VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Camaro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 224 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median Camaro year — the 1998 model ranks #8 of 49 Camaro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 19 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 48% of all reports (108 of 224), far ahead of engine at 19.

224

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

19

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Camaro years?

Camaro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted394 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 3 complaints1969: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 6 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 25 complaints1984: 40 complaints1985: 64 complaints1986: 38 complaints1987: 29 complaints1988: 20 complaints1989: 34 complaints1990: 32 complaints1991: 110 complaints1992: 104 complaints1993: 45 complaints1994: 182 complaints1995: 305 complaints1996: 159 complaints1997: 88 complaints1998: 224 complaints1999: 133 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 60 complaints2002: 100 complaints2010: 394 complaints2011: 259 complaints2012: 156 complaints2013: 251 complaints2014: 287 complaints2015: 305 complaints2016: 196 complaints2017: 256 complaints2018: 110 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 46 complaints2021: 21 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 24 complaints2024: 4 complaints
Camaro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camaro years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes10848%
Engine198%
Electrical System167%
Transmission157%
Fuel System104%
Visibility & Wipers94%
Steering84%
Airbags73%
Speed Control73%
Tires & Wheels63%
Suspension42%
Lighting42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Other21%
Seats21%
Body & Structure21%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 )”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 1, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. CROSSING BRIDGE ONTO INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM DASH AREA. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. REASON FOR FIRE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. DEALER /MANUFACTURE NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 19, 1998 · fire

“EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED. VEHICLE WOULD BE MOVING. ALSO, FUSE WAS REPLACED TWICE/ AIR CAME THROUGH THE HATCHBACK & DOORS/ MUFFLER KEPT MAKING CLUNKING NOISE/BUMPER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, AND TIRES WOULD LOSE TRACTION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“UPON TAKE OFF, TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISE AND DID NOT WANT TO GO INTO SECOND GEAR. TRIED BACKING UP AND REVERSE WAS GONE. CAR WILL SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR WITH HELP. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND TRANSMISSION SERVICED AT REQUIRED TIME. PRESENTLY AWAITING WORD FROM CHEVY TO SEE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2002

“NYLON LINE WAS PINCHED WHEN CAR WAS ASSEMBLED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK WHICH PROGRESSED OVER MONTHS UNTIL FUEL WAS DRIPPING ONTO PAVEMENT. LEAK WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE FIRE AND A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF POLLUTION. MANUFACTURER HAD NO TSB NOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS FAILURE WHICH WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2001 · fire

1998 Chevrolet Camaro — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 224 complaints put the 1998 model at #8 of 49 Camaro years. It is one of the Camaro years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Camaro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (108 complaints), engine (19 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Camaro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camaro years to avoid are 2010, 2015, 1995, 2014, 2011, 2017, 2013, 1998, 2016, 1994, 1996, 2012, 1999, 2000, 1991, 2018, 1992, 2002, 1997, 2019, 1985, 2001. The cleanest record among Camaro years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.