1989 Chevrolet CAMARO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
119,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 27.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 1; Parking Brake: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 2; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 10038815 · 2003-09-13 (September 13, 2003)
IGNITION/BAT/SECURITY SYSTEM/WIRING/ALTERNATOR/BATTERY THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AND THE CAR WON'T START. SOMETIMES FOR HOURS. ONCE THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS IT WILL START. HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AT LEAST 2 TIMES A YEAR FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062657 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)
GMC REFUSES TO REPLACE MY FAULTY SEAT BELTS AND HAND BRAKE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106673 · 2005-01-03 (January 3, 2005)
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, PASSENGER CANNOT USE THE SEAT BELT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 119,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201498 · 2007-08-28 (August 28, 2007)
1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOTICED IT WAS ON FIRE. *KB ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE FIRE WAS PRESENT A THE LEFT REAR QUARTER OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL FILL OPENING. IT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO ACTUAL CAUSE OF FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483144 · 1995-08-16 (August 16, 1995)
REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501037 · 1996-01-27 (January 27, 1996)
FRONT SEAT BELTS BROKEN. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718472 · 2000-02-08 (February 8, 2000)
THIS AUTO DEALER HAS USE MANY UNLAWFUL ACTS TO SALE THIS CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733798 · 2000-10-09 (October 9, 2000)
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS INOPERATIVE. TOOK CAR IN FOR EMISSIONS TESTING AND REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP CAR WHILE REAR WHEELS WERE ON ROLLERS. REAR BRAKES WILL NOT STOP WHEELS WHEN REAR OF VEHICLE IS RAISED AND VEHICLE PLACED IN DRIVE. HAVE NOT HAD TO CHANGE REAR BRAKE PADS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO. PARKING BRAKE STICKS. HAVE TO MANUALLY RELEASE PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM. CAR SEEMS TO TAKE LONGER TO STOP THAN ANY REAR DRUM CAMARO I'VE EVER OWNED. HAVE ASKED AROUND ON VARIOUS CAMARO SPECIFIC WEB SITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733798 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V191000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1988-12-13 (December 13, 1988)
WEBBING ON THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE REAR LAP/SHOULDER BELTS MAY BE TOO LONG.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH, THE EFFECTIVENESSOF THE LAP/SHOULDER BELT MAY BE REDUCED.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR INBOARD SEAT BELTS WITH BELTS OF THE PROPER LENGTH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V105000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1990-05-14 (May 14, 1990)
PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V115000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1990-06-12 (June 12, 1990)
FUEL FEED HOSES MAY PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IF THIS COUPLING SEPARATED, ALLOWING GASOLINE TO LEAK,AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED FUEL FEED HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗