Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Chevrolet Camaro, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 21 | 21% |
| Air bags | 16 | 16% |
| Structure | 10 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Power train | 5 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 4% |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING FROM MY GAS CAP, EVERYTIME I FILL IT UP WITH GAS IT LEAKS OUT THE SIDE. IT'S BEEN RUINING MY PAINT ON THE INSIDE TOO. IT LEAKS WHEN I START DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I AM A SENIOR. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE GARAGE. MY CAR WILL NOT RUN. I HAVE 29440 MILES ON IT. THE LAST TIME IT RAN WAS SEPT 2011 .ALL THE MACHANICS SAY THE SAME THING IT IS A CHEVROLET PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS IN T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I AM A SENIOR ,, I HAVE A 1992 CAMARO THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. I HAVE ONLY 3000 MILES ON IT . IT HAS NOT RUN SINCE 2011. I NEED A CAR. I HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT IT, THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING IT IS THE IGNITIO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1992 CHEVROLET CAMERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO. CONSUMER STATES HER GRANDSON WAS IN ACCIDENT. HER GRANDSON HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, THE FORCE FROM THE AIR BAGS CAUSED INJURIES TO HIS FACE. *TA A
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 92 CHEVY CAMARO [XXX] SMELL OF GAS FROM FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED - FUEL TANK INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT 92C360 DATE 6/
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND F
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN STUCK IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY. HE COULD MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL RE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1992 Chevrolet Camaro. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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 AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE CRACKS AND HOLES CAN ALLOW FUEL VAPOR AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THOSE WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 21 of them (21%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.