Most common 1998 Chevrolet Camaro problems
Share of the 173 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Camaro complaints by model year
Best Camaro years: 2021, 2022, 2023. Years to avoid: 2010, 2015, 1995. Compare all years →
What 1998 Chevrolet Camaro owners say
Brakes all 92 →
Front brake rotors warped on 1998 Chevrolet Camaro z28; I know of several people personally that have 1998 and up camaros/firebirds that had this issue. I have also heard many similar complaints from people in car clubs and internet message boards. People refer to the stock rotors as junk because they warp so often which leads me to the conclusion that the car manufacture did not put adequately designed rotors on the vehicles. People with this issue say to buy non-OEM rotors because they will warp again and simply having the rotors turned does not help as they warp again. I have actually had my rotors turned and new brakes (installed by dealership with OEM parts) put on the car and I have the warping issue. Mechanics that I know also agree that the brakes/rotors are not adequately designed for these vehicles.
While driving 70 MPH the brake caliper bolt separated from underneath the vehicle. When the brakes were applied, the driver began to hear a rumbling sound. The vehicle then surged back and forth violently. As a result, the driver sustained severe neck injuries.
Engine & cooling
Consumer was driving vehicle. Crossing bridge onto interstate at approximately 25-30 MPH when noticed smoke and flames coming from dash area. Local fire department arrived and put the fire out. Reason for fire is unknown at this time. Dealer /manufacture notified.
I have had an excessive number of problems with this vehicle. The latest problem is the radiator hose blew off the the water pump causing the engine to overheat and seize. I was already in the process of documenting an oil consumption problem. The extended factory warranty company (gmpp) has changed their mind 4 times about why it's not covered under warranty. I paid $23,000 for this car and now I have to rebuild the motor too! If anyone else has experienced similar problems with gmpp, I would like you to contact me by e-mail at [email] my suggestion is to never buy an extended warranty because it won't do you any good if you ever have a major claim.
Electrical system
1998 Camaro z28 cov. With 12,000 miles em delco battery leaked acid from terminal, damaging paint inside engine compartment and causing rust to frame and other parts. Dealer said it was not "uncommon" for these batteries to leak from the terminal. Dealer refused to cover damage ($890.00), even thou damage appear to have occured during warranty period. Please investigate battery leakage problem!! Several individual cases citied on internet car hobby sites for Camaro and corvettes. Please help!!
Chevrolet Camaro 1998 3.8l v6.attery retension tray failed, causing the battery to become loose inside engine compartment. Problem was found during oil change. Plastic lip, holding bottom of the battery has broke off, leaving no retension feature on the tray. New tray must be purchased to fix the problem. I suspect there is a possibility of battery short circuit and potential fire hazard if battery terminal contact car body during vehicle operation.
1998 Chevrolet Camaro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro a good car?
Based on 173 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Camaro rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Camaro at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro?
The brakes — 92 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the engine & cooling (17) and electrical system (16).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Camaro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2022 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2015 and 1995. See the full Chevrolet Camaro years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Camaro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 54% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.