RoadVitals

1987 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.
28
Latest Jan 14, 2023
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.
6
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, most frequently naming the seat belts, steering and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 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 belts1346.4%
  • Steering517.9%
  • Engine310.7%
  • Electrical27.1%
  • Brakes27.1%
  • Body & structure13.6%
  • Other / unspecified13.6%
  • Driver assistance13.6%

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
06E043000

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
06E026000

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
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
EA89009ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER STEERING BRACKET

Opened Jan 5, 1989
Closed Jan 22, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 28
Seat belts
Filed Jan 14, 2023

During a New York state auto inspection, this recall, #N00043, was brought to my attention by the paperwork and the technician. I've been trying to get this issue resolved for years with no luck from various auto dealers.

NHTSA ID
11501778
Incident
Jan 14, 2017
Seat belts
Filed Aug 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. UPON RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE SEAT BELTS HOWEVER, THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PLATINUM CHEVROLET (3001 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHERE HE INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE SEAT BELT RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE DATABASE NOT HAVING INFORMATION ON A VEHICLE OF THAT AGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER THEN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE INABILITY TO LOCATE THE RECALL, THEY DENIED HIS RECALL CLAIM. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 49,858.

NHTSA ID
11349097
Incident
Jul 31, 2020
Mileage
49,858 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 5, 2004

I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE GATE TO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WAS WORKING, AT THE TIME, ABOUT TO PUT MY CARD IN THE CARD READER, TO OPEN THE GATE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO RACE WITHOUT WARNING AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET BEFORE I FINALLY GOT THE IGNITION KEY TURNED OFF. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, IN PARK, AND THE ENGINE TOOK OFF AGAIN. I SHUT IT OFF, PLAYED AROUND WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (WHICH WERE IN THE OFF POSITION) AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THIS TIME IT WAS FINE. THE CAR NEVER DID IT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS A 1987 CHEVY CAMARO LS.

NHTSA ID
10068318
Incident
Aug 13, 1996
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2003
Fire reported

1987 CHEVROLET CAMERO CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10052197
Incident
Oct 6, 2003
Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2003

(TILT STEERING) STEERING WHEEL VERY LOOSE. HARD TO STEER IN CURVES AND ON TURNS. STEERING WHEEL MOVE ABOUT A INCH OR 2 WHEN TRYING TO STEER. FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS GOING TO FALL OFF, HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BOLTS ON THE TILT ARE FALLING OUT. THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047588
Incident
Jun 14, 2003
Mileage
75,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 25, 2003

NEITHER SEAT BELT WILL LOCK. PASSENGERS USE TO LOCK BUT COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT AND PULLED ON IT AND IT FELL APART. IF I WAS IN A ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047584
Incident
Jul 27, 2003
Mileage
75,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 24, 2003

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 90 V 105 000 HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10044707
Mileage
150,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 19, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
748765
Incident
Apr 16, 2001

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
1987Viewing284665.3
1986327761.2
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.