PONTIAC FIERO · model year

1988 PONTIAC FIERO

19 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1988PONTIACFIERO carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 FIERO is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1988 FIERO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

19
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
WHEELS:RIM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20080625ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 PONTIAC FIERO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE VAL COVER OF THE ENGINE. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT OIL WOULD DRIP ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSE A FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VAL COVER AND DRIP SHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,986.

Mileage: 106,986

20070214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

DEAR NHTSA, I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH GM ABOUT NECESSARY RECALL WORK ON AN 1988 PONTIAC FIERO WHILE REPAIRING SOME ITEMS ON THIS AUTO, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE UNIVERSITY GM DEALERSHIP IN DURHAM, NC AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN OFFICIALLY FROM GM WHETHER OR NOT THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE EVEN AFTER TWO MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE. THEY ONLY RECENTLY EVEN ORDERED THE RECALL KIT ONLY TO THEN FIND OUT THE PARTS IN THAT KIT WERE ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. NOW, THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO AND THAT THEIR POSITION IS THAT THE RECALL WORK APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND SO THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY WILL DO. I WOULD LIKE TO BOTH LODGE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THEIR INACTION AND INABILITY TO OFFICIALLY CONFIRM THIS VEHICLE'S RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND ALSO

20070214FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DEAR NHTSA, I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH GM ABOUT NECESSARY RECALL WORK ON AN 1988 PONTIAC FIERO WHILE REPAIRING SOME ITEMS ON THIS AUTO, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE UNIVERSITY GM DEALERSHIP IN DURHAM, NC AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL ON DECEMBER 16, 2006. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN OFFICIALLY FROM GM WHETHER OR NOT THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE EVEN AFTER TWO MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE. THEY ONLY RECENTLY EVEN ORDERED THE RECALL KIT ONLY TO THEN FIND OUT THE PARTS IN THAT KIT WERE ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. NOW, THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO AND THAT THEIR POSITION IS THAT THE RECALL WORK APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND SO THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY WILL DO. I WOULD LIKE TO BOTH LODGE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THEIR INACTION AND INABILITY TO OFFICIALLY CONFIRM THIS VEHICLE'S RECALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND ALSO

20060322ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BECAME LOUD AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THE BELT TENSIONER, WATER PUMP, STARTER (REPLACED FOUR TIMES), VALVE COVER GASKET (REPLACED TWICE), OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, HEATER HOSES, RADIATOR HOSES, AND RADIATOR FAN MOTOR WERE REPLACED. LAST WEEK THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE DEALER CONCERNING A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 89V232000 ON THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, ADDED AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT SHIELD, REMOVED DUST SHIELDS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND REPLACED A PART OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE RECALL REMEDY AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY THE CONTACT AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND DUST SHIELD. HOWEVER, THE MANUFAC

Mileage: 114,491

20040723ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

RECALLS 89V232000 AND 90V104000. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT ABOVE RECALLS MENTIONED ON THE INTERNET. MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THAT THE RECALLS WERE OVER, AND VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME ANTIFREEZE LEAKING AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

Mileage: 91,096

20021022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN - 88-C-24 MR

20020823ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 1988 C 24 IS NOT IN EFFECT DESPITE FACT THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS NEVER DONE NOR WAS I ADVISED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

20010829ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK OF GAS THERE ARE FUEL AND AN OIL LEAKAGES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20010829FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHEN VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK OF GAS THERE ARE FUEL AND AN OIL LEAKAGES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20010406ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE 88C24; WHERE DEALERSHIP IS WILLING TO FIX ONLY A PART OF LISTED COMPONENTS ON VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

19990113EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

THE MECHANISM TO RAISE AND LOWER THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUES TO FAIL. REAR BRAKES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

19990113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE MECHANISM TO RAISE AND LOWER THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUES TO FAIL. REAR BRAKES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

19980204EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHT MECHANISM CONTINUALLY FAILS, IT WILL NOT RAISE OR LOWER. IN ADDITION, PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKES. *AK

19980204SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

THE HEADLIGHT MECHANISM CONTINUALLY FAILS, IT WILL NOT RAISE OR LOWER. IN ADDITION, PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKES. *AK

19980126ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY DURING RECALL CAMPAIGN 88C24

19970724ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

ENGINE FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR DUE TO OLD PCV HOSE STILL BEING CONNECTED TO AIR CLEANER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE AIR AND FAILURE OF ENGINE.

19950501SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

THE BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE CALIPER (REAR), THE RIM WAS DAMAGED , THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BRACKET PADS WERE NO GOOD,AND THE BRAKE PAD ON THE LEFT REAR WAS SPLIT

19950501SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

THE BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE CALIPER (REAR), THE RIM WAS DAMAGED , THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BRACKET PADS WERE NO GOOD,AND THE BRAKE PAD ON THE LEFT REAR WAS SPLIT

19950501WHEELS:RIM

THE BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE CALIPER (REAR), THE RIM WAS DAMAGED , THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BRACKET PADS WERE NO GOOD,AND THE BRAKE PAD ON THE LEFT REAR WAS SPLIT

Compare 1988PONTIACFIERO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1988 PONTIAC FIERO have?
The 1988 PONTIAC FIERO has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 PONTIAC FIERO?
The most-complained component for the 1988 PONTIAC FIERO is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER.
Is the 1988 PONTIAC FIERO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.