1990 Chevrolet Camaro Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and seat belts (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 160,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Air bags7 28%
- Fuel system5 20%
- Seat belts5 20%
- Engine cooling4 16%
- Body and structure3 12%
- Steering2 8.0%
- Electrical system1 4.0%
- Equipment1 4.0%
- Other or unknown1 4.0%
- Seats1 4.0%
Also reported: Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “While traveling about 55 MPH, driver lost control of vehicle, hit a road sign, the left rear wheel and axle came off, the vehicle went about 20 feet into the woods, hit a tree head on, driver was ejected from the vehicle and killed. There was no deployment of the driver's side air bag, and the shoulder portion of the seat belt was also broken.”
NHTSA complaint #822301, filed 1998-04Fuel system: “Fuel system slowly leaks dangerous vapors, causing pressure loss and fire hazard. Exterior body paint peels in multpile locations due to lack of a primer layer being used when manufactured. Engine stalls after cold start.”
NHTSA complaint #10069181, filed 2004-01, 160,000 milesEngine cooling: “Leak coming from the fuel tank where the fill pipe meets the tank, resulting in bad gas mileage and leakage, the crack in the joint also lets fumes out”
NHTSA complaint #9000247, filed 2000-03Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 160,000 and 160,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Chevrolet Camaro version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camaro RWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Camaro RWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Camaro RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Camaro RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Camaro RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Camaro RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Camaro RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V114000Jun 12, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Chevrolet Camaro 1990, Pontiac Firebird 1990
Fuel return hoses may break at either crimped coupling.
- 90V105000May 14, 1990Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Chevrolet Camaro 1984–1990, Pontiac Firebird 1984–1990
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.
Recall details for the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE97008Inadvertent air bag deploymentClosed · Feb 3, 1997
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet Camaro have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.
Has the 1990 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.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro (Camaro, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 160,000 miles and the middle half falls between 160,000 and 160,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.