1986 Pontiac Fiero
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Pontiac Fiero is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1986 Pontiac Fiero at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1986 Pontiac Fiero recalls 4
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Fix: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
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.
Fix: 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.
Fix: CORRECT OR INSTALL NEW ENGINE COMPONENTS TO PREVENT UNREASONABLE FIRE RISK.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1986 Pontiac Fiero common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1986 Pontiac Fiero MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1986 Pontiac Fiero costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 7
REAR DISC BRAKES Closed
NHTSA #C90001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Feb 1990 · closed Jul 1991ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
SUMMARY: MANY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS REPORTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES,AND SIX FIRES RESULTED IN SIX INJURIES.===
NHTSA #EA89022 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jul 1990ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE89023 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1988 · closed Mar 1989REAR HUB CARRIER FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE89005 · Suspension · opened Oct 1988 · closed Dec 1988REAR DISC BRAKES Closed
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.
NHTSA #EA88036 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jul 1988 · closed Aug 1991TIE ROD BREAKAGE Closed
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
NHTSA #DP88002 · opened Oct 1987 · closed May 1988REAR BRAKES Closed
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: GM REVIEWED THE MATTER AND"...HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED BRAKE CONDITION THAT REQUIRESFIELD CORRECTION."ANALYSIS: IT APPEARS THAT THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATION SYSTEM OR THEPISTONS WITHIN THE CALIPER CAN SEIZE PROHIBITING REAR DISC BRAKE FUNC-TION. A SEIZED CALIPERS CAN RESULT IN UNEVEN BRAKE OPERATION (PULL)AND/OR TOTAL LOSS OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FUNCTION.STATUS: TES…
NHTSA #EA87008 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Dec 1986 · closed Jul 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the FIERO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the parking brake system may contain a non-functional parking brake adjuster. This may result in a gradual loss of parking brake effectiveness as the rear disc pads wear. As a result, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle on a steep incline. If the vehicle is parked with the transmission in neutral or a forward gear, the vehicle may roll away and resul…
Transport Canada #1991063 · Apr 1991Engine
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8 LITRE,6 CYLINDER ENGINES. AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL HAVE A MANIFOLD DEFLECTOR INSTALLED, A PCV SYSTEM MODIFICATION, A MINOR CHANGE TO DECK LID S…
Transport Canada #1990101 · Jul 1990Engine
AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE RELATED FACTORS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: A MANIFOLD BARRIER WILL BE INSTALLED, DECK LID SEALING WILL BE CHANGED AND UNDERHOOD FLUID AND WIRING SYSTEMS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AS NECESSARY. ADDITIONALLY, 1984-86…
Transport Canada #1990100 · Jun 1990Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero is a rear mid-engine, light economy car manufactured and marketed by Pontiac for model years 1984 – 1988. Originally designed as a small sports car, it was subsequently revised for production into an economical commuter car with modest performance aspirations. The Fiero was Pontiac's first two-seater since their 1926 to 1938 coupes, and the first mass-produced, rear mid-engine car by any American manufacturer.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.