CHEVROLET CAMARO · model year

1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO

224 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998CHEVROLETCAMARO carries 224 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1998 CAMARO is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 37 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (24) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23). 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 1998 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.

224
Complaints
18
Crashes
5
Fires
19
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

224 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR37
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP23
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
TIRES4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY4
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL3
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP3

Recent Complaints

20140523CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 120,000

20140523CrashSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 120,000

20100311ENGINE 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

Mileage: 183,926

20090225FUEL 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.

Mileage: 85,000

20061214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE -- NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB

Mileage: 124,600

20050614TIRES: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 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.

20041204SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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

Mileage: 83,000

20041102VISIBILITY: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

20041029VISIBILITY: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

20040913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CHEVROLET CAMARO 1998 3.8L V6.ATTERY RETENSION TRAY FAILED, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BECOME LOOSE INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING OIL CHANGE. PLASTIC LIP, HOLDING BOTTOM OF THE BATTERY HAS BROKE OFF, LEAVING NO RETENSION FEATURE ON THE TRAY. NEW TRAY MUST BE PURCHASED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF BATTERY SHORT CIRCUIT AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IF BATTERY TERMINAL CONTACT CAR BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. *AK

Mileage: 129,530

20040813VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET CAMERO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THE CABLING SYSTEM THAT MANUALLY CONTROLS THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES. THE PREVIOUS 3 TIMES IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRENTY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR EACH TIME. THE CABLE HAS BROKE AGAIN AND NOW IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN IN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS THE MIRROR MOVES INWARD OUT OF ADJSTMENT AND CANNOT BE SET BY ANY OTHER MEANS. NOT HAVING A FUNCTIONAL DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *AK

20040625SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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

20040426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

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

Mileage: 15,000

20040426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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

Mileage: 15,000

20040205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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

20040205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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

20040205SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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

20040109SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT HAVE ANCHORS BUT COULD BE INSTALLED AT THE OWNER'S REQUEST. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO INSTALL THE ANCHORS. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ANCHORS COULD NOT BE INSTALLED. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID THE SAME THING. *AK

20031028ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

1998 CAMARO Z28 COV. WITH 12,000 MILES EM DELCO BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM TERMINAL, DAMAGING PAINT INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING RUST TO FRAME AND OTHER PARTS. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT "UNCOMMON" FOR THESE BATTERIES TO LEAK FROM THE TERMINAL. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGE ($890.00), EVEN THOU DAMAGE APPEAR TO HAVE OCCURED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BATTERY LEAKAGE PROBLEM!! SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL CASES CITIED ON INTERNET CAR HOBBY SITES FOR CAMARO AND CORVETTES. PLEASE HELP!! *AK

Mileage: 10,000

20031021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

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

Mileage: 43,000

Compare 1998CHEVROLETCAMARO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO have?
The 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO has 224 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO?
The most-complained component for the 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1998 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.