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Pontiac FieroModel year report

1988 Pontiac Fiero Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
106,986miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (77% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and exterior lighting (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,986 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the gasoline filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10083576, filed 2004-07, 91,096 miles

Brakes: “The bolts were missing from the caliper (rear), the rim was damaged , the emergency brake bracket pads were no good,and the brake pad on the left rear was split”

NHTSA complaint #964595, filed 1995-05

Fuel system: “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 GM dealership in durham, nc and requested information about the recall on december 16, 2006. They have been unable to ascertain officially from GM whether or not the recall work has been done even after two months of having the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10182573, filed 2007-02

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 91,096 and 114,491 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–10067%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 106,986 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1995199719983200120022004200620072008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Fiero RWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual213225$2,700
Fiero RWD2.5L 4-cyl3-speed automatic212824$2,800
Fiero RWD2.8L 6-cyl5-speed manual152519$3,550
Fiero RWD2.8L 6-cyl3-speed automatic162218$3,700

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

Recall details for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero.

Other model years of the Pontiac Fiero

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
198813106,9862—24—Not enough data
198715133,0002—24—Stable
19862698,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19851897,5003—25—Stable
19843045,5503—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Pontiac Fiero model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Pontiac Fiero have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Fiero as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Pontiac Fiero is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (77% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 1988 Pontiac Fiero been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Pontiac Fiero get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Pontiac Fiero (Fiero, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Pontiac Fiero reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,986 miles and the middle half falls between 91,096 and 114,491 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 30, 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.