The biggest difference between the R160 and R143 is the Flexible Information and Notice Display (FIND) system on the R160s in place of static LED maps on the R143s and all A-Division New Technology fleet.

372 R160A cars (8313–8652 & 9943–9974) are configured as four-car sets and maintained at East New York Yard for the BMT Eastern Division.

[14] As part of a 2010 pilot program to increase security and capacity,[21][22] R160B cars 8713–8722 tested folding seats, CCTV, pivoted grabhandles, and looped stanchions.

Some of the remaining grabhandles and folding seats from the program have been reused to address a state of emergency in 2017,[25] but have been the subject of vandalism.

[26] In 2016, a non-advertised pilot program saw 20 R160 sets based out of Jamaica Yard testing onboard WiFi.

[27][28] That same year, many cars had their Arts for Transit boards replaced with LCD information screens to display public safety announcements, advertisements, and trivia.

These screens are similar to the ones onboard all R143 cars; however, they can display a range of colors instead of just red, orange, and green.

In 2018, R160A car 8395 had its truck suspension system replaced with carbon fiber reinforced plastic "efWING [ja]" leaf springs from Kawasaki, to determine the feasibility of them replacing the heavier coil spring suspension found on all other R160s.

The R160 cars began to receive CCTV security cameras in mid-2022 as part of a program to combat the rise of vandalism within the subway system.

[36] As of November 2021[update], the remaining 4-car sets will be equipped with CBTC for $11.9 million for use on the Eighth Avenue Line.

[41] Early on in the order, Alstom encountered significant start-up production problems since being awarded the base contract.

In addition, the Transit Authority rejected several car shells made earlier at their plant in Lapa, Brazil, near São Paulo, after discovering welding defects.

After Hurricane Sandy, R160B set 8738–8742 was damaged and required an extensive electrical reconstruction at Coney Island Shops.

A majority of the R160s have been given LED interior lighting, yellow-painted looped stanchions, traffic flow signage, and LCD information screens (that replaced the Arts-for-Transit cards).

[51][52][53] Two 4-car sets (8 cars) assigned to the L were later given the same exterior wrapping, LED interior lighting, yellow-painted looped stanchions, traffic flow signage, and LCD information screens (that replaced the Art-for-Transit cards), plus folding seats and pivoted grabhandles previously tested in 2010.

[54] After Hurricane Ida, R160B set 9108–9112 was damaged and required an extensive electrical reconstruction at Coney Island Shops.

[55] In early 2025, a disproportionately high number of R160s running on the E, F, and R developed wheel problems as a result of a track defect along one of these routes.