general problems of the 2016 Ford Fiesta - part 1

The transmission started slipping in 1st and 2nd gear.

I have come to find that this vehicle suffers from premature slave cylinder failure, there are roughly 62,000 miles on the vehicle. Typical failure is reported to Ford between 70,000 and 80,000 miles. First symptoms appeared at roughly 58,000 miles. As I am a single father and a full time communications worker, I was not able to address this issue immediately upon discovering the initial symptoms as it would need further diagnosis. Clutch hydraulic fluids appear to be well sealed and clean. The design flaw with this system should be relatively obvious to a major automobile manufacturer such as Ford. The excessive temperatures caused by the transmission can and will affect any hydraulic systems severely. There are no avenues in which the temperatures can escape due to the bell housing of the transmission encasing the slave cylinder. In my experience as a prior automotive technician, most manual transmission automobiles place the cylinder in a more reasonable location, for example, beside the break booster in a 1991 Dodge stealth. When observing the firewall in this location on this model of vehicle I can confidently say there is enough room to place a clutch slave cylinder in this location. The current placement appears to be for no other reason then planned obsolescence. Vehicle has stalled in traffic multiple times, cannot complete shifts due to clutch pedal sticking to floor. Inability to properly operate transmission as expected per mileage with a manual vehicle is a safety hazard. This is a safety concern due to limited ability to engage warning lights being that the shifter needs to be operated as well as the vehicle needing to be steered. Inability to depress the clutch to mechanical certainty limits the drivers ability to confidently navigate to a safe area to assess the vehicle's possible malfunctions. This limits the ability to warn other motorists on the roadways, which can cause accidents that may also cause injury/fatality depending on the speeds driven.

Symptoms: no-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light. Our symptoms and warning lights are consistent with Ford's Fiesta transmission control module recall, however the VIN for our car is not part of the original recall. We meet all of Ford's recall eligibility criteria: reported before June 30, 2025; vehicle is less than 10 years old; vehicle has fewer than 150,000 miles. By virtue of the symptoms, warning lights and meeting Ford's other criteria strongly suggest our VIN should be included in the recall.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the nhsta hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond as intended will not go into reverse and the vehicle hessites. Several warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced and the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance informed the contact his VIN was not included in the recall however the contact does not have the recall number. The failure mileage was 70,000.

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 customer was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the TSB or customer satisfaction program. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.

This car has a double clutch transmission that was done overseas evidently this car's transmission does not run right and I've had it tested out at a mechanic shop the transmission slips gears does not operate correctly I was told by the mechanic that is not a normal transmission it can cause an accident you put your foot on the gas the car will rev into the wrong speed stay keep the tachometer running in the red and could cause a serious accident to other people and that Ford will not fix it as it was manufactured incorrectly the first time this car is dangerous and now I'm stuck paying for a used car that could cause an accident Ford denies any culpability.

2016 Ford Fiesta with VIN: [xxx] with build date of 7/20/2015 at cuautitlan plant with 6 speed powershift auto transmission. Current miles on vehicle are 128,842. Ford motor company issued customer satisfaction program (csp) 14m02 on 6/14/2015. Since this date there have been 7 supplements to this program. The changes are that they are covering more vehicles with this known defective transmission. The first supplement covers vehicles with build date before 10/15/2014 and the most up to date supplement covers vehicles with build date before 6/30/2015. All of the supplements cover the same transmission. This is the transmission that my Fiesta has. I have spoken with the Ford vehicle concern team numerous times requesting to speak with stacy balzer, operating director, service engineering operations, Ford customer service division since she is the one that has been signing the updated supplements. Ford has issued technical service bulletin (TSB) 16-0129 that includes my specific vehicle. My complaint is that Ford motor company knows that my transmission is defective per TSB 16-0129 but the latest csp 14m02 supplement dates don’t currently cover my vehicle. My Fiesta would be covered if it was built 20 days earlier. I see this as an extremely shady form of business and instead of waiting until they issue another supplement that would probably cover my vehicle I have chosen to make a written complaint. The NHTSA website has 88 power train complaints towards a 2015 Ford Fiesta (currently being covered in csp 14m02) and has 86 power train complaints towards a 2016 Ford Fiesta. I have had the vehicle inspected at my local Ford dealership and they have stated that the issue is a defective transmission. A defective transmission that is not covered under csp 14m02 because of build date only. Thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, while the transmission was shifting between 1st and 2nd gear, the vehicle was shaking until the transmission had shifted to the higher gears. The contact sated that occasionally the vehicle failed to start intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the battery had been replaced by a friend approximately 7 times, and once by an o' riley’s within the past 2 years. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 80,100.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the vehicle failed to start as intended. . The contact stated that the vehicle had to be jumped started. The contact stated the transmission malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated after the vehicle started, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission misfired and the gears slipped. In addition, 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 the 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 at a later date. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recalls or programs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. While driving, the vehicle skipped third and fourth gears. The engine 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 her about the warranty coverage, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 122, 000.

Parked vehicle in space and in 1st gear. Clutch engages while fully depressed causing car to lose control and not able to stop.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, and as she was descending a grade in the road, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to slow down and the brakes went to the floor boards. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down. The contact stated that the check brakes warning was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she started to have problems with the vehicle power train. The vehicle could not be shifted into reverse (r) and when she was in drive (d) the vehicle would hesitate when shifting gears. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had not diagnosed any problems with the brakes. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph the engine began to smoke. The engine light was illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact then stated that 4 months after while driving the contact was depressing the accelerator and the vehicle would not pass 5 mph. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer was contacted and stated that next appointment was 2 months wait. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure milage was 86000. VIN tool confirmed no open recalls.

The car started to not reverse. Then took several times to start. Started shuddering while driving very slowly and it is extremely dangerous! I have two young children. I have been with out a vehicle for 2 months and its really affecting our lives. Ford charged me $283 to diagnosis it has a faulty clutch. Quoted $4100. I cant afford that since I cant even get to work with out my car. It should have a recall for my VIN. I have seen others with this same issue. Please take my complaint seriously and please help!!!!!.

It seems the clutch is bypassing when stopped at a stoplight or sign. You can pull out but you have to let the clutch pedal all the way up and then push it in again. If you set too long it will try to inch forward. The car only had 46,000 miles when it started. I have talked to other people and obviously Ford has a problem and doesn’t want to fix it.

2016 Ford Fiesta se has had a transmission/clutch problem. It is doing everything that the recall says it's suppose to cover and Ford is not willing to honor and fix it. It's jerking, shaking, and not accelerating properly.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the transmission would rev upon depression of the brake pedal as the power train malfunction indicator light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle had yet to serviced or diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and he was informed that there were no recall on the vehicle; he was given a case number. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

In September 2022, my vehicle wouldn’t shift. I took it to leith Ford in wendell, nc, who stated it was a faulty transmission control module, and that part is backordered, up to a year! I was told I could park it next to the others who had the same problem. I took the car to my home rather than leaving it at the company for a year, and it stalled out twice while driving. Now it will have to be towed when the part comes in.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission independently shifted into neutral(n). The contact stated that the transmission malfunction service now warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to experience the failure while driving to his residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,015.

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 the 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 stated that he continued to experience the failure and the vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission module to be replaced. The vehicle was being serviced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where the battery was replaced. However, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and the rpm was reeving up while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. However, the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission was not working as designed. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle accelerated abruptly. While changing gears at low speed, the vehicle was shaking and shuddering. While driving approximately 30 mph, the rpm raised up to 3,000 rpm. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a vapor valve replacement was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Driving at highway speeds and transmission goes into neutral unexpectedly. Loses power steering at this time also. This also occurs now at any speed. With this occurring there is a high probability of an accident that can lead to serious injury including death. Ford has known of this issue with these vehicles and will not recall them and fix the problems. The government needs to take this matter up and force Ford to fix the unsafe vehicles.

Transmission control module failed and driving is unsafe as lurching pick up in traffic and complete failure of transmission. No reverse or forward gear.

Defected transmissions were installed on these cars. Ford recalled the least number with the least loss, but they kept the rest with their defected transmissions which cost more money than the car’s value. Ford sold their cars with defected transmissions and they knew it!.

Transmission shutters and shifts late sometimes during acceleration from a stop. Lawsuit settled with Ford states 2016's are covered but dealership says its only up to 2015, which is the date of manufacturer on my vehicle. VIN check also does not show recall, but clearly states in lawsuit 2011 to 2016 are affected.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission would suddenly slip while driving at various speeds. The contact would let up off the accelerator pedal until the transmission realigned itself. The failure recurred several times per day. The failure had become more frequent. The hood ajar warning light would illuminate inadvertently. There were several other unknown electrical failures experienced. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who confirmed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact called the manufacturer and a case was opened. The contract was instructed to report the failure to NHTSA and to have the dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact’s son stated that the vehicle was unable to shift into reverse. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, diagnosed, and an unknown sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was unavailable.

There is a problem with certain module of the transmission, whenever you change/replace the battery, once you start the car again, it shows a system alert telling you " damaged transmission, immediate maintenance required". The car starts to act weird, it is not capable to switch gears and the transmission is not working properly overall. I've tried to approach the car dealer which is an official representative/branch of Ford and they are charging for the programming of the module whenever this happens( twice already). I strongly believe that we as a Ford owner shouldn't have to pay for something that is an error from the manufacturer.

While driving on the highway my cars throttle body stopped functioning. Having to try and pull over I got stuck in the middle of traffic. I shut the car off and started it again and everything seemed fine. During the same trip home I got stuck on a small two lane bridge twice for the same reason. After getting off the bridge it happened a fourth time on the highway again doing 70mph.

It was extremely difficult to engage into 1st and 2nd gear; the clutch just felt lose and it jerks.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and the transmission malfunction message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 57,000.

While driving to a traffic light before coming to a complete stop my car seemed to rev up after the shifting down then engine gets high when releasing brake and going about 15 mph before coming to the next traffic light then the check engine light appears and is steady as I'm driving to work there is a "hard shift" while going about 15-20 mph in city driving. . I was told verbally by a mechanic that my model car has had these types of issues such as:"automatic clutch" not performing properly in the past and my vehicle is out of warranty and not on the recall list.

Tl the contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. After recharging the battery and starting the vehicle, the message transmission malfunction was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer sutton Ford located at 21315 central Ave, matteson, IL 60443. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.