1991 Pontiac FIERO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
1999: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 548695 · 1999-09-28 (September 28, 1999)
STARTER HEAT SHIELD WORE AWAY RESULTING IN SEVERAL STARTER FAILURES FROM OVERHEATING DUE TO PROXIMITY TO ENGINE. MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 548695 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1991 | 1994 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 930.0%ODI 484017ENGINE CONNECTING ROD FAILED,CAUSING FIRE MATERIAL TO OVERHEAT/DETERIORATE PRIOR TO RECALL (89V-232). | 844.4%ODI 10009192 · 80,000 miI BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO PONTIAC'S PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #88-C-24 WHICH I CURRENTLY HAVE A COPY OF SAME. THE RECALL ADDRESSES COOLANT LEAKS, OIL LEAKS, AND IMPROPER SEALING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LID ALLOWING FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT (LEFT) EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY MANIFOLD IS CRACKED DUE TO SUCH DECK LID FAILURE. IN CONTACTING PONTIAC(GM), THEY ALSO STATE THAT EITHER MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE RECALL(NO RECALL CAMPAIGN STICKER ARE ATTACHED TO MY CAR), OR THAT THE DOCUMENT I POSSESS IS FRAUDULENT. PONTIAC WILL … | 726.9% | 320.0% | 430.8%ODI 10182573DEAR 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. THEY ONLY R… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 723.3%ODI 10033074 · 40,100 miI PURCHASED A 1984 PONTIAC FIERO ON APRIL, 4 2003. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS AUTO. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 89V232000 CONCERNING ENGINE FIRE APPLIES TO THIS AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SAFETY RECALL AND DETERMINED THE REQUIRED WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON MY AUTO. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL EITHER HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, OR THAT IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY AUTO. BY THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ALL 1984 FIERO'S WERE INCLUD… | 422.2%ODI 10235825GM WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY WON'T HELP ME. IT HAS NOT BEEN THROUGH ANY OF THE 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALLS APPLICABLE TO IT. *TR | 27.7%ODI 10048757CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE DUMPED OIL FROM THE ENGINE UPON STARTING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY RECALL INFORMATION FROM EITHER DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7%ODI 10232275 · 106,986 miTL*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 WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VAL COVER AND DRIP SHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS U… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 968460ENGINE FAILED, RESULTING IN A FIRE PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (87V-181). *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 316.7%ODI 10221399 · 115,000 miVEHICLE HAS EXHAUST LEAK. PER VIN # RECALL 88C24 APPLIES TO VEHICLE, I'VE READ THE RECALL INFO, AND THERE ARE NO UPDATED PARTS INSTALLED. IVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE CONTACTED PONTIAC THEY SAY THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. YET PER THE INFO IT DOES APPLIY AND WAS NOT DONE, PONTIAC COULD NOT TELL ME IF IT WAS DONE PER THERE RECORDS. I'VE GOT A FILE # AT PONTIAC 71-611369143 | 27.7%ODI 543207UNABLE TO RECEIVE PROPER RECALL WORK ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM. | 426.7% | 17.7%ODI 10153437 · 114,491 miDT*: 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 (REPLACED FOUR TIMES), VALVE COVER GASKET (REPLACED TWICE), OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, HEATER HOSES, RADIATOR HOSES, AND RADIATOR FAN MOTOR WERE REPLACED. LAST WEEK THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE DEALER CONCERNING A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 8… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 310.0%ODI 484017ENGINE CONNECTING ROD FAILED,CAUSING FIRE MATERIAL TO OVERHEAT/DETERIORATE PRIOR TO RECALL (89V-232). | 316.7%ODI 749182PONTIAC REFUSES TO PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000. THEIR POSITION IS THE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 1990, WELL BEFORE THE RECALL DATE, AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED. SMAIL AUTOMOTIVE REFUSES TO INSPECT THE CAR TO VERIFY THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THEY ARE RELYING ON INACCURATE INFORMATION FROM THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE PONTIAC TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN TO A GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE I'VE OWNED … | 311.5%ODI 10033772THE CONSUMER STATED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT WORK. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL, IT WOULD ROLL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THAT THIS WAS CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO PASS STATE INSPECTION.*AK *SC *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 13.3% | 15.6% | 13.8%ODI 479701SPARK PLUG WIRE CAME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. | 320.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.6% | 13.8%ODI 979103VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE PINE NEEDLES AND LEAVES WERE IGNITED BY A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TT | 426.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.6% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 426.7% | 17.7%ODI 519302ENGINE FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR DUE TO OLD PCV HOSE STILL BEING CONNECTED TO AIR CLEANER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE AIR AND FAILURE OF ENGINE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 13.3% | 211.1%ODI 10235825GM WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THEY WON'T HELP ME. IT HAS NOT BEEN THROUGH ANY OF THE 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALLS APPLICABLE TO IT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4%ODI 765998DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 1988 C 24 IS NOT IN EFFECT DESPITE FACT THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS NEVER DONE NOR WAS I ADVISED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1994: 1 complaints · 1996: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.