RoadVitals

1979 Chevrolet Camaro

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Jul 9, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, engine and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels350.0%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Visibility116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
80V108000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Aug 19, 1980
85,325 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHING NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO BACK OFF, RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATION.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A TORQUE CHECK OF THE ATTACHING NUT, AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN IT. IN SOME CASES AN INADEQUATE TORQUE LEVEL MAY HAVE CAUSED BALL STUD OR STEERING KNUCKLE DAMAGE; IF SO, THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V142000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jun 6, 1979
15,328 units potentially affected
The defect: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP85025ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL LEAKAGE AT FILLER NECK

Opened Jun 14, 1985
Closed Nov 27, 1985

FUEL LEAKAGE AT FILLER NECK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2012
Crash reported3 injuries reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR REGAIN CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED, AS WELL AS THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WHO WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND FILED A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS HOSPITALIZED BUT DIED 18 DAYS AFTER THE CRASH DUE TO COMPLICATIONS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER (711084923939) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 80V108000 (STEERING:LINKAGES :KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM) BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ..UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10464674
Incident
May 14, 1982
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE: 205/70/14. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A PIN HOLE ON THE TREAD AND SIDE WALL JUNCTURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD ALSO FAILED. THE VIN AND DOT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,136. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF

NHTSA ID
10454889
Incident
Jan 3, 2010
Mileage
245,136 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 20, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE TIRE BRAND WAS KUMHO AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/70/R14(NA). THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE DEFLATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. HE CONTACTED A ROADSIDE SERVICE THAT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE. WITHIN HOURS, THE SPARE TIRE FAILED. THE DEALER REFILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO THE OWNER. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE SPARE TIRE HAD DEFLATED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 251,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10326683
Incident
Dec 9, 2009
Mileage
247,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 1, 2003

THE FRONT TIRES CRACKED AROUND THE BEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THERE WAS CRACKING IN THE BEAD AREA OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE OTHER TIRE DOT# WAS KUKENX712300. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10038131
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
28,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 5, 1998

WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID
538832
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH

NHTSA ID
503367
Incident
Mar 29, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Camaro by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024400—
2023150046.6
2022131052.2
2021164065.9
2020313062.0
2019521051.6
2018782055.5
20171843056.1
20161391043.2
20152062050.6
20141874050.7
20131874054.0
20121135163.7
20111943052.0
20102953050.3
2002685051.1
2001484050.7
2000764052.9
1999905048.5
19981734054.8
1997696263.7
19961165264.5
19952166266.5
19941446265.9
1993326055.6
1992885162.0
1991867464.7
1990255164.4
1989256057.9
1988175456.8
1987284665.3
1986327761.2
19854661064.1
19843971065.9
1983164559.5
1982345—
1981121—
1980031—
1979Viewing631—
1978011—
1977031—
1976031—
1975031—
1974040—
1973020—
1971010—
1969110—
1968220—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.