EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1998 Chevrolet Camaro
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 173 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 75 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 1998 | 7 | 16 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 17 |
| Feb 1999 | 19 | 36 |
| Mar 1999 | 15 | 51 |
| Apr 1999 | 4 | 55 |
| May 1999 | 4 | 59 |
| Jun 1999 | 5 | 64 |
| Jul 1999 | 2 | 66 |
| Aug 1999 | 3 | 69 |
| Sep 1999 | 9 | 78 |
| Oct 1999 | 9 | 87 |
| Nov 1999 | 4 | 91 |
| Dec 1999 | 2 | 93 |
| Jan 2000 | 3 | 96 |
| Feb 2000 | 4 | 100 |
| Mar 2000 | 6 | 106 |
| Apr 2000 | 2 | 108 |
| May 2000 | 2 | 110 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 111 |
| Jul 2000 | 5 | 116 |
| Aug 2000 | 4 | 120 |
| Sep 2000 | 2 | 122 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 123 |
| Feb 2001 | 3 | 126 |
| Mar 2001 | 4 | 130 |
| Apr 2001 | 3 | 133 |
| Jun 2001 | 2 | 135 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 136 |
| Aug 2001 | 3 | 139 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 140 |
| Nov 2001 | 2 | 142 |
| Dec 2001 | 2 | 144 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 145 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 146 |
| Apr 2002 | 2 | 148 |
| Jun 2002 | 1 | 149 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 150 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 151 |
| Feb 2003 | 2 | 153 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 154 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 155 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 156 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 157 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 158 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 159 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 160 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 161 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 162 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 163 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 164 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 165 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 166 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 167 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 168 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 169 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 170 |
| Feb 2009 | 1 | 171 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 172 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 173 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes9245.1%
- Engine178.3%
- Electrical146.9%
- Fuel system104.9%
- Visibility94.4%
- Transmission83.9%
- Steering83.9%
- Airbags73.4%
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
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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE FAILURE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN
- NHTSA ID
- 10593701
- Incident
- Aug 18, 2011
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE -- PCV VALVE FAILED CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO FOAM DUE TO ENTRAPPED GASES. ONLY WARNING WAS "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10319063
- Incident
- Mar 9, 2010
- Mileage
- 183,926 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FIVE TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 85,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10259953
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2008
- Mileage
- 85,000 mi
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE -- NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10176103
- Incident
- Dec 6, 2006
- Mileage
- 124,600 mi
ON JUNE 14, 2005, MY DAUGHTER HAD HER THIRD SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER COBRA RADIAL GT TIRES ON HER CAR. THEY ARE 235/55/16. WE PURCHASED THE CAR WITH THE TIRES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DECEMBER, 2004 WHERE THE STEEL BELT SEPERATED ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. A BLISTER FORMED ON THE OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS NOT A BLOWOUT . THEN ON MARCH 11, 2005 SHE HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON I-10 OUTSIDE OF TALLAHASSEE. THEN ON JUNE 14, 2005 SHE WAS ON I-95 HEADING BACK TO TALLAHASSEE AND HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE TIRE NUMBER IS DOT 3D 18C290201 A15L. THREE BAD TIRES IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS IS A SIGN OF SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND GOOD. THE FIRST DEALING WIITH COOPER I HAD TO ARGUE WITH THEM TO PRORATE THE TIRES. THE SECOND DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE WAS GREAT. I'M HOPING FOR GOOD RESULTS TOMORROW.
- NHTSA ID
- 10125323
- Incident
- Jun 14, 2005
1998 CAMARO. REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED,LEAKING AND REAR BRAKES DONT WORK. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10102127
- Incident
- Dec 1, 2004
- Mileage
- 83,000 mi
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED.THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10099223
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2004
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10099073
- Incident
- Oct 29, 2004
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 46.6 |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2021 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 65.9 |
| 2020 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 62.0 |
| 2019 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 51.6 |
| 2018 | 78 | 2 | 0 | 55.5 |
| 2017 | 184 | 3 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2016 | 139 | 1 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 2015 | 206 | 2 | 0 | 50.6 |
| 2014 | 187 | 4 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2013 | 187 | 4 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 2012 | 113 | 5 | 1 | 63.7 |
| 2011 | 194 | 3 | 0 | 52.0 |
| 2010 | 295 | 3 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2002 | 68 | 5 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2001 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2000 | 76 | 4 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 1999 | 90 | 5 | 0 | 48.5 |
| 1998Viewing | 173 | 4 | 0 | 54.8 |
| 1997 | 69 | 6 | 2 | 63.7 |
| 1996 | 116 | 5 | 2 | 64.5 |
| 1995 | 216 | 6 | 2 | 66.5 |
| 1994 | 144 | 6 | 2 | 65.9 |
| 1993 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 1992 | 88 | 5 | 1 | 62.0 |
| 1991 | 86 | 7 | 4 | 64.7 |
| 1990 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 1989 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 57.9 |
| 1988 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 56.8 |
| 1987 | 28 | 4 | 6 | 65.3 |
| 1986 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 61.2 |
| 1985 | 46 | 6 | 10 | 64.1 |
| 1984 | 39 | 7 | 10 | 65.9 |
| 1983 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 59.5 |
| 1982 | 3 | 4 | 5 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.