
Jan 24, 2025
Mileage
37,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 6, 2024

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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance could be provided unless the VIN was added to the unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 71,600.

NHTSA ID
11629185
Incident
Nov 6, 2024
Mileage
71,600 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission, requiring a replacement transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ID
11575307
Incident
Mar 4, 2024
Mileage
77,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jan 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse as needed. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was skipping third and fourth gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The contact informed the dealer about the warranty coverage, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ID
11563742
Incident
Dec 29, 2023
Mileage
122,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 3, 2023

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 vehicle was repaired; however, after retrieving the vehicle the failure recurred. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the failure was with the third gear. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had not been able to drive her vehicle for almost two years. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11548089
Incident
Oct 19, 2021
Mileage
119,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Sep 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission or the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11544765
Incident
Sep 13, 2023
Mileage
98,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission control module failed after the battery was replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced due to error code P0606. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11495778
Incident
Dec 2, 2022
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 12, 2022

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 was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was at the dealer awaiting the parts for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ID
11484091
Incident
Aug 9, 2020
Mileage
94,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating, there was an abnormally loud grinding sound while the transmission was shifting gears. The contact stated that the transmission was also grinding gears while decelerating. The contact stated that the failure had gone from intermittent to constant. The contact stated that the check transmission light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that the power train control module (PCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11476372
Incident
Apr 10, 2022
Mileage
80,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to drive, the transmission failed to shift properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID
11463826
Incident
Feb 28, 2022
Mileage
40,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 27, 2021

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 called the manufacturer who had opened a case regarding the matter. The contract was instructed to report their issue with NHTSA and to have the dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been officially been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact contacted the dealer who confirmed the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Consumer had their car evaluated by Ford and needs to add a couple more things that makes the car be safe to drive on the road.

NHTSA ID
11445142
Incident
Oct 27, 2021
Mileage
65,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle would shudder with a grinding noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The clutch was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The contact indicated that a second clutch replacement was performed however, recently the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

NHTSA ID
11440442
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
76,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the "Service Transmission Now" message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnostic results. The dealer informed the contact that the parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000

NHTSA ID
11437512
Incident
Sep 27, 2021
Mileage
97,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .