RoadVitals

1987 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.
15
Latest Aug 11, 2014
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.
3
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Fiero, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Engine1155.0%
  • Electrical315.0%
  • Transmission210.0%
  • Visibility15.0%
  • Other / unspecified15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%
  • Steering15.0%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
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
89V232000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Dec 28, 1989
244,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DUE TO AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, THERE IS A RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.
The risk: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE 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.

PE89005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR HUB CARRIER FAILURE

Opened Oct 18, 1988
Closed Dec 29, 1988

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
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
DP88002ClosedDefect Petition

TIE ROD BREAKAGE

Opened Oct 7, 1987
Closed May 18, 1988

TIE ROD BREAKAGE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2014

I AM BOTH COMPLAINING AND REQUESTING HELP. I HAVE A 1987 PONTIAC FIERO V6 WHICH WAS NEVER TAKEN IN FOR RECALL WORK AND AS A RESULT HAS SEVERE OVERHEATING ISSUES AND WILL OCCASIONALLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL HITTING THE EXHAUST HEADERS. SAW THE RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE SO I TRIED TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BUT THEY SAID THAT THEIR COMPUTERS NO LONGER HAVE RECORDS OF CARS AS OLD AS MINE AND THEREFORE THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP WHICH LOOKED UP THE NHTSA RECALL BULLETINS 88-C-23 AND 88-C-24 WHICH AFFECTS THE 1987 FIERO V6 REGARDING ENGINE FIRES BUT SAID THAT SINCE THE FIERO IS TOO OLD THE VIN DATA IS NO LONGER IN THE GM DATABASE THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THE RECALL WORK. I REALIZE IT IS AN OLDER CAR BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR TOTALED. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THEY COULD GIVE ME THE RECALL PARTS I WOULD DO IT MYSELF, BUT THEY WANT O CHARGE ME AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR PARTS THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. MY CAR HAS CLEARLY NEVER HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE, IT HAS NONE OF THE RECALL REPLACEMENT PARTS IN IT. ALL I WANT IS FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO HELP ME FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621526
Incident
Mar 30, 2014
Mileage
133,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2013

I CALLED PONTIAC TODAY ABOUT A RECALL THEY ISSUED THESE CARS. ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENT THEY SENT THERE DEALERSHIP CARS MY CAR FALLS IN THIS RECALL AND THEY ARE STATING THEY HAVE NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE, I KNOW THIS IS A OLDER CAR BUT THIS CAN STILL LEAD TO A SERIOUS MATTER OF WHY THEY DID THE RECALL AN ENGINE FIRE!! I TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS AND I WANT TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THE CAR SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ANY RECALL BEING COMPLETED. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10553825
Incident
Nov 26, 2013
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2001

I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF PONTIAC WILL STILL HONOR THE PONTIAC FIERO RECALL, PARTICULIARLY THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS.*AK

NHTSA ID
741627
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 1999

I WOULD LIKE A LIST OF ALL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN GET IT FIXED. THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME THAT THE TEMP GAUGE HAS WENT OUT OF THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY PROFESSIONAL THAT IT IS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN WIRED FROM THE MANAFACTUOR. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
711992
Incident
Aug 25, 1999
Other / unspecified
Filed May 17, 1999

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DO SOME WORK ON SAID VEHICLE I BEGAN TO JACK IT UP WITH THE SCISSOR TYPE JACK PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER RAISING THE VEHICLE BODY ABOUT 3 INCHES THE SCREW THREAD ON THE JACK STRIPPED OUT OF FITTING IN THE JACK DROPPING THE VEHICLE. WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT OR DAMAGE DONE I FEEL THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN HIGHER OR ONE OF THE TIRES REMOVED WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
706578
Steering
Filed Sep 17, 1998

BROKEN CONNECTOR ROD. PART WAS RECALLED IN 1990.

NHTSA ID
541520
Incident
Jul 1, 1997
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 7, 1997

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED FOUR TIMES. REPLACED CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IN ADDITION, EGR/DISTRIBUTOR ALSO FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
518698
Incident
Apr 15, 1996
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 7, 1997

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED FOUR TIMES. EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, EGR/DISTRIBUTOR/STARTER FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
518697
Incident
May 1, 1991

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
1987Viewing153352.0
1986264770.4
1985184671.0
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.