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1985 Pontiac Fiero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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 18 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Parking Brake. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

GM WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY WON'T HELP ME. IT HAS NOT BEEN THROUGH ANY OF THE 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALLS APPLICABLE TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235825

115,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS EXHAUST LEAK. PER VIN # RECALL 88C24 APPLIES TO VEHICLE, I'VE READ THE RECALL INFO, AND THERE ARE NO UPDATED PARTS INSTALLED. IVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE CONTACTED PONTIAC THEY SAY THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. YET PER THE INFO IT DO…

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VEHICLE HAS EXHAUST LEAK. PER VIN # RECALL 88C24 APPLIES TO VEHICLE, I'VE READ THE RECALL INFO, AND THERE ARE NO UPDATED PARTS INSTALLED. IVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE CONTACTED PONTIAC THEY SAY THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. YET PER THE INFO IT DOES APPLIY AND WAS NOT DONE, PONTIAC COULD NOT TELL ME IF IT WAS DONE PER THERE RECORDS. I'VE GOT A FILE # AT PONTIAC 71-611369143

NHTSA ODI #10221399

80,000 miles · May 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO PONTIAC'S PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #88-C-24 WHICH I CURRENTLY HAVE A COPY OF SAME. THE RECALL ADDRESSES COOLANT LEAKS, OIL LEAKS, AND IMPROPER SEALING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LID ALLOWING FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT (LEFT) EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY MANIFOLD IS CRACKED DUE TO SUCH DECK LID FA…

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I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO PONTIAC'S PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #88-C-24 WHICH I CURRENTLY HAVE A COPY OF SAME. THE RECALL ADDRESSES COOLANT LEAKS, OIL LEAKS, AND IMPROPER SEALING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LID ALLOWING FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT (LEFT) EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY MANIFOLD IS CRACKED DUE TO SUCH DECK LID FAILURE. IN CONTACTING PONTIAC(GM), THEY ALSO STATE THAT EITHER MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE RECALL(NO RECALL CAMPAIGN STICKER ARE ATTACHED TO MY CAR), OR THAT THE DOCUMENT I POSSESS IS FRAUDULENT. PONTIAC WILL NOT ANSWER MY LETTERS IN WRITTEN FORMAT, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO DO SO. THEY ALSO STATE THAT THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER(88-C-24) DOES NOT EXIST IN THEIR FILES. I NEED HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761457

NHTSA ODI #10009192

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

RECALLS 89 V 232 000/ENGINE AND 90 V 104 000/ENGINE: VEHICLE HAD AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896309

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STARTED CAR AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A CAR WITHOUT A MUFFLER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE RECALL CAMPAIN HAD EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875713

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR MFR. RECALL 88C-28, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND NHTSA RECALL # 90V-104000, ENGINE. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO LONG AGO. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842871

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

MY CAR STARTED TO DEVELOP WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK FROM NORMAL WEAR & TEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL EXHAUST SPECIALTY SHOPS (I.E. COLE MUFFLER, MIDAS, ETC.) TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT MY EXPENSE WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE ONE OF THE GARAGES H…

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MY CAR STARTED TO DEVELOP WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK FROM NORMAL WEAR & TEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL EXHAUST SPECIALTY SHOPS (I.E. COLE MUFFLER, MIDAS, ETC.) TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT MY EXPENSE WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE ONE OF THE GARAGES HAD TOLD ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM (MANUFACTURER DEFECT) ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE & MODEL & THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER THEY HELPED ME VERY LITTLE & INSISTED THAT I MAKE 700.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS MYSELF TO CORRECT IT. DISCOURAGED & UPSET I TRIED TO CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS MYSELF DIRECT. GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT EVEN ADMIT THAT THERE HAS EVER BEEN ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE & HAS DONE ABSOLUTLY NOTHING TO HELP ME OR RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. (MY COMPLAINT / CASE NUMBER WITH GM IS #99027524) ON 12/31/98 WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN TO VISIT RELATIVES THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE & EXHAUST FUMES & AT THAT POINT I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. AFTER PULLING OVER & MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP I WAS TOLD THAT IT JUST MAY HAVE BURNED THROUGH & WAS NOT ON FIRE. ALL I WANT IS SOME HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. TO DATE MY COMPLAINTS GO UN-ANSWERED. I AM NOW DEALING WITH CONSTANT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT & MAKING MYSELF & PASSENGERS SICK TO OUR STOMACHES WITH THE CONSTANT CARBON MONOXIDE SMELL & YET FACE THE RISK OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU PEOPLE MAY BE ABLE TO GIVE ME IN GETTING THIS SITUATION SETTLED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. I ALSO SEE AFTER SEARCHING OVER YOUR DATABASE FOR RECALL INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE PARKING BRAKE ALSO AN ITEM THAT HASN'T WORKED ON MY CAR FOR YEARS!!! AGAIN GENERAL MOTORS, PONTIC, & THEIR RELATED DEALERS HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS BEING AN ACTUAL COMPLAINT AND/OR RECALL AT ANY TIME! IT JUST SEEMS IRONIC THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP IN ANY WAY

NHTSA ODI #703183

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TOOK TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER BROKE PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND IS CHARGING CONSUMER FOR FIXING VEHICLE UNDER A RECALL THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED THE FIRST TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809416

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE OVERHEATS, MELTING WIRES.

NHTSA ODI #511341

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

CV JOINTS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #511271

Official recalls

3

91V055000 · Parking Brake:conventional

Apr 11, 1991

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.

Remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.

90V104000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Apr 23, 1990

PCV GROMMET OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LEAKS, PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILURES BREAKING THROUGH ENGINE WALL CAUSING OIL SPILLAGE, FUEL RAIL LEAKS, COOLANT LEAKS, ROCKER COVER OIL LEAKS, AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, COULD CAUSE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.

89V232000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Dec 28, 1989

DUE TO AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, THERE IS A RISK OF 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

6

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

EA89022 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 31, 1989 · Closed Jul 13, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

SUMMARY:MANY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS REPORTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES,AND SIX FIRES RESULTED IN SIX INJURIES.===

PE89023 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Dec 13, 1988 · Closed Mar 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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.

DP88002 · Tie Rod Breakage

Opened Oct 7, 1987 · Closed May 18, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

TIE ROD BREAKAGE

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.===