1996 Chevrolet Camaro Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1812.8%
- Brakes1812.8%
- Engine1712.1%
- Electrical149.9%
- Transmission128.5%
- Fuel system117.8%
- Visibility96.4%
- Powertrain (other)75.0%
- Seat belts75.0%
- Steering64.3%
- Body & structure53.5%
- Driver assistance53.5%
- Interior & seats42.8%
- Exterior lighting32.1%
- Suspension32.1%
- Tires & wheels10.7%
- Other / unspecified10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT DRIVER FENDER AT 45 MILE PER HOUR DESTROYED MY CAR NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED I AM INJURED I BOUNCED OFF STEERING WHEEL WHEN WE HIT MY SEAT BELT UNLOCKED ABOUT BROKE MY WHOLE RIB CAGE. *JS
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM VEHICLE VEERED AND BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. VEHICLE ONLY HAD SCRATCHES ON THE BUMPER, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. THE DRIVER'S NECK WAS INJURED. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS REFERENCE A SAFETY PROBLEM DURING A MOVING EMERGENCY STOP/BRAKING SITUATION ON THE 1996 CAMARO. NAMING THE PANEL OR COVER FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH, JUST ABOVE THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. *AK THE PANEL HAS A CUT OUT FOR THE DRIVERS FOOT JUST ABOVE THE GAS PEDDLE, BUT IT ALSO HAS A SLIGHT DROP DOWN ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDDLE. DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP SITUATION, THE DRIVER MOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE BRAKE, BUT STRIKES THE DROP IN THE FOOT PANEL ABOVE AND DOES NOT ALLOW DRIVERS FOOT TO GET OVER THE BRAKE PEDDLE& THEN WHEN HE PUSHES DOWN, HE STEPS ON THE GAS PEDDLE CAUSING HIM TO RUN INTO WHAT HE STARTED TO BRAKE FOR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAVE HAD SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECTLY FIX. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ALONG WITH THE LEFT DIRECTIONAL HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY FIXED OVER 5 TIMES NOW, AND I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWOK MTO PROVE THE PROBLEMS.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK 96 CHEVY CAMARO. *NM
LEAKING FROM FRONT OF ENGINE COOLANT A CHEVY /LUBY EMPLOYEEE SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF THAT ?
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
PARKED CAR IN PUBLIC PARKING SPACE FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES. TRIED TO START CAR WITH NO RESULTS. CHECKED BATTERY ETC. LEFT CAR OVER NIGHT AND HAD IT TOWED 20 MILES TO BOYD CHEVROLET IN HENDERSONVILLE, NC. BOYD REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. TOTAL COST OVER $300. I DEMAND NEW IS WHICH DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE IS RECALL TIMELINE. *TR
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COOLING FAN MOTOR CUTS OFF . DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES THAT CONNECT TO THE COOLING FAN ARE NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH. NLM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAMARO HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP PRESENTING THE P1870 TRANSMISSION CODE APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED OVER 2000 WARRANTIED MAJOR WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO 36000 MILES. I AM STILL HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND HAVE LOOKED UP THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION-AUTOMATIC AND THE COMPUTER PRESENTING THE P1870 CODE. I AM REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON INDICATING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. I HAVE CONTACT GM WITH NO REPLY. YOU WOULD THINK AFTER PERFORMING $2500 WORTH OF USELESS REPAIR WORK THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PUT IN A REBUILT TRANSMISSION OR OFFERED HELP TO ME IN ANOTHER WAY. IT IS SLOWLY BECOMING A SAFETY AND PUNITIVE MATTER TO ME.*AK
AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 18000 MILES. REPLACED N/C. FAILED AGAIN AT 40000 MILES. REPLACED AT N/C. FAILED FOR THIRD TIME AT 76800 MILES. DEALER OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE. CHEVROLET COTACTED. CSR OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE AND IS UNWILLING TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. CURRENTLY SEEKING FURTHER ASSISTANCE. DEALER STATES THAT WARRANTY ON REPLACEMENT TRANS. IS 3/50000 IF CUSTOMER PAYS FOR REPAIR BUT ONLY 3/36000 IF DEALER REPLACES UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING, DEALER DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT FOR NO REASON. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES. MECHANIC PLACED ON DIAGNOSTIC AND COMPUTER FAILED TO REGISTER ANY PROBLEM CODES. MECHANIC DID REPLACE FUEL PUMP AND CRANKSHAFT, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER LOCK SWITCH BROKE 1999 COVERED UNDER WARRANTY POWER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH BROKE 1999 COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND AGAIN 2003 COVERED UNDER MY RYAN EXTENDED WARRANTY REAR WINDOW HATCH RUBBER SEAL WENT BAD AND SEPARATED FROM THE CAR IN 1999 AND NOW AGAIN IN 2003. 2 WINDOW SEALS ON ONE CAR IN 7 YEARS. FIRST ONE WAS COVERED BY WHAT I WAS TOLD A SILENT RECALL. THIS TIME THEY ARE SAYING THEY NEVER SAID THAT BEFORE AND THIS TIME IT IS UP TO ME TO PAY FOR THE SEAL.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK SPORATICALLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *YC
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT LOW SPEEDS CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND THAT COMES FROM REAR END. DEALER STATES THAT THE FUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AND THE CAR STILL MAKES THIS NOISE. HAVE NOT RETURNED TO DEALER YET.
AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES, PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING, DEALER SERVICE DEPT FIXED. AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES, PINION BEARINGS AND OTHER BEARINGS WENT BAD, PRIVATE SHOP FIXED. AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES, BEARING IN REAR END WENT BAD AGAIN, PRIVATE SHOP FIXED. NOW, BEARING IN MIDDLE OF DRIVESHAFT IS BAD (NO REPAIR AS OF YET). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT DRIVER FENDER AT 45 MILE PER HOUR DESTROYED MY CAR NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED I AM INJURED I BOUNCED OFF STEERING WHEEL WHEN WE HIT MY SEAT BELT UNLOCKED ABOUT BROKE MY WHOLE RIB CAGE. *JS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TRACK. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETLY TOTALED. NONE OF THE SAFTY FEATURES WORKED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF AT ANY TIME GM HAD ANY RECALLS OR TECH SERVICE BULLITINS THAT CONCERN THIS PROBLEM ON SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP/HOSE LEAK. *TR
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS , IE.. WATER PUMP CLUTCH SWITCH, OIL PAN LEAK, REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING, DASH CONTROLS MALFUNCTION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC ARM HAS HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAK DURING DRIVING; LOWER RUBBER SEAL ON REAR GLASS LEAKS ADHESIVE ONTO GLASS AND PAINT; REAR BUSHINGS NOISY DURING SUSPENSION TRAVEL IN COLD WEATHER; REAR HATCHBACK STEREO SPEAKER HAS ELECTRICAL CRACKLE WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED
WEATHERSTRIP ON BOTH DOORS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS REFERENCE A SAFETY PROBLEM DURING A MOVING EMERGENCY STOP/BRAKING SITUATION ON THE 1996 CAMARO. NAMING THE PANEL OR COVER FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH, JUST ABOVE THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. *AK THE PANEL HAS A CUT OUT FOR THE DRIVERS FOOT JUST ABOVE THE GAS PEDDLE, BUT IT ALSO HAS A SLIGHT DROP DOWN ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDDLE. DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP SITUATION, THE DRIVER MOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE BRAKE, BUT STRIKES THE DROP IN THE FOOT PANEL ABOVE AND DOES NOT ALLOW DRIVERS FOOT TO GET OVER THE BRAKE PEDDLE& THEN WHEN HE PUSHES DOWN, HE STEPS ON THE GAS PEDDLE CAUSING HIM TO RUN INTO WHAT HE STARTED TO BRAKE FOR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
ATTEMPTED TO GET INTO VEHICLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL, TIRES SCREECHED AND CAR TOOK OFF.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS , IE.. WATER PUMP CLUTCH SWITCH, OIL PAN LEAK, REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING, DASH CONTROLS MALFUNCTION
AUTOMATIC TRUNK LATCH FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAVE HAD SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECTLY FIX. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ALONG WITH THE LEFT DIRECTIONAL HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY FIXED OVER 5 TIMES NOW, AND I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWOK MTO PROVE THE PROBLEMS.*AK
LEFT BACK UP TAIL LIGHT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTING HARD AND THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROMT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
REAR HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC ARM HAS HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAK DURING DRIVING; LOWER RUBBER SEAL ON REAR GLASS LEAKS ADHESIVE ONTO GLASS AND PAINT; REAR BUSHINGS NOISY DURING SUSPENSION TRAVEL IN COLD WEATHER; REAR HATCHBACK STEREO SPEAKER HAS ELECTRICAL CRACKLE WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BEGGING OF TREAD SEPARATION. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER THEY WOULD NOT EVEN ADMIT IT WAS A DEFAULT AND WANTED ME TO BUT A NEW TIRE. WENT TO GOODYEAR THEY WOULD NOT LET ME LEAVE PARKING LOT ON MY TIRE. THEY GAVE ME A SPARE AND TOLD ME FIRESTONE MUST REPLACE ALL MY TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUS. WHAT SHOULD I DO PUT THE TIRE BACK ON AND GET A GOOD LAWYER OR MAYBE CONTACT BETTER BUSINESS , BY THE WAY FIRESTONE CORP. OFFICES ARE GIVING ME RUN AROUND ALSO. I JUST WANT TO HAVE SAFE TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: OBPJ TIRESIZE: P245/5016)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WHEELS VIBRATE AND MAKE A WHISTLING SOUND DUE TO A CRACK IN THE WHEEL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .