1988 Pontiac FIERO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
106,986 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
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:Gasoline | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline 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 10083576 · 2004-07-23 (July 23, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 91,096 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153437 · 2006-03-22 (March 22, 2006)
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 # 8…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,491 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182573 · 2007-02-14 (February 14, 2007)
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 R…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232275 · 2008-06-25 (June 25, 2008)
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 U…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,986 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765998 · 2002-08-21 (August 21, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 768049 · 2002-10-03 (October 3, 2002)
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN - 88-C-24 MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 768049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885328 · 2001-04-06 (April 6, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 895370 · 2001-08-29 (August 29, 2001)
WHEN VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK OF GAS THERE ARE FUEL AND AN OIL LEAKAGES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 895370 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 ↗