1984 Pontiac FIERO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
45,550 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Engine: 2; Parking Brake:Conventional: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
1995: 6; 1996: 7; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2013: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10033074 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
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 INCLUD…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533104 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)
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 FO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10533104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555740 · 2013-12-11 (December 11, 2013)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478115 · 1995-01-07 (January 7, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (87V-181). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484017 · 1995-07-11 (July 11, 1995)
ENGINE CONNECTING ROD FAILED,CAUSING FIRE MATERIAL TO OVERHEAT/DETERIORATE PRIOR TO RECALL (89V-232).
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484886 · 1995-08-09 (August 9, 1995)
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE TO 35 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500788 · 1996-01-25 (January 25, 1996)
REPLACED ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502074 · 1996-03-05 (March 5, 1996)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502074 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V181000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1987-12-01 (December 1, 1987)
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: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V232000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Reported: 1989-12-28 (December 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: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V055000 · Parking Brake:Conventional
Reported: 1991-04-11 (April 11, 1991)
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗