1979 Chevrolet CAMARO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
245,136 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1979 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 |
Tires: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Steering: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
1996: 1; 2003: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038131 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
THE FRONT TIRES CRACKED AROUND THE BEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THERE WAS CRACKING IN THE BEAD AREA OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE OTHER TIRE DOT# WAS KUKENX712300. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326683 · 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE TIRE BRAND WAS KUMHO AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/70/R14(NA). THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE DEFLATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. HE CONTACTED A ROADSIDE SERVICE THAT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE. WITHIN HOURS, THE SPARE TIRE FAILED. THE DEALER REFILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO THE OWNER. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE SPARE TIRE HAD DEFLATED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE FAILURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 247,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454889 · 2012-04-11 (April 11, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE: 205/70/14. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A PIN HOLE ON THE TREAD AND SIDE WALL JUNCTURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD ALSO FAILED. THE VIN AND DOT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,136. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 245,136 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464674 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR REGAIN CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED, AS WELL AS THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WHO WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND FILED A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS HOSPITALIZED BUT DIED 18 DAYS AFTER THE CRASH DUE TO COMPLICATIONS. THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10464674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503367 · 1996-03-29 (March 29, 1996)
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503367 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
79V142000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1979-06-06 (June 6, 1979)
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗80V108000 · Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm
Reported: 1980-08-19 (August 19, 1980)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHING NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO BACK OFF, RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATION.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A TORQUE CHECK OF THE ATTACHING NUT, AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN IT. IN SOME CASES AN INADEQUATE TORQUE LEVEL MAY HAVE CAUSED BALL STUD OR STEERING KNUCKLE DAMAGE; IF SO, THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗