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FaultScore report

1999 Chevrolet Camaro problems

Owners have filed 133 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Camaro with NHTSA between 1998 and 2015. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 22 of 24 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Camaro All 1999 cars
B

FaultScore 39/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Camaro.

How this is worked out

The numbers

133

Complaints

7

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

43,516 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

19%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 42 vs 50 Severity 39 vs 50 Early failure 33 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 42
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Camaro. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 39
7.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 33
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Chevrolet Camaro

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 36 27.1%

Median failure at 48,758 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 24 18.0%

Median failure at 43,000 miles

Electrical System 17 12.8%

Median failure at 138,660 miles

Lights 7 5.3%

Median failure at 138,660 miles

Suspension 7 5.3%

Median failure at 27,258 miles

Airbags 7 5.3%

5 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 6 4.5%

Median failure at 91,088 miles

Other & Unspecified 5 3.8%

Median failure at 67,150 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 3.8%

Median failure at 45,634 miles

Body & Structure 5 3.8%

Median failure at 138,660 miles

Tires 4 3.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 4 3.0%

Median failure at 123,000 miles

Seat Belts 3 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 58,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 1.5%

Median failure at 43,516 miles

Steering 1 0.8%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Rotor 19 34.5%
Manual Transmission 7 12.7%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 7 12.7%
Clutch Assembly 6 10.9%
Frontal 6 10.9%
Disc 4 7.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 3 5.5%
Axle Assembly 3 5.5%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 9.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 13 41.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 16.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 6.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 8 25.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 1998 peak 10 Feb 2015

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 68,000 miles Franklin, MA Crash

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED VEERING. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS OCCURRED DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF THE TIRES. CONSUMER FELT TIRES HAD POOR TRACTION AND POOR PERFORMANCE. CONSUMER FOLLOWED TIRE ROTATION SPECS PER OWNERS MANUAL.

NHTSA complaint #10119088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harbor City, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT IN A FRONTAL COLLISON NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. CAUSING NECK AND BACK INJURIES. MR

NHTSA complaint #8020637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, DE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING COLLIDED IN REAR WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. WAS NOT AWARE OF TRAVEL SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #8014290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8002904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westend, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING INJUIRES. *AK VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westend, NC Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

WHILE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING INJUIRES. *AK VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 86,000 miles Holiday, FL

SEAT BELTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #10682441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MS

POWER TRAIN

I HAD A GUY TELL ME THAT GM WAS RECALLING IGNITION SWITCHES I JUST WONTED TO KNOW IF MY CAR WAS ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10608259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MS

AIR BAGS

I HAD A GUY TELL ME THAT GM WAS RECALLING IGNITION SWITCHES I JUST WONTED TO KNOW IF MY CAR WAS ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10608259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

I HAD A GUY TELL ME THAT GM WAS RECALLING IGNITION SWITCHES I JUST WONTED TO KNOW IF MY CAR WAS ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10608259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAD A GUY TELL ME THAT GM WAS RECALLING IGNITION SWITCHES I JUST WONTED TO KNOW IF MY CAR WAS ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10608259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Macedonia, OH

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA complaint #10607403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Macedonia, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA complaint #10607403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10499850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

INTERIOR LIGHTING

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10499850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FLOOR OF TRUNK IS WET AFTER RAIN; NO VISIBLE LEAKS HAVE BEEN DETECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10499852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10499850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY VOLT GAUGE DROPS BELOW 13. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME I COME TO A RED LIGHT, BUT IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH. ALSO, AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, THE ENGINE STALLS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT IS STARTED. (ONLY WHEN IN DRIVE).

NHTSA complaint #10499853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

ENGINE

ENGINE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY VOLT GAUGE DROPS BELOW 13. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME I COME TO A RED LIGHT, BUT IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH. ALSO, AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, THE ENGINE STALLS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT IS STARTED. (ONLY WHEN IN DRIVE).

NHTSA complaint #10499853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,660 miles Philadelphia, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY VOLT GAUGE DROPS BELOW 13. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME I COME TO A RED LIGHT, BUT IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH. ALSO, AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, THE ENGINE STALLS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT IS STARTED. (ONLY WHEN IN DRIVE).

NHTSA complaint #10499853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

TIRES

VALVE STEM FAILURE CAUSING LEAKS AND ULTIMATELY, NEED TO REPLACE ALL TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10262742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

TIRES

VALVE STEM FAILURE RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY, THE NEED TO REPLACE ALL TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10262745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Royal Palm Beach, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN REFUELING THE CAR, GAS WILL SPILL OUT WHILE FILLING THE TANK. THERE IS SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH VENTING OF THE GAS TANK WHEN REFUELING. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR RUNS FINE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALLS OR TSB'S FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THE TECH I SPOKE WITH SAID HE HAS NOT HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON CAMARO RELATED TECHNICAL WEB SITES AND ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAMARO, FIREBIRD AND TRANSAM COMMUNITY, BUT DIDN'T FIND A RESOLUTION. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #10240826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,103 miles Lake Mary, FL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WILL ONLY DEPRESS HALF WAY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #99V239000 REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE CONTACT IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CONTACT. UPDATED 06/27/06.

NHTSA complaint #10159839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Hudsonvilel, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND MANY COMPLAINTS, THE WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, AND THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN. THE WIPER STALK WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED AND THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN. THE MOTOR WAS AGAIN REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES. THEY CURRENTLY ARE WORKING, BUT I EXPECT THEM TO FAIL AGAIN SOON.

NHTSA complaint #10122102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Hudsonville, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE, BUT APPEARS TO BE FASTENED PROPERLY. I HAVE HAD MANY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (MORE THAN 10) IN WHICH I FASTENED MY SEATBELT AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY AND THE SEATBELT POPPED OUT OF THE RECEIVER, OR EVEN ARRIVING AT MY LOCATION, AND BEFORE I UN-SNAPPED MY SEATBELT, IT CAME LOOSE FROM THE RECEIVER. THE SEATBELT LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BUT THE SEATBELT APPARENTLY WAS NOT ENGAGED PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10122100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Franklin, MA Crash

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED VEERING. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS OCCURRED DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF THE TIRES. CONSUMER FELT TIRES HAD POOR TRACTION AND POOR PERFORMANCE. CONSUMER FOLLOWED TIRE ROTATION SPECS PER OWNERS MANUAL.

NHTSA complaint #10119088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Castle Rock, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VERY BAD SHIMMY AND SHAKE WHEN BRAKING, ALSO WHEN TRYING TO SPPED UP FROM A DEAD STOP OR OTHERWISE CAR PULLS BACK, OR STUMBLES. AT ABOUT 45000 MILES A VALVE BROKE INTO THREE PIECES. HAD HEADS REPLACED. BRAKES AND STUMBLING IS REOCCURING BRAKES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 99 AND STUMBLE SINCE EARLY 2004. SPEAKERS LOCATED IN THE BACK SEAT PANELS ALSO KEEP BLOWING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10100567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn Heights, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENT AREA. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

NHTSA complaint #10099266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Juneau, AK

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE COIL SPRING AXLE BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10097433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Nokomis, FL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

THE CLUTCH WAS STICKING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. RECALL #99V239000.

NHTSA complaint #10092403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.