FaultScore report
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 1986 Pontiac Fiero with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
28
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
REAR DISC BRAKES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUMMARY:MANY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS REPORTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES,AND SIX FIRES RESULTED IN SIX INJURIES.===
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR HUB CARRIER FAILURE
REAR DISC BRAKES
SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
REAR BRAKES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:GMREVIEWED THE MATTER AND...HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED BRAKE CONDITION THAT REQUIRESFIELD CORRECTION.ANALYSIS:IT APPEARS THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATION SYSTEM OR THEPISTONS WITHIN THE CALIPER CAN SEIZE PROHIBITING REAR DISC BRAKE FUNC-TION.A SEIZED CALIPERS CAN RESULT IN UNEVEN BRAKE OPERATION (PULL)AND/OR TOTAL LOSS OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FUNCTION.STATUS:TEST REQUEST AT ETF AND NEAR COMPLETION.AWAITING GM RESPONSE TO JUNE 17, 1988 INFORMATION REQUEST.===
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the parking brake system may contain a non-functional parking brake adjuster. This may result in a gradual loss of parking brake effectiveness as the rear disc pads wear. As a result, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle on a steep incline. If the vehicle is parked with the transmission in neutral or a forward gear, the vehicle may roll away and result in personal injury or property damage. Correction: A new parking brake adjuster will be installed.
Engine
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8 LITRE,6 CYLINDER ENGINES. AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL HAVE A MANIFOLD DEFLECTOR INSTALLED, A PCV SYSTEM MODIFICATION, A MINOR CHANGE TO DECK LID SEALING AND A GENERAL INSPECTION (AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY) OF UNDERHOOD FLUID AND WIRING SYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, 1985-86 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL HAVE A NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD INSTALLED TO BRING THEM UP TO 1987-88 SPECIFICATIONS.
Engine
AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE RELATED FACTORS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: A MANIFOLD BARRIER WILL BE INSTALLED, DECK LID SEALING WILL BE CHANGED AND UNDERHOOD FLUID AND WIRING SYSTEMS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AS NECESSARY. ADDITIONALLY, 1984-86 VEHICLES WILL HAVE A NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD INSTALLED TO BRING THEM UP TO 1987-88 SPECIFICATIONS. NOTE: 2.5L 4 CYL ENGINES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, INJURYING ONE PERSON. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE METAL IN THE LOCKING PORTION OF THE SEATBELT SNAPPED AND IT FLEW OFF AND SMACKED ME IN THE FACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT AND THE PLASTIC CASING AROUD THE BELT BROKE WHEN IT DID THIS.
NHTSA complaint #706711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
APPARENTLY, THIS CAR IS INFAMOUS FOR FIRES, BUT I WAS NOT WARNED UPON PURCHASE 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS, PLUS I HAD SPENT CLOSE TO $400 ON REPAIRS AFTER PURCHASE AND IT DID PASS SAFETY INSPECTION 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BURSTING INTO FLAMES
NHTSA complaint #706070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SPARK PLUG WIRE CAME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #479701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE PINE NEEDLES AND LEAVES WERE IGNITED BY A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TT
NHTSA complaint #979103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM. I SEE IN YOUR DATABASE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 4 RECALLS ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10882360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RECALL TO MY 1986 PONTIAC FIERO (VIN# 1G2PF3795GP23433) WAS NEVER COMPLETED DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS A SERIOUS RECALL, AS IT INVOLVED A POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. GM RECALL NUMBER 88-C-24A. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 6/21/2006, UNAWARE THAT THE RECALL WAS NEVER DONE. I TRIED TO GET PONTIAC TO COVER THIS RECALL BUT THEY REFUSE. FOR MY SAFETY, I'M MOVING FORWARD AND PAYING FOR THE RECALL TO BE DONE FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY. I WOULD LIKE SOME SORT OF ASSISTANCE FROM PONTIAC.
NHTSA complaint #10161182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM OF THESE VEHICLE'S MAY CONTAIN A NONFUNCTIONAL PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN 91V055000; THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR HER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10108839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 90V104000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. WHEN THE TRUNK IS OPENED IN THE RAIN WATER DRIPS THROUGH THE TRUNK ONTO THE OXYGEN SENSOR. A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED, BUT THE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10064605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE DUMPED OIL FROM THE ENGINE UPON STARTING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY RECALL INFORMATION FROM EITHER DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10048757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10048784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE CONSUMER STATED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT WORK. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL, IT WOULD ROLL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THAT THIS WAS CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO PASS STATE INSPECTION.*AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10033772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE 88C24, MANFACTURER HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE HAD NO PARTS. ALSO, HAD BEEN CALLING DEALER, PONTIAC CUSTOMER CARE CENTER FOR ABOUT 120 DAYS, AND NO RESPONSE. RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #895792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, INJURYING ONE PERSON. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE FROZE SOLID AND NOT WORKING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING THEM IS A BAD SYSTEM, AS STATED BY THE BRAKE REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #734832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING AWAY. I GOT A RECALL ON IT. PONTIAC SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT ANYTIME IN THE FUTURE THAT I WANTED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS BEING SAVED AS A COLLECTABLE. THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE IT WAS SAFETY RELATED THERE WAS NO TIME FRAME. NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID FIXING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #731815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL ON THE ENGINE, AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM FROM VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE TWICE, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #832053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OIL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN ORIGIN. LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT UPPER PART OF ENGINE DOWN TO PULLY AND BELTS. ALSO WIRES LOCATED NEAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN ENGINE ARE EXTREMELY HOT, DISCOLORED AND BRITTLE HARNESS..CONCERN FOR ? OF FIRE, ESPECIALLY WITH OIL LEAKAGE NEAR BY...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON..AND IS UNKNOWN PROBLEM TO THE DEALER
NHTSA complaint #708734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
OIL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN ORIGIN. LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT UPPER PART OF ENGINE DOWN TO PULLY AND BELTS. ALSO WIRES LOCATED NEAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN ENGINE ARE EXTREMELY HOT, DISCOLORED AND BRITTLE HARNESS..CONCERN FOR ? OF FIRE, ESPECIALLY WITH OIL LEAKAGE NEAR BY...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON..AND IS UNKNOWN PROBLEM TO THE DEALER
NHTSA complaint #708734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN ORIGIN. LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT UPPER PART OF ENGINE DOWN TO PULLY AND BELTS. ALSO WIRES LOCATED NEAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN ENGINE ARE EXTREMELY HOT, DISCOLORED AND BRITTLE HARNESS..CONCERN FOR ? OF FIRE, ESPECIALLY WITH OIL LEAKAGE NEAR BY...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON..AND IS UNKNOWN PROBLEM TO THE DEALER
NHTSA complaint #708734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1986 PONTIAC FIERO THAT THE DEALER SAYS IS NOT IN THERE DATA BASE AND HAS NOT HAD THE RECALLS DONE TO IT I HAVE THE RECALL #S THE DATES AND A VERY DETAILED OUT-LINE OF THE RECALLS THAT WERE TO BE DONE. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT MY CAR AND THE TSB BULLITIONS I HAVE AND SAID THE CAR CLEARLY HAS NOT HAD THE RECALLS DONE. THE DEALER AND GM CLAIM IT'S UP TO THE OTHER ONE WHO HAS TO LOOK AT IT THE DEALER AT FIRST SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED. BUT WHEN I READ THE TSB TO HIM, AND GAVE HIM THE CAMPAIGN NUMBERS AND READ FROM THEM VEBATUM HE SAID THECOMPUTER ONLY GOES BACK TEN YEARS! AND I READ TO HIM "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE,AGE OF VEHICLE,OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD." AND SAID TO CALL PONTIAC CUSTOMER CARES 800 PM CARES. THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING ITS UP TO THE DEALER. WE CANT MAKE THEM LOOK AT YOUR CAR . THEN I CALLED THE DEALER BACK AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS IF THEY DO THE WORK, GM MAY NOT PAY THEM FOR WORK PERFORMED. CALLED BACK PONTIAC CARES THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF IT. I SAID I WAS GOING TO CONTACT THE NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT AND GM SAID GO AHEAD. SO THIS IS WHERE IM AT ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY NEEDED AS THE CAR HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME DAVID W ANDREGG. *RECALL 89V232.
NHTSA complaint #707648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE METAL IN THE LOCKING PORTION OF THE SEATBELT SNAPPED AND IT FLEW OFF AND SMACKED ME IN THE FACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT AND THE PLASTIC CASING AROUD THE BELT BROKE WHEN IT DID THIS.
NHTSA complaint #706711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
APPARENTLY, THIS CAR IS INFAMOUS FOR FIRES, BUT I WAS NOT WARNED UPON PURCHASE 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS, PLUS I HAD SPENT CLOSE TO $400 ON REPAIRS AFTER PURCHASE AND IT DID PASS SAFETY INSPECTION 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BURSTING INTO FLAMES
NHTSA complaint #706070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
4 SPEED SHIFTER ASSY WILL NOT ENGAGE BACK UP LIGHT SWITCH AND IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR AT TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED SHIFTER TWICE, THIS BEING THE 3RD ONE FOR THE CAR. EACH TIME THE FAILURE HAS BEEN DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR ON TWO RIVITS COMING LOOSE ON FORWARD RIGHT SIDE OF ASSY AND THE SUBSQUENTAL WEAR OF SHIFT EGAGEMENT ARM MECHANISM FOR REVERSE GEAR. UNLESS YOU HOLD THE GEARSHIFT ARM IN THE FULL REVEARSE POSITION, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY BACKUP LIGHTS. AT TIMES THE SHIFTING MECHANISM WILL JAM AND YOU CANNOT SHIFT .
NHTSA complaint #704123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING OIL IS GETTING INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SMOKE. SMOKE IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THERE IS AN OIL SPILLAGE WHICH IS GETTING INTO THE PASSENGERS COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #834675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
UNABLE TO RECEIVE PROPER RECALL WORK ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #543207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, SET EMERGENCY BRAKE; SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HAD EMERGENCY BRAKE REPAIRED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #813090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES FAILED TWICE, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #515228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SPARK PLUG WIRE CAME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #479701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.