Total Complaints
38 filings
CHEVROLET CAMARO · model year
1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO
38 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986CHEVROLETCAMARO carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 CAMARO is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 17 filings, followed by seat belts (4) and steering:column (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1986 CAMARO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
38
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 17 |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100323SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 1992. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN 1994 REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 90V105000: SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY) BUT DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. WHILE UTILIZING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, THE LOCKING MECHANISM BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT BELT HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED UNDER HER VIN AND THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,960. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB
Mileage: 99,960
20030509SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT HAD PROBLEMS LATCHING AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD PROBLEMS RELEASING ONCE IT WAS LOCKED. BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY. *JB
20020923SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WILLNOT ENGAGE AT ALL, THE TOP PART OF THE SEATBELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB
20020305SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED UPON CONNECTING SEAT BELT LATCH, IT WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, RECALL NUMBER 90V105000. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT THAT WAS ON RECALL, ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. *YH
20020305VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATED UPON CONNECTING SEAT BELT LATCH, IT WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, RECALL NUMBER 90V105000. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT THAT WAS ON RECALL, ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. *YH
20010507STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD AND HATCH DAMPERS WERE NOT HOLDING UP THE HOOD OR HATCH IN THE UP POSITION, CONSUMER REPLACED. *JB
20010507STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD AND HATCH DAMPERS WERE NOT HOLDING UP THE HOOD OR HATCH IN THE UP POSITION, CONSUMER REPLACED. *JB
20010227SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT LATCH/BUCKLE. *CJ
20000927SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEATBELT BUCKLE JAMMED, WILL NO LONGER LATCH SEATBELT. *AK
20000706STEERING:COLUMN
BOLT NUT LOOSE ON THE TILT STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE IGNITION TO SHUT OFF WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING/POWER BRAKES. NLM
20000630SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EVERYTHING IN THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ADJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, PORPORTIONING VALVE, REAR CALIPERS AND PADS, FRONT PADS, BLED LINES, ADJUSTED REARS TO FACTORY SPECS. THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT STOP THE DYNAMOMETER DRUM FOR AN EMISSION TEST. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, C00382938, UNABLE TO HELP.
20000630SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
EVERYTHING IN THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ADJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, PORPORTIONING VALVE, REAR CALIPERS AND PADS, FRONT PADS, BLED LINES, ADJUSTED REARS TO FACTORY SPECS. THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT STOP THE DYNAMOMETER DRUM FOR AN EMISSION TEST. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, C00382938, UNABLE TO HELP.
20000630SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
EVERYTHING IN THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ADJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, PORPORTIONING VALVE, REAR CALIPERS AND PADS, FRONT PADS, BLED LINES, ADJUSTED REARS TO FACTORY SPECS. THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT STOP THE DYNAMOMETER DRUM FOR AN EMISSION TEST. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, C00382938, UNABLE TO HELP.
20000630SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
EVERYTHING IN THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ADJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, PORPORTIONING VALVE, REAR CALIPERS AND PADS, FRONT PADS, BLED LINES, ADJUSTED REARS TO FACTORY SPECS. THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT STOP THE DYNAMOMETER DRUM FOR AN EMISSION TEST. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, C00382938, UNABLE TO HELP.
20000601SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT PLASTIC COVER DOESN'T CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO THE SUNLIGHT CAN WEAKEN THE PLASTIC, AND SEATBELT WILL RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY.
19990816SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE WAS SENT TO CONSUMER AND THE CAR WAS NOT TAKEN IN RIGHT AWAY. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED, THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
19990106SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL 90V105; THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED SINCE 1994. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE BROKEN DUE TO DEFECT IN THE RECALL, BUT DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. *AK
19981020SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
19980828SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEATBELT FAILURE.
19980519FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Compare 1986CHEVROLETCAMARO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO have?▼
The 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO has 38 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and STEERING:COLUMN.
Is the 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.