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1988 Pontiac FieroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 1988 Pontiac Fiero, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints130 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage107kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 25, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Pontiac Fiero has problems

13 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 cooling100
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Exterior lighting20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Wheels10

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

2 recalls

1988 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.

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

1988 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Pontiac Fiero, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Fiero owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10232275 · Jun 25, 2008 · 106,986 miles
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…
Complaint 10182573 · Feb 14, 2007
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…
Complaint 10153437 · Mar 22, 2006 · 114,491 miles

Own a 1988 Fiero?

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