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1988 Chevrolet CamaroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 1988 Chevrolet Camaro, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints171 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage52kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Chevrolet Camaro has problems

17 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline50
Seat belts50
Steering20
Latches/locks/linkages10
Engine and engine cooling10
Service brakes11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Electrical system10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Chevrolet Camaro recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 90V-115 · Jun 12, 1990 · 29,331 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS COUPLING SEPARATED, ALLOWING GASOLINE TO LEAK,AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 90V-105 · May 14, 1990 · 1,500,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Camaro year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camaro median. How we score

'67'68'69'71'73'74'75'76'77'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Chevrolet Camaro, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  2. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILUREEA90012 · closed Apr 24, 1991
    No recall
  3. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  4. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURESPE89164 · closed Feb 28, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Camaro owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL FILLER NECK IS LOOSE, IN ADDITION THERE IS A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER DO NOT OWN THIS KIND OF VEHICLE.
Complaint 809702 · Mar 5, 1997
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY CAR STUTTERED AS THOUGH BAD FUEL/CLOGGED EFI SYSTEM WAS TO BLAME,UPON DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL TO COUNTERACT THIS STUTTER, GASOLINE SPRAYED OUT OF THE A/C VENTS AND INTO THE CAB/INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVER. *AK
Complaint 756728 · Jan 11, 2002
THERE IS A CONSISTANT FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUE TANK. IT SEEMS THERE ARE 2 LEAKS, ONE AT THE FILLER NECK ON THE FUEL TANK SIDE AND ANOTHER ON TOP SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FUEL PUMP RESIDES. THE ODOR IS CONSISTANT AND VERY STRONG.
Complaint 715550 · Dec 2, 1999

Own a 1988 Camaro?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.