1987 Pontiac FIERO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
133,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve): 1; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 2001: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10553825 · 2013-11-26 (November 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10553825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10621526 · 2014-08-11 (August 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482629 · 1995-03-29 (March 29, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LEAK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506525 · 1996-07-21 (July 21, 1996)
REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR FIVE TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741627 · 2001-02-27 (February 27, 2001)
I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF PONTIAC WILL STILL HONOR THE PONTIAC FIERO RECALL, PARTICULIARLY THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961364 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
PARKING BRAKE STICKS THROUGH STRETCH CABLE. CAUSING AN INABILITY TO RELEASE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970763 · 1995-08-21 (August 21, 1995)
THE SUN ROOF GLASS RUBBER AND GLASS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE LEAK WHEN RAIN ON THE DRIVER SIDE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970763 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗90V104000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Reported: 1990-04-23 (April 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: AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗