Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Camaro recalls & problems

The 1998 Chevrolet Camaro has 4 safety recalls and 173 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (100 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints173filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths15 · 1reported in complaints

1998 Chevrolet Camaro in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0650003,593 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 Chevrolet Camaro 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Camaro

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Camaro

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Camaro

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Camaro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc	100	7	0	5	28,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	19	0	1	0	—
Electrical systemHorn; Starter assembly	16	1	2	3	43,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	15	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Delivery › Fuel pump	10	0	2	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer	9	0	0	0	—
SteeringRack and pinion; Steering wheel/handle bar	8	3	0	3	—
Air bagsFrontal	7	5	0	5	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	7	1	0	2	—
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	6	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airDisc › Rotor	5	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTail lights; Hazard flashing warning lights › Unit	4	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
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
Aug 18, 2011 · 120,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE -- PCV VALVE FAILED CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO FOAM DUE TO ENTRAPPED GASES. ONLY WARNING WAS "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. *TR
Mar 9, 2010 · 183,926 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Aug 15, 2008 · 85,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE -- NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB
Dec 6, 2006 · 124,600 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
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…
Jun 14, 2005
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1998 CAMARO. REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED,LEAKING AND REAR BRAKES DONT WORK. *AK
Dec 1, 2004 · 83,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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
Nov 2, 2004
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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
Oct 29, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.