1996 Chevrolet Camaro: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I got in a accident my car hit another car in front driver fender at 45 mile per hour destroyed my car neither air bag deployed I am injured I bounced off steering wheel when we hit my seat belt unlocked about broke my whole rib cage. *js”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2015
“Parked car in public parking space for approx. 20 minutes. Tried to start car with no results. Checked battery etc. Left car over night and had it towed 20 miles to boyd chevrolet in hendersonville, nc. Boyd replaced ignition switch. Total cost over $300. I demand new is which does not fall within the is recall timeline. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2012
“While driving 40 mph during a snow storm vehicle veered and bumped into a concrete median. Vehicle only had scratches on the bumper, but the front air bags deployed. When the front air bags deployed, the windshield broke. The driver's neck was injured. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power lock switch broke 1999 covered under warranty power door window switch broke 1999 covered under warranty, and again 2003 covered under my ryan extended warranty rear window hatch rubber seal went bad and separated from the car in 1999 and now again in 2003. 2 window seals on one car in 7 years. First one was covered by what I was told a silent recall. This time they are saying they never said that before and this time it is up to me to pay for the seal.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2003
“I believe a problem "may" exist with chevrolet cars employing the new five year or 50k miles anti-freeze. From personal experience and those of relatives it appears the flushing and replacement of anti-freeze at the suggested five year or 50k miles point may lead to water pump failure within weeks even though the car has less than 50k miles on the odometer. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003
“Consumer states that the cooling fan motor cuts off . Dealer stated that the wires that connect to the cooling fan are not powerful enough. Nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2002
“This is reference a safety problem during a moving emergency stop/braking situation on the 1996 camaro. Naming the panel or cover for the bottom of the drivers side dash, just above the brake and gas pedals. *ak the panel has a cut out for the drivers foot just above the gas peddle, but it also has a slight drop down above the brake peddle. During an emergency stop situation, the driver moves his foot from the gas peddle to the brake, but strikes the drop in the foot panel above and does not allow drivers foot to get over the brake peddle& then when he pushes down, he steps on the gas peddle causing him to run into what he started to brake for, causing an accident.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2002
“Wheel speed sensor fails, causing the anti lock brakes to engage, making the car take a significantly longer stopping distance. I am afraid it is going to end in a crash. Not covered under the warranty, even though it is a safety issue. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2001
“When pressingdown on brake pedal it goes to the floor. Has to pump brakes to stop vehicle. Also, brake light comes on. This only happens when coming to a stop. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2001
“I have continuously have had safety problems with my vehicle, which the dealership refuses to correctly fix. The brake lights, along with the left directional has been incorrectly fixed over 5 times now, and I have all the paperwok mto prove the problems.*ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camaro by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro. The most complained-about area is air bags (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Camaro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,150 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.