AI Damage1984 Pontiac Fiero: common problems
Owners of the 1984 Pontiac Fiero filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 53% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Parking brake 10% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 3% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 16 complaints (53% of all).
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (30% of all).
- Parking brake: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (7% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (3% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
Consumer states he was driving on the interstate, when smoke started coming into the vehicle, consumer pulled off the roadway and exited the vehicle, fire started in the engine compartmentdue to possible engine failure. (ohio traffic crash report #10-89-165)
The vehicle has a loud knocking/rattling noise coming from the block it sounds like the connecting rod is about to come apart , I went to the local dealership after I found a campaign on the pontaic fiero engines.
Wiring harness under the dash began to smoke and causing the ignition system not to work. Nlm
While driving at 70 mph consumer smelled smoke, pulled over and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. Another consumer help put out the fire. The consumer noticed the wires had burned up. The exhaust manifold was getting too hot and catching on fire.
The emergency parking brake was not working before the recall, and after the recall work was done the emergency parking brake worked only for a month. Recall 91v-055000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,849 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fiero has 12 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 30, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Parking brake. Electric parking brake, codes, calipers.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1984 Pontiac Fiero?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, parking brake. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (33%), rollaway, parking brake (10%), engine failure or replacement (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1984 Pontiac Fiero?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1984 Pontiac Fiero from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1984 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.