1986 Pontiac Fiero: common problems

Owners of the 1986 Pontiac Fiero filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and parking brake. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 26

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 58% of all complaints
2 Parking brake 19% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
6 Seat belts 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 15 complaints (58% of all).
Parking brake: 5 complaints (19% of all).
Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Service brakes: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Powertrain: 1 complaints (4% 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
2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 3-speed
manual, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: RWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

smoke, burning smell, fire9 · 35%
oil leak or consumption4 · 15%
brake failure2 · 8%
rollaway, parking brake2 · 8%
seat belts1 · 4%
warning lights, check engine1 · 4%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	15	0	0
Parking brake	5	0	0
Electrical system	2	0	0
Service brakes	2	0	0
Powertrain	1	0	0
Seat belts	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.

This was a serious recall, as it involved a possibility of engine compartment fire. Gm recall number 88-c-24a. I recently purchased this vehicle on 6/21/2006, unaware that the recall was never done. I tried to get pontiac to cover this recall but they refuse.
Engine and cooling · 2006-07-01 · NHTSA complaint #10161182
The parking brake system of these vehicle's may contain a nonfunctional parking brake adjuster. Recall campaign 91v055000; the consumer received a recall letter for her vehicle.
Parking brake · 2005-02-04 · NHTSA complaint #10108839
The consumer stated, the emergency brake did not work. If the vehicle was parked on a hill, it would roll. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that there was a recall, and that this was causing vehicle not to pass state inspection.
Parking brake · 2003-08-12 · NHTSA complaint #10033772
The rear brake calipers are froze solid and not working because of the way the system for adjusting them is a bad system, as stated by the brake repair shop.
Service brakes · 2000-10-26 · NHTSA complaint #734832
An oil leak coming from the exhaust system, causing oil to spill on the engine, and smoke is coming from from vehicle. The consumer states the vehicle has been in the shop for repair service twice, and the dealer can't determine the problem.
Engine and cooling · 1999-12-09 · NHTSA complaint #832053
Oil leak from unknown origin. Located approximately at upper part of engine down to pully and belts. Also wires located near passenger compartment in engine are extremely hot, discolored and brittle harness..concern for ?
Engine and cooling · 1999-07-17 · NHTSA complaint #708734
The metal in the locking portion of the seatbelt snapped and it flew off and smacked me in the face while I was driving. It was the driver's seatbelt and the plastic casing aroud the belt broke when it did this.
Seat belts · 1999-05-21 · NHTSA complaint #706711
4 speed shifter assy will not engage back up light switch and is hard to shift into reverse gear at times. I have replaced shifter twice, this being the 3rd one for the car.
Powertrain · 1999-03-07 · NHTSA complaint #704123

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19951
19963
19972
19998
20004
20011
20033
20041
20051
20061
20161

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 7,316 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Fiero has 12 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 26, above average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Parking brake. Electric parking brake, codes, calipers.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Pontiac Fiero?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, parking brake, electrical system. Total complaints: 26. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (35%), oil leak or consumption (15%), brake failure (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 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 1986 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 1986 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 2026-11-05.