Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1983 Chevrolet Camaro: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro, most recently filed April 1991. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1983 Chevrolet Camaro. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V055000 Filed Apr 11, 1991

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE:MECHANICAL

Parking brake · conventional
Official NHTSA text
Summary
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Consequence
PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
Repair progress not yet reported179,036 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V055000
Listed for 1983 Chevrolet Camaro. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 85V169000 Filed Dec 20, 1985

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SHOULDER BELTS

Seat belts · front · webbing
Official NHTSA text
Summary
DISLOCATION OF A SPRING COVER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT TO RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ALTHOUGH INERTIAL FEATURE THAT LOCKS THE LAP BELT AND SHOULDER BELT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ARE NOT AFFECTED, IF SLACK IS MORE THAN RECOMMENDED IN OWNERS MANUAL, INJURIES TO UPPER BODY AND HEAD WOULD BE INCREASED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINING SPRINGS ON SPRING COVER OF FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR AND, WHEN REQUIRED, RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported738,485 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 85V169000
Listed for 1983 Chevrolet Camaro. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 83V049000 Filed May 2, 1983

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:FRAME AND PANEL

Structure · body · hood
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS OF THE FIBERGLASS HOOD COULD SEPARATE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported4,393 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 83V049000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (16)

16 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 16.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1983 compares with other Camaro years

Best and worst Camaro years →
1981198219831984198519861987198819891990
This year (1983)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1983 Camaro for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Camaro years

Where to next

1983 Chevrolet Camaro FAQ

How many recalls does the 1983 Chevrolet Camaro have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 91V055000 (brake), 85V169000 (seat belt), 83V049000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1983 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (8), Structure (7), Fuel system (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1983 Camaro compare with other years?

Among the 1981–1990 Chevrolet Camaro model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1985 the most (46). The 1983 drew 16. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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