RoadVitals

1986 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.
32
Latest Mar 23, 2010
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.
7
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.
7
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 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Camaro, most frequently naming the seat belts, steering and driver assistance categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 belts2369.7%
  • Steering26.1%
  • Driver assistance26.1%
  • Brakes26.1%
  • Engine26.1%
  • Electrical13.0%
  • Body & structure13.0%

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

7 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

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA92005ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jan 30, 1992
Closed Jan 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA90012ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE

Opened Feb 28, 1990
Closed Apr 24, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
C90001ClosedInvestigation

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Feb 21, 1990
Closed Jul 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA90001ClosedEngineering Analysis

SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGE

Opened Oct 3, 1989
Closed Jul 10, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 90V105000

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Mar 23, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 1992. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN 1994 REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 90V105000: SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY) BUT DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. WHILE UTILIZING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, THE LOCKING MECHANISM BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT BELT HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED UNDER HER VIN AND THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,960. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10321659
Incident
Jan 7, 2010
Mileage
99,960 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 9, 2003

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT HAD PROBLEMS LATCHING AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD PROBLEMS RELEASING ONCE IT WAS LOCKED. BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10019550
Seat belts
Filed Sep 23, 2002

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WILLNOT ENGAGE AT ALL, THE TOP PART OF THE SEATBELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ID
8019225
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Driver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Mar 5, 2002

CONSUMER STATED UPON CONNECTING SEAT BELT LATCH, IT WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, RECALL NUMBER 90V105000. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT THAT WAS ON RECALL, ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. *YH

NHTSA ID
8005015
Body & structure
Filed Apr 9, 2001

HOOD AND HATCH DAMPERS WERE NOT HOLDING UP THE HOOD OR HATCH IN THE UP POSITION, CONSUMER REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
560699
Seat belts
Filed Feb 1, 2001

SEAT BELT LATCH/BUCKLE. *CJ

NHTSA ID
559350
Seat belts
Filed Sep 20, 2000

SEATBELT BUCKLE JAMMED, WILL NO LONGER LATCH SEATBELT. *AK

NHTSA ID
732065
Incident
Aug 20, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2000

EVERYTHING IN THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ADJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, PORPORTIONING VALVE, REAR CALIPERS AND PADS, FRONT PADS, BLED LINES, ADJUSTED REARS TO FACTORY SPECS. THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT STOP THE DYNAMOMETER DRUM FOR AN EMISSION TEST. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, C00382938, UNABLE TO HELP.

NHTSA ID
724710

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01697

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR CORVETTE WITH A 5.0 OR 5.7 LITRE ENGINE. SIT BULLETIN 1450640. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1986Viewing327761.2
19854661064.1
19843971065.9
1983164559.5
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.