1996 Chevrolet Camaro
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1985 | 48 |
| 1986 | 33 |
| 1987 | 28 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 25 |
| 1990 | 25 |
| 1991 | 87 |
| 1992 | 88 |
| 1993 | 32 |
| 1994 | 158 |
| 1995 | 217 |
| 1996 | 116 |
| 1997 | 69 |
| 1998 | 173 |
| 1999 | 90 |
| 2000 | 76 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 68 |
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 113 |
| 2013 | 187 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 206 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 186 |
| 2018 | 80 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
17% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle shaft.
INJURY16% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT DRIVER FENDER AT 45 MILE PER HOUR DESTROYED MY CAR NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED I AM INJURED I BOUNCED OFF STEERING WHEEL WHEN WE HIT MY SEAT BELT UNLOCKED ABOUT BROKE MY WHOLE RIB CAGE. *JS
NHTSA ODI report, 20150224
Also filed under SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM VEHICLE VEERED AND BUMPED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. VEHICLE ONLY HAD SCRATCHES ON THE BUMPER, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WINDSHIELD BROKE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20031215
ANOTHER CAR HIT HEAD ON, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960604
15% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and module.
Show complaint excerpts
PARKED CAR IN PUBLIC PARKING SPACE FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES. TRIED TO START CAR WITH NO RESULTS. CHECKED BATTERY ETC. LEFT CAR OVER NIGHT AND HAD IT TOWED 20 MILES TO BOYD CHEVROLET IN HENDERSONVILLE, NC. BOYD REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140901
SAFETY TIMELINE
FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Chevrolet Camaro — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Camaro have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.