RoadVitals

1983 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.
16
Latest Jun 20, 2006
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.
4
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.
5
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 NHTSA investigations name 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

  • Seat belts834.8%
  • Body & structure730.4%
  • Brakes313.0%
  • Fuel system28.7%
  • Interior & seats14.3%
  • Suspension14.3%
  • Transmission14.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
91V055000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Apr 11, 1991
179,036 units potentially affected
The defect: PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
The risk: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
85V169000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Dec 20, 1985
738,485 units potentially affected
The defect: DISLOCATION OF A SPRING COVER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT TO RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ALTHOUGH INERTIAL FEATURE THAT LOCKS THE LAP BELT AND SHOULDER BELT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ARE NOT AFFECTED, IF SLACK IS MORE THAN RECOMMENDED IN OWNERS MANUAL, INJURIES TO UPPER BODY AND HEAD WOULD BE INCREASED IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINING SPRINGS ON SPRING COVER OF FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR AND, WHEN REQUIRED, RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

C90001ClosedInvestigation

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Feb 21, 1990
Closed Jul 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA88036ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Jul 22, 1988
Closed Aug 30, 1991

SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE88070ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRAME CRACKING

Opened Jun 28, 1988
Closed Sep 22, 1988

SUMMARY: GM'S MAY '88 TSB CONCERNS REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON 82-85 CAMAROS. ODI DATA BASE CONTAINS THREE REPORTS OF FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON CAMAROS AND FIREBIRDS.

STRUCTURE
EA86019ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Jun 17, 1986
Closed Jul 22, 1988

SUMMARY: THE REAR DISC BRAKE ADJUST MECHANISM FAILS TO FUNCTION AFTER CORROSION OCCURS. GM HAS REDESIGNED CALIPER ASSM. SAME DESIGN AND PROBLEM ON GM'S E, F, AND P CARS. INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN COMBINED INTO ONE WITH ALL GM CARS USING SAME REAR DISC BRAKE DESIGN.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 16
Filed Jun 20, 2006

CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE TITLE FOR VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED CAMARO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. THE PRIVATE PARTY HAS NOT TURNED OVER THE BILL OF SELL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161559
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 30, 2004
Fire reported

NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DASH CAUSING THE ENTIRE CAR TO BURST INTO FLAMES BEING A TOTAL LOSS. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS CAR IT IS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10104802
Incident
Dec 30, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 29, 2004

THE BRACKETS FOR THE HOOD BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. THE HOOD SKIN BLEW OFF. MANUFACTURER STATED NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101735
Incident
Nov 28, 2004
Mileage
195,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 15, 2001

BOTH FRONT SEAT RETRACTORS MALFUNCTIONED, WILL NOT ALLOW BELTS TO RETURN TO RETRACTORS. BOTH FRONT OCCUPANTS WERE WITHOUT ANY RETRAINTS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
880683
Incident
Feb 12, 2001
Brakes
Filed Feb 3, 2000

EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. VERY EASY TO ROLL. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID
856151
Incident
Jan 21, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 1999

THE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SMELLS STRONGLY OF GASOLINE AFTER DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER, REGARDLESS OF THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN THE TANK. NO FUEL LEAK CAN BE VISUALLY DETECTED, BUT THE ODOR PERSISTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF THE FILLER NECK.

NHTSA ID
715574
Seat belts
Filed Oct 19, 1999

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR OCT 17, AND WAS TOLD THE SEAT BELTS HAD BEEN RECALLED. I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THEY WERE AND WHAT SHOULD I DO. *AK

NHTSA ID
713534
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 1999

THE FUEL CARBURETOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT RUN PROPERLY OR STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
849436
Incident
Jan 1, 1983

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
1983Viewing164559.5
1982345—
1981121—
1980031—
1979631—
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.