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1985 Pontiac FieroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 1985 Pontiac Fiero, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints185 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage98kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 26, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Pontiac Fiero has problems

18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling145
Parking brake40
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control20
Power train20
Electrical system10
Visibility10
Equipment10
Fuel system, gasoline10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1985 Pontiac Fiero recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Parking brake: conventional

Recall 91V-055 · Apr 11, 1991 · 179,036 vehicles

Risk. PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Fiero year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fiero median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'91'94'96
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Pontiac Fiero, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESC90001 · closed Jul 31, 1991
    No recall
  2. TIE ROD BREAKAGEDP88002 · closed May 18, 1988
    No recall
  3. REAR BRAKESEA87008 · closed Jul 22, 1988
    No recall
  4. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  5. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA89022 · closed Jul 13, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-104
  6. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE89023 · closed Mar 31, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Fiero owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

GM WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY WON'T HELP ME. IT HAS NOT BEEN THROUGH ANY OF THE 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALLS APPLICABLE TO IT. *TR
Complaint 10235825 · Jul 26, 2008
VEHICLE HAS EXHAUST LEAK. PER VIN # RECALL 88C24 APPLIES TO VEHICLE, I'VE READ THE RECALL INFO, AND THERE ARE NO UPDATED PARTS INSTALLED. IVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE CONTACTED PONTIAC THEY SAY THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE…
Complaint 10221399 · Mar 17, 2008 · 115,000 miles
I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO PONTIAC'S PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #88-C-24 WHICH I CURRENTLY HAVE A COPY OF SAME. THE RECALL ADDRESSES COOLANT LEAKS, OIL LEAKS, AND IMPROPER SEALING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LID ALLOWING FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT (LEFT) EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY MANIFOLD IS…
Complaint 10009192 · May 2, 2002 · 80,000 miles

Own a 1985 Fiero?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.