1998 Chevrolet CAMARO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
79 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
43,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 79 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 35.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 15.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 30; 2001: 20; 2002: 7; 2003: 8; 2004: 9; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010864 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED ON 1998 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28; I KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE PERSONALLY THAT HAVE 1998 AND UP CAMAROS/FIREBIRDS THAT HAD THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE IN CAR CLUBS AND INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. PEOPLE REFER TO THE STOCK ROTORS AS JUNK BECAUSE THEY WARP SO OFTEN WHICH LEADS ME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE CAR MANUFACTURE DID NOT PUT ADEQUATELY DESIGNED ROTORS ON THE VEHICLES. PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE SAY TO BUY NON-OEM ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WILL WARP AGAIN AND SIMPLY HAVING THE ROTORS TURNED DO…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044349 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT SEPARATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE DRIVER BEGAN TO HEAR A RUMBLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE THEN SURGED BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK INJURIES. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025715 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY CAMARO WHERE THE LOWER RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE FIXED AND WAS LOOKING AT A RECALL FOR 97-98 RECALLS AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR CARS FROM CHEVY, I THINK THEY OVERLOOKED THE CAMARO'S I CALLED CHEVY AND PUT IN A COMPLAINT WITH THEM BIT DON'T THINK ANYTHING WILL COME FROM IT, I THINK IT'S MORE THAN CONCIDENCE THAT MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER SIMILAR CHEVROLETS WHAT CAN BE DONE?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10593701 · 2014-05-23 (May 23, 2014)
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 NOTI…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043750 · 2003-10-28 (October 28, 2003)
1998 CAMARO Z28 COV. WITH 12,000 MILES EM DELCO BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM TERMINAL, DAMAGING PAINT INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING RUST TO FRAME AND OTHER PARTS. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT "UNCOMMON" FOR THESE BATTERIES TO LEAK FROM THE TERMINAL. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGE ($890.00), EVEN THOU DAMAGE APPEAR TO HAVE OCCURED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BATTERY LEAKAGE PROBLEM!! SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL CASES CITIED ON INTERNET CAR HOBBY SITES FOR CAMARO AND CORVETTES. PLEASE HELP!! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090886 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 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-reported narrative. 129,530 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750990 · 2001-08-23 (August 23, 2001)
TRANSMISSION & TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 54,000 MILES. EASY, HIGHWAY MILEAGE ONLY ON VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE SINCE DAY PURCHASED. VEHICLE MAINTAINED IN STRICT ADHERENCE TO OWNER'S MANUAL LONG TRIP/HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 760912 · 2002-04-19 (April 19, 2002)
CAR HAD LITTLE TO NO POWER UPON TAKE OFF. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THEY HAD TO PULL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE WIRING HARNESS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056578 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259953 · 2009-02-25 (February 25, 2009)
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-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863095 · 2000-06-06 (June 6, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND VEHICLE HESITATED/STALLED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863095 at NHTSA ↗