Ford Fiesta transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2019
157 of the 392 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Fiesta 2016–2019 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (103), 2017 (23), 2019 (21). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Fiesta transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21 | 20% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 10 | 29% | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 23 | 31% | 70k | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 103 | 58% | 70k | 20 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 20 · 2021: 21 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 3
Across the model years, half of the 106 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 40,000 and 95,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Transmission acting up. When I test drove the car in march 2017 I actually questioned the salesperson because I did not feel it was shifting normally - his response was "no this is the new transmission Ford is putting in, the best one there is." unfortunately my problems did not start right away but after about 18 months.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to leave her place of residence, the gear shift lever was placed in drive however, the vehicle started to go backwards and struck the siding of the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle made abnormal growling sounds as the transmission was shifting hard and was slipping between gears. There was no warning light illuminated.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic after multiple attempts to restart the vehicle.
No warning lamps. Sealed transmission. Transmission stalls as u round a corner, or first take off, and when u come to Complete stop the transmission will jerk or stall with a jerk. It's dangerous because the cars behind me almost rearend me thinking I'm gonna be taking off after I let off the brake and the transmission just sits still.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Nov 12, 2025
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Fiesta years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 103; 2017, 23; 2019, 21. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (58%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford Fiesta?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford Fiesta?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 67,649 miles across the model years; half of them between 40,000 and 95,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.