RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet Camaro Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
92
Latest Dec 4, 2004
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
53%
of 173 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 92 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 92, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2004

1998 CAMARO. REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED,LEAKING AND REAR BRAKES DONT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102127
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Mileage
83,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 25, 2004

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079958
Incident
Jun 22, 2004
Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2004

ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED EVERY 15,000 MILES. CONSUMER STATED ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071514
Incident
Apr 26, 2004
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 5, 2004

1998 Z28: HAVE EXPERIENCED FUEL PUMP FAILURE (REPLACED BY DEALER CIRCA JUNE 99) ALSO, EXPERIENCING AN ERRATIC FUEL GAGE...READING FUEL FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME, THEN SUDDENLY DROPS TO LESS THAN 2/3. INTERMITTENT HORN FUNCTION: COMPLETE HORN FAILURE; HOWEVER, IF YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART HORN WILL WORK. FRONT ROTOR WARPING REPEATEDLY. MANUFACTURE DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM, SAYS DRIVER IS OVERHEATING BRAKES. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ROTORS ARE POORLY DESIGNED. ALSO FOUND IF YOU DON'T DRIVE THROUGH WATER WHEN ROTORS ARE HOT THAT THIS WILL HELP. SLOW ACCELERATION AFTER COLD STARTUP. HOWEVER, IF YOU SHUT ENGINE DOWN AND RESTART ACCELERATION WILL BE NORMAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10056578
Incident
Feb 5, 2004
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 3, 2003
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT SEPARATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE DRIVER BEGAN TO HEAR A RUMBLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE THEN SURGED BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK INJURIES. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10044349
Incident
Jun 13, 2002
Mileage
43,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2003

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED ON 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28; I KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE PERSONALLY THAT HAVE 1998 AND UP CAMAROS/FIREBIRDS THAT HAD THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE IN CAR CLUBS AND INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. PEOPLE REFER TO THE STOCK ROTORS AS JUNK BECAUSE THEY WARP SO OFTEN WHICH LEADS ME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE CAR MANUFACTURE DID NOT PUT ADEQUATELY DESIGNED ROTORS ON THE VEHICLES. PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE SAY TO BUY NON-OEM ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WILL WARP AGAIN AND SIMPLY HAVING THE ROTORS TURNED DOES NOT HELP AS THEY WARP AGAIN. I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD MY ROTORS TURNED AND NEW BRAKES (INSTALLED BY DEALERSHIP WITH OEM PARTS) PUT ON THE CAR AND I HAVE THE WARPING ISSUE. MECHANICS THAT I KNOW ALSO AGREE THAT THE BRAKES/ROTORS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY DESIGNED FOR THESE VEHICLES. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10010864
Incident
Mar 21, 2003
Mileage
28,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO SLOWDOWN BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
8011369
Incident
May 20, 2002
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Aug 31, 2001

WHILE DRIVING, TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P195/65R15, CLAIM 35-W494-385. *SLC

NHTSA ID
6900316
Incident
Aug 16, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2001

ROTORS WERE TURNED AROUND IN APRIL 1999, AND WERE WARPED AT THIS TIME. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR ROTOR PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID
886065
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2001

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES, NO HARD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. STATED NORMAL WEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
885061
Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 2001

FRONT BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES MAKE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE REALLY BAD USUALLY DURING WET WEATHER,BUT IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME, THE PROBLEM EXISTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, HOWEVER HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *JB

NHTSA ID
785362
Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2001

FREEWAY SPEED BRAKING COMPROMISED DUE TO EXTREME VIBRATION CAUSED BY WARPED FRONT ROTORS. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR PROBLEM BY MACHINING - ALWAYS REAPPEARS AFTER 5000 MILES. NOW THEY REFUSE TO FIX AS IT IS A 'WEAR ITEM'. THIS IS A DESIGN OR MATERIAL QUALITY ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE NEW. BRAKES THAT CAN'T BE USED TO THEIR FULL EFFECTIVENESS ARE A SAFETY ITEM.

NHTSA ID
742511
Incident
Apr 12, 1999
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2001

FRONT ROTORS WARP SO BAD STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY YOU CAN LOSE CONTROL, GM SAYS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, 1/2 FRONT BREAKPADS STILL LEFT. *AK

NHTSA ID
740297
Incident
Jan 29, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2000

BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
871733
Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2000

ROTORS ARE WARPED, AND WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE SHIMMIES. WHEN APPLING BRAKES FRONT SHAKES VERY HARD. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
868388
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2000

ROTORS FOR DISC BRAKES ARE WARPED OR GET WARPED WHEN CAR IS NEW W/LT1000 MILES

NHTSA ID
728584
Incident
Aug 3, 1998
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2000

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE WARPPED SIX (6) TIMES ON THIS CAR CAUSING STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND POSSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ROTORS, THERE HAS BEEN FOUR (4) NEW SETS OF ROTORS ON THIS CAR AND THOSE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED THREE ( 3) TIMES. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERS TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE AND HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS DIRECT AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY CAMARO AND FIREBIRD OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ROTOR WARPPING PROBLEM. I FIRST FILED A COMPLANT WITH NHTSA ON 5/29/99 AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THAT SUBMITTAL.

NHTSA ID
728548
Incident
Apr 9, 1998
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2000

ROTORS TURNED AT 9100 MILES. WARPED AGAIN AT 27,000. DEALER FAILED TO MAKE GOOD. *AK

NHTSA ID
727988
Incident
Feb 21, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2000

WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IN WET CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY, TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND THIS IS NORMAL.*AK

NHTSA ID
725664
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2000

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE WARPED. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACED ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. CHEVY CONSIDERS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR ROTORS TO WARP AT 30,000 MILES. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
865589
Incident
May 1, 2000
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2000

VEHICLE HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS ANOTHER BRAKE JOB FOR THE 3RD TIME. HEADLIGHTS FLICKER , APPEARS TO GO COMPLETELY OFF AT NO SET TIME HAS BEEN IN REPAIR 10 TIMES FOR THIS

NHTSA ID
723002
Incident
Jul 30, 1998
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2000

NOTICED PULSATION AND SQUEAKING BRAKES. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN AND DEALER SAID THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. NOT UNDER WARANTEE SINCE 20,000 MILES, BUT ALSO REPLACED ALL PADS DUE TO SERVICE BULLETIN ON PADS. ROTORS APPEAR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND BAND AID REPAIR OF SOFTER PADS TO MASK PROBLEM. COULD END UP BEING MAJOR PROBLEM IF NOT CORRECTED PROPERLY. HOW CAN WE ALL GET CHEVY TO OWN UP AND REPLACE A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN? BY THE LISTING IN YOUR COMPLAINT DATABASE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
721570
Incident
Mar 24, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2000

TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BRAKES CHECKED. MECHANIC NOTICED ROTORS WERE WARPED & TURNED THEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE FOURTH TIME ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO BEING TOO THIN. NOW ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
859985
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2000

WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD, ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
858972
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2000
Crash reported2 injuries reported

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AS A RESULT OF FACTORY FLAW, SEPARATED 3 TIMES BEFORE 20,000 MILES, BUT PA CHEVROLET REFUSED TO REPLACE AND ONLY TURNED ROTORS ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CAUSING A BRAKE FAILURE LEADING TO ACCIDENT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23555R16 )

NHTSA ID
720227
Incident
Mar 1, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .