1986 Pontiac Fiero Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 15 complaints (58% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and electrical system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the gasoline and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling15 58%
- Brakes7 27%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Other or unknown2 7.7%
- Seat belts1 3.9%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Consumer received recall 90v104000 concerning engine and engine cooling. When the trunk is opened in the rain water drips through the trunk onto the oxygen sensor. A recall for this problem was issued, but the this vehicle was not included due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10064605, filed 2004-03, 98,000 milesBrakes: “Emergency brake will not keep car from rolling away. I got a recall on it. Pontiac said they would fix it anytime in the future that I wanted because the car was being saved as a collectable. They said that because it was safety related there was no time frame. Now they are trying to avoid fixing the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #731815, filed 2000-09Electrical system: “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 ? Of fire, especially with oil leakage near by...check engine light goes on..and is unknown problem to the dealer”
NHTSA complaint #708734, filed 1999-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 98,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Pontiac Fiero version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiero RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Fiero RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Fiero RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Fiero RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Fiero RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V055000Apr 11, 1991Parking brake › ConventionalCovers: Pontiac Fiero 1984–1986, Chevrolet Camaro 1982–1986, Pontiac Firebird 1982–1986
Parking brake adjuster fails to operate and do not work after brake pad wear.
- 90V104000Apr 23, 1990Engine and engine cooling › Engine › GasolineCovers: Pontiac Fiero 1985–1988
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…
- 89V232000Dec 28, 1989Engine and engine cooling › Engine › GasolineCovers: Pontiac Fiero 1984–1988
Due to an interaction of the engine compartment environment and maintenance or service related factors, there is a risk of engine compartment fires.
Recall details for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA89022Engine compartment firesClosed · Mar 31, 1989
- PE89023Engine compartment firesClosed · Dec 13, 1988
- PE89005Rear hub carrier failureClosed · Oct 18, 1988
- DP88002Tie rod breakageClosed · Oct 7, 1987
- EA87008REAR BRAKESClosed · Dec 17, 1986
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero.
Other model years of the Pontiac Fiero
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 13 | 106,986 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | 133,000 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 26 | 98,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 18 | 97,500 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 30 | 45,550 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Pontiac Fiero have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Pontiac Fiero is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 15 complaints (58% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.
Has the 1986 Pontiac Fiero been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Pontiac Fiero get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Pontiac Fiero (Fiero, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Pontiac Fiero reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,000 miles and the middle half falls between 98,000 and 98,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.