Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Pontiac Fiero, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Parking brake5
- Unknown or other2
- Electrical system2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Power train1
- Seat belts1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1986 Pontiac Fiero failed the safety check 1.15% of the time — 51% more often than the average 1986 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 85,057 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
99 first registered in 1986 are on Dutch roads; 100% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde20
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen8
- Remvertraging / remwerking parkeerrem onvoldoende4
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld4
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt3
- Achterlicht werkt niet (goed)3
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm3
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij3
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In Finland
7 of these cars first registered in 1986 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 130,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
9 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 67% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1986 Pontiac Fiero.
| 1991063 17 Apr 1991 | 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 effective… |
| 1990101 3 Jul 1990 | Engine NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8 LITRE,6 CYLINDER ENGINES. AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS CO… |
| 1990100 29 Jun 1990 | Engine AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE RELATED FACTORS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHICH COULD S… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
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.
DUE TO AN INTERACTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE RELATED FACTORS, THERE IS A RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
REAR DISC BRAKES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR HUB CARRIER FAILURE
REAR DISC BRAKES
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
REAR BRAKES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation