1979 Chevrolet Camaro Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 245,136miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro. The part named most often is tires, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and steering (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 245,136 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Tires3 50%
- Engine cooling1 17%
- Steering1 17%
Example complaints
Tires: “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”
NHTSA complaint #10454889, filed 2012-04, 245,136 milesSteering: “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 dealer was not notified of the crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464674, filed 2012-07Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,000 and 247,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 80V108000Aug 19, 1980Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › ArmCovers: Chevrolet Camaro 1979–1980, Pontiac Firebird 1979–1980
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.
- 79V142000Jun 6, 1979Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Chevrolet Camaro 1979, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1979, Chevrolet Caprice 1979 +15 more
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…
Recall details for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP85025Fuel leakage at filler neckClosed · Jun 14, 1985
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Camaro
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 | — | 0 | 5 | 20 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 14 | 23,000 | 1 | 5 | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 20 | 49,330 | 4 | 5 | 20 | — | Stable |
| 2020 | 32 | 21,000 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 8 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 53 | 12,475 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 81 | 21,000 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 25 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 190 | 21,655 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 66 · More | Stable |
| 2016 | 141 | 20,315 | 1 | — | 22 | 37 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 206 | 38,000 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 188 | 37,400 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 187 | 40,000 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 113 | 34,000 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 194 | 40,000 | 2 | — | 20 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 295 | 48,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2002 | 68 | 20,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 48 | 43,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 76 | 52,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 90 | 57,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 173 | 43,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 69 | 63,492 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 116 | 58,075 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 216 | 104,042 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 144 | 130,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 32 | 97,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 88 | 96,084 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1991 | 86 | 94,250 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 25 | 160,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 25 | 119,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | 76,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 32 | 99,960 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 46 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 39 | 99,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1983 | 16 | 172,500 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1979 | 6 | 245,136 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Camaro model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 245,136 miles and the middle half falls between 28,000 and 247,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.