Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Parking Brake. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports8 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
30 reports
51,000 miles · Dec 11, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIERO (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WOULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND ENGINE BLOCK. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIERO (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WOULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND ENGINE BLOCK. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #10555740
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2013
EngineFire
A FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY 1984 PONTIAC FIERO WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY DETERMINED AN OIL LIKE SUBSTANCE WAS SPRAYED ON THE MANIFOLD. MY FRIEND WAS ARRESTED FOR ARSON & I WAS ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL SOLICITATION. AFTER GOING THROUGH THE COURT PROCEDURES AND BEIN…
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A FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY 1984 PONTIAC FIERO WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY DETERMINED AN OIL LIKE SUBSTANCE WAS SPRAYED ON THE MANIFOLD. MY FRIEND WAS ARRESTED FOR ARSON & I WAS ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL SOLICITATION. AFTER GOING THROUGH THE COURT PROCEDURES AND BEING CONVICTED OF A FELONY I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM PONTIAC RECALLING MY CAR FOR POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. THE CAR WAS ALREADY GONE THOUGH & I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMPENSATION AND HAVE HAD A FELONY RECORD FOLLOWING ME FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS! I WANT SOMETHING DONE TO HELP IN THIS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533104
40,100 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A 1984 PONTIAC FIERO ON APRIL, 4 2003. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS AUTO. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 89V232000 CONCERNING ENGINE FIRE APPLIES TO THIS AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SAFETY RECALL AND DETERMINED THE REQUIRED WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON MY AUTO…
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I PURCHASED A 1984 PONTIAC FIERO ON APRIL, 4 2003. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS AUTO. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 89V232000 CONCERNING ENGINE FIRE APPLIES TO THIS AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SAFETY RECALL AND DETERMINED THE REQUIRED WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON MY AUTO. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL EITHER HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, OR THAT IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY AUTO. BY THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ALL 1984 FIERO'S WERE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE VIN NUMBER OF MY AUTO IS [XXX]. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE IF THE ABOVE RECALL DOES OR DOES NOT APPLY TO MY AUTO. IF IT DOES, IT APPEARS THAT I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING PONTIAC TO PERFORM THE SPECIFIED SERVICE TO THIS AUTOMOBILE. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10033074
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
RECALL 89 V 232 000 ENGINE. CONSUNER STATES THAT THE DEALER ( TOM WOOD PPONTIAC INDIANOPOLIS, IN 317-352-9311) IS REFUSING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8018604
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
CONSUMER STATES HE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTDUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-89-165)*JB
NHTSA ODI #562258
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD KNOCKING/RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BLOCK IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONNECTING ROD IS ABOUT TO COME APART , I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AFTER I FOUND A CAMPAIGN ON THE PONTAIC FIERO ENGINES. AND THE CANT TELL ME IF THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED OR NOT THEY JUST TOLD ME THERE IS NO OPEN CAMPAIGN ON THE VEH…
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THE VEHICLE HAS A LOUD KNOCKING/RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BLOCK IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONNECTING ROD IS ABOUT TO COME APART , I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AFTER I FOUND A CAMPAIGN ON THE PONTAIC FIERO ENGINES. AND THE CANT TELL ME IF THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED OR NOT THEY JUST TOLD ME THERE IS NO OPEN CAMPAIGN ON THE VEHICLE AND I ALSO CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON THE CAR. THE VECHICLE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME NOISE AS THE CAMPAIGN STATES.
NHTSA ODI #728851
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Unknown Or Other
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ENGINE IN THIS FIERO WAS ONE OF THOSE RECALLED. NO SAFETY DEFECT, REQUESTS RECALL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720033
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUSING THE IGNITION SYSTEM NOT TO WORK. NLM
NHTSA ODI #783839
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
PONTIAC (800 PM-CARES) TOLD ME I HAD TWO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN CALLED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999, THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE (NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE YET). WHEN CALLED IN MARCH OF 1998, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO VIN RECORDS FOR ANY 1980S CARS. LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO RECALL WITHOUT PON…
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PONTIAC (800 PM-CARES) TOLD ME I HAD TWO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN CALLED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999, THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE (NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE YET). WHEN CALLED IN MARCH OF 1998, THEY SAID THEY HAD NO VIN RECORDS FOR ANY 1980S CARS. LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO RECALL WITHOUT PONTIAC AUTHORIZATION. MORE THAN 25 OTHER PONTIAC FIERO OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH ATTEMPTING TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
DUE TO AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, THERE IS AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF CONNECTING ROD FAILURE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8
C90001 · Rear Disc Brakes
Opened Feb 21, 1990 · Closed Jul 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA88036 · Rear Disc Brakes
Opened Jul 22, 1988 · Closed Aug 30, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.
PE88033 · Throttle Cable Binding
Opened Mar 10, 1988 · Closed May 6, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
===
DP88002 · Tie Rod Breakage
Opened Oct 7, 1987 · Closed May 18, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
DP87023 · Engine Fires
Opened Jul 17, 1987 · Closed Oct 19, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FIRES
EA87008 · Rear Brakes
Opened Dec 17, 1986 · Closed Jul 22, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.===
EA86021 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 18, 1986 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
SUMMARY: AMONG 135 COMPLAINTS, 122 FIRES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. POSSIBLECAUSES INCLUDE 13 DUE TO COOLANT LEAKS, 16 FROM FUEL LEAKS, 8 CAUSED BYBATTERY CABLE RUBBING ON ENGINE BLOCK,26 DUE TO OIL LEAKS RESULTINGFROM CONNECTING ROD FAILURE, 12 FROM ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORTS, AND 59 UN-IDENTIFIED.AS OF 12/14/87, 238 FIRE REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.STATUS:TEST REQUEST SENT TO ETF 12/11/86. FIRST IR SENT 8/28/86,RESPONSE DATED 10/30/86. SECOND IR SENT 12/11/86, PARTIAL IR RESPONSEDATED 2/5/87.REMAINDER OF RESPONSE DATED 5/12/87. RECALL REQUESTSENT TO GM ON 9/8/87.GM RESPONDED WITH RECALL 87V-181 ON 11/25/87.NHTSA INTENDS TO INITIATE AN AUDIT OF THIS RECALL IN THE FALL OF 1988.===
PE85016 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Dec 3, 1984 · Closed Mar 22, 1985
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
1984 Pontiac Fiero Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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