NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 191 owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (86) and engine and engine cooling (17). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Camaro model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 125 |
| 1997 | 75 |
| 1998 | 191 |
| 1999 | 97 |
| 2000 | 87 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 81 |
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 113 |
| 2013 | 187 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 206 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 191 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 4 |
“VEHICLE TENDS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING EVEN AFTER THE STEERING COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE SWERVES UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. *AK THE STEERING VEARED TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. BRAKE POWER BOOSTER PUMP WENT OUT LEAVING THE VEHICLE BRAKELESS. *TC”
“WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, AND WHEN CHECKING VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THAT TENSIONER BELT PULLEY SYSTEM HAD SOME SCREWS THAT WERE CRACKING AND COMING LOOSE. CONTACTED DEALER, *AK”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camaro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 28 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Camaro Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Camaro Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Camaro Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 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.
Owners filed 191 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (86), engine and engine cooling (17), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).