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1979 Chevrolet Camaro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
6Owner complaints

Model-year median: 32

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tires
3Engine And Engine Cooling
1Steering
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Steering complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2012
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* 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 …

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TL* 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER (711084923939) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 80V108000 (STEERING:LINKAGES :KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM) BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ..UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10464674

Official recalls

2

80V108000 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm

Aug 19, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A TORQUE CHECK OF THE ATTACHING NUT, AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN IT. IN SOME CASES AN INADEQUATE TORQUE LEVEL MAY HAVE CAUSED BALL STUD OR STEERING KNUCKLE DAMAGE; IF SO, THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V142000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jun 6, 1979

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 CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP85025 · Fuel Leakage At Filler Neck

Opened Jun 14, 1985 · Closed Nov 27, 1985

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

FUEL LEAKAGE AT FILLER NECK