1979 Chevrolet Camaro problems
The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro shared its platform and major components with the Firebird, produced by General Motors' Pontiac division that was also introduced for 1967.
Four distinct generations of the Camaro were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived on a concept car that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro; production started on March 16, 2009.
The Camaro was discontinued at the end of the 2024 model year. Production ended in December 2023. However, Chevrolet has stated, "This is not the end of Camaro's story."
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Common 1979 Chevrolet Camaro problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro, here are some common problems associated with this model:
- Coolant and Oil Leaks: Camaros from 1979 were prone to developing leaks around the intake manifold gasket, leading to coolant or oil leaks. If not addressed promptly, this could result in severe engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket was necessary to resolve this issue.
- Starting Issues: Owners of Camaros from 1979 reported problems with the car not starting, often accompanied by the security light coming on. This issue was linked to the anti-theft system, specifically the ignition lock cylinder, which needed replacement to fix the problem.
- Fuel Pump Failures: Camaros manufactured between 1979 and 1982 were susceptible to fuel pump failures if the fuel pump filter wasn't replaced as needed. Symptoms of a failing fuel pump included difficulty starting, engine stalls, misfires, and reduced power. Regularly replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 miles was recommended to prevent this issue.
- Water Pump Leaks: Some 1979 Camaros experienced leaks around the water pump, leading to coolant escaping and potentially causing the engine to overheat. To address this problem, replacing the water pump with a high-quality aftermarket replacement was advised.
- T-Top Seal Failures: Camaros featuring T-tops from 1979 were prone to water leaks due to failing seals. Replacing the old seals with new ones was the solution to prevent water from leaking into the vehicle.
- Engine Mount Deterioration: The rubber material of the engine mounts in 1979 Camaros tended to deteriorate over time, causing clunking noises when the engine lifted out of place momentarily. Replacing the OEM engine mounts with high-quality polyurethane replacements was recommended to resolve this issue.
- Back Seat Fabric Tears: Over time, the fabric of the back seat in some 1979 Camaros was prone to tearing due to sun exposure. To minimize this problem, tinting the glass of the rear hatch was suggested.
- Dashboard Cracking: The dashboard in 1979 Camaros was prone to cracking when exposed to prolonged sunlight. Using aftermarket plastic shells or fabric dash covers to protect the dashboard from cracking was advised.
- Transmission Mount Rips: The rubber material of the transmission mount in some 1979 Camaros tended to rip, causing the transmission to bounce out of place during hard braking or gear shifting. Replacing the ripped OEM transmission mount with a high-quality polyurethane replacement was recommended.
- Weak Lift Supports: The lift supports of the hood and rear hatch in 1979 Camaros tended to weaken over time, causing these parts not to stay open. Replacing the worn lift supports with high-quality replacements was the solution to this problem.
Are 1979 Camaros good cars?
Most reliable car I've owned
Still running. My children all got there drivers license in it. It is a z-28. I can still get in it crank it and go.
What is the most common problem with Camaros?
Most of the time, the issue concerned the Camaro's water pump system. It's possible for fifth-gen engines to produce loud noises, stall or shut down completely due to a lack of coolant. You could notice this Chevy Camaro issue somewhere around the 80,000-mile mark.
Are 1979 Camaros rare?
Chevrolet Camaro production for 1979 rose slightly to 282,571 units, as the attractively named Camaro Berlinetta replaced the Type LT. The Berlinetta was basically a stylish trim package, but proved quite popular, with 67,236 sold.
What engine did the 1979 Camaro have?
Sales for 1979 were the highest ever for any generation Camaro before or since, numbering 282,571 units. Engine choices remained with the 250 I6 standard in the base and RS models, with the 305 2bbl being an option and standard on the Berlinetta.
Is a 1979 Camaro a good car?
1979 was a good year for the Chevy Camaro. The uncharacteristically un-muscle car Type LT was dropped, and the Berlinetta made its debut. The dashboard was replaced and provided more modern conveniences, including controls for an electric rear window defrost and well-designed AC vents.
What is the most common problem with Camaros?
Most of the time, the issue concerned the Camaro's water pump system. It's possible for fifth-gen engines to produce loud noises, stall or shut down completely due to a lack of coolant. You could notice this Chevy Camaro issue somewhere around the 80,000-mile mark.
Are 1979 Camaros rare?
Chevrolet Camaro production for 1979 rose slightly to 282,571 units, as the attractively named Camaro Berlinetta replaced the Type LT. The Berlinetta was basically a stylish trim package, but proved quite popular, with 67,236 sold.
What engine did the 1979 Camaro have?
Sales for 1979 were the highest ever for any generation Camaro before or since, numbering 282,571 units. Engine choices remained with the 250 I6 standard in the base and RS models, with the 305 2bbl being an option and standard on the Berlinetta.
1979 Chevrolet Camaro car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Camaro problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
- Steering problems
- Visibility problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Chevrolet Camaro vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1979 Chevrolet Camaro complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1982-05-14
- Number Of Injuries: 3
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-01-03
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE: 205/70/14. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A PIN HOLE ON THE TREAD AND SIDE WALL JUNCTURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD ALSO FAILED. THE VIN AND DOT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,136. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-12-09
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE TIRE BRAND WAS KUMHO AND THE TIRE SIZE WAS P205/70/R14(NA). THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE DEFLATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. HE CONTACTED A ROADSIDE SERVICE THAT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE. WITHIN HOURS, THE SPARE TIRE FAILED. THE DEALER REFILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO THE OWNER. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE SPARE TIRE HAD DEFLATED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 251,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-01
- VIN: 9999
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE FRONT TIRES CRACKED AROUND THE BEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THERE WAS CRACKING IN THE BEAD AREA OF THE SIDEWALL OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE OTHER TIRE DOT# WAS KUKENX712300. *SCC *JB
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-01
- VIN: 1S87L560569
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-29
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH
1979 Chevrolet Camaro recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: 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. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
- Summary: 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.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
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