Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 Camaro.
The 1979 Chevrolet Camaro stands as a notably stable entry within the model's documented reliability history, which spans from 1990 to 2023. With only six total owner complaints and three recalls on record, the vehicle exhibits a remarkably low complaint volume, with its primary reported issue centered specifically on tires. This low-complaint profile is particularly striking when contrasted against the 295 complaints logged for the 2010 model year—the highest in the dataset. Consequently, the 1979 Camaro occupies a relatively trouble-free position in the nameplate's long-term reliability trajectory, indicating fewer systemic issues compared to its later, more problematic iterations.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 194.5 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 48.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3349 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Camaro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.30 sec | 16.00 sec | 185 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 8.60 sec | 16.30 sec | 185 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 8.60 sec | 16.40 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.70 sec | 17.50 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 6.70 sec | 15.00 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 7.41 sec | 15.55 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.50 sec | 17.50 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
| 1984 | Berlinetta Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.30 sec | 17.00 sec | 150 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
For the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro, federal data highlights Tires as the primary concern with three complaints, alongside single complaints for Steering, Visibility, and Engine & Engine Cooling, as well as one crash and one fire incident. While the provided year-by-year federal record tracks the vehicle's later generation starting in 1990—showing a trend of fluctuating but significantly higher complaints that peak at 295 in 2010—the 1979 model year falls entirely before this recorded arc, preventing a direct before-and-after comparison. The data does not specify the root causes for the 1979 issues, but its complaint volume is notably minimal compared to the hundreds of issues logged for subsequent decades. Given the extremely low number of federal complaints documented for this specific year, the 1979 Camaro stands as a statistically sound purchase, provided you carefully inspect the tires and steering system.
All 6 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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.
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…
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.