1998 Chevrolet Camaro: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 173 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (44% of complaints); the 1997 and 1999 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
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 173 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2011
“Potential engine failure -- pcv valve failed causing engine oil to foam due to entrapped gases. Only warning was "service engine soon" light. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2004
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2004
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2004
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2004
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2004
“Alternator died, had to replace on 8/8/03. Heard sound in the rear, changed shock absorbers, noise is still there, going to change springs next 8/20/03 . *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 1998 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
NHTSA has 173 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Camaro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.