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Research · Subcompact Cars

1996 Chevrolet CamaroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 125 owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro. Most complaints involve power train (20) and air bags (18). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
125
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Oct 24, 2007NHTSA 07E088000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

125 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1995 – Feb 2015
  1. Power train20
  2. Air bags18
  3. Electrical system15
  4. Engine and engine cooling15
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  6. Fuel system, gasoline12
  7. Visibility8
  8. Seat belts7
  9. Steering7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Camaro model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996125
199775
1998191
199997
200087
200153
200281
2010295
2011194
2012113
2013187
2014188
2015206
2016141
2017191
201881
201953
202033
202120
202214
202316
20244
Crashes reported
23
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

20 reports
“AT LOW SPEEDS CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND THAT COMES FROM REAR END. DEALER STATES THAT THE FUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AND THE CAR STILL MAKES THIS NOISE. HAVE NOT RETURNED TO DEALER YET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2001Power trainODI 742233

Air bags

18 reports17 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2015Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 10690432

Electrical system

15 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2014Electrical systemODI 10629856
All 1996 Camaro problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camaro
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
Camaro
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172820$3,100444
Camaro
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$3,450494
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$3,450494
  • Camaro
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 28 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3548
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Camaro questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (20), air bags (18), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026