RoadVitals

1985 Pontiac Fiero

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Jul 26, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Pontiac Fiero, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1448.3%
  • Brakes517.2%
  • Driver assistance26.9%
  • Transmission26.9%
  • Powertrain (other)13.4%
  • Suspension13.4%
  • Visibility13.4%
  • Heating & air conditioning13.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V055000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Apr 11, 1991
179,036 units potentially affected
The defect: PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
The risk: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
90V104000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Apr 23, 1990
102,162 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

C90001ClosedInvestigation

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Feb 21, 1990
Closed Jul 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89022ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 31, 1989
Closed Jul 13, 1990

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINELed to recall 90V104000
PE89023ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Dec 13, 1988
Closed Mar 31, 1989

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88036ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Jul 22, 1988
Closed Aug 30, 1991

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 18
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 26, 2008

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 ID
10235825
Incident
Jul 16, 2008
Engine
Filed Mar 17, 2008

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 ID
10221399
Incident
Feb 18, 2008
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 2, 2002

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 ID
10009192
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2001
Fire reported

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 ID
896309
Incident
Sep 13, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2001

PONTIAC REFUSES TO PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000. THEIR POSITION IS THE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 1990, WELL BEFORE THE RECALL DATE, AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED. SMAIL AUTOMOTIVE REFUSES TO INSPECT THE CAR TO VERIFY THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THEY ARE RELYING ON INACCURATE INFORMATION FROM THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE PONTIAC TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN TO A GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME. *AK

NHTSA ID
749182
Incident
Jul 5, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2000

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 ID
875713
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 1999

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE. THE PADS WERE WORN OUT. IT WOULD FAIL TO HOLD WHEN ENGAGED. CAN ROLL IN ON INCLINE. 91V055000

NHTSA ID
843581
Incident
Jul 23, 1993
Engine
Filed Jul 21, 1999

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 ID
842871
Incident
May 15, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Fiero by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996100—
1994100—
1991100—
1988133147.7
1987153352.0
1986264770.4
1985Viewing184671.0
1984304871.9
1983002—
1982001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.