Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Camaro.
The 1982 Chevrolet Camaro occupies a single model year within a nameplate whose reliability footprint, as documented from 1990 through 2023, has varied widely—from a peak of 295 complaints in 2010 down to a low of just 13 in 2022. For this specific model year, owner reports are exceptionally thin, with only three complaints logged across seat belts, service brakes, and the fuel/propulsion system, alongside four recalls on file. That minimal complaint volume places the 1982 squarely at the quiet end of the Camaro's overall service history, offering researchers a notably clean data point to weigh against the nameplate's more turbulent middle decades.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 187.8 in |
| Overall width | 72 in |
| Overall height | 50 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1985 | Berlinetta Coupe 2.8L V6 | 10.00 sec | 17.00 sec | 135 hp | RWD |
| 1978 | Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.30 sec | 16.00 sec | 185 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record does not contain any complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB data for the 1982 Chevrolet Camaro, so a direct quantitative assessment of that year is unavailable. Looking at the earliest decade represented (1990‑1999), complaints fluctuate widely (28‑269) while recalls remain modest (4‑7 per year, with no clear upward or downward trend). From 2000 onward, complaints settle into a narrower band (13‑295) and recalls continue to hover between 1‑5 annually, indicating a relatively stable regulatory environment across the generation. The 1982 model therefore falls before the documented range, but the surrounding years suggest that the Camaro platform has not experienced a dramatic escalation in safety‑related complaints or recalls. **Takeaway:** With no federal complaint or recall data for 1982 and a generally steady record for later years, the 1982 Camaro does not appear to carry a known systemic safety issue, making it a reasonable year to consider—subject to a thorough mechanical inspection.
All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 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.
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR. Remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
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 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.