The 1988 Pontiac Fiero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 346,162 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
DUE TO AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, THERE IS A RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.
AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN SPREAD TO THE PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT AND INJURE OCCUPANTS.
CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information 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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“The headlight mechanism continually fails, it will not raise or lower. In addition, premature wear of rear brakes. *ak”
“The headlight mechanism continually fails, it will not raise or lower. In addition, premature wear of rear brakes. *ak”
SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.