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1990 Chevrolet Camaro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Camaro.

The 1990 Chevrolet Camaro stands as a classic American muscle sedan built on the front‑wheel‑drive Z platform, powered by a robust inline‑six engine that requires 4 qt of 5W‑30 API oil for optimal lubrication; this model year, while still delivering the Camaro’s characteristic performance, sits near the middle of the brand’s reliability curve, with a total of 28 owner complaints and five recalls, and its most common issue being air‑bag defects—an anomaly that, although not the highest in the Camaro’s history, signals a moderate reliability standing relative to the 295 complaints peak in 2010 and the 13 complaints record in 2022.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 1990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	192.1 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	50.4 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3053 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 1990 IROC-Z 1LE Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1990	IROC-Z 1LE Coupe 5.7L V8	5.80 sec	14.40 sec	245 hp	RWD
1989	IROC-Z 350 Coupe 5.7L V8	7.22 sec	15.67 sec	230 hp	RWD
1987	IROC-Z 350 Coupe 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.50 sec	225 hp	RWD
1987	IROC-Z 305 Coupe 5.0L V8	7.10 sec	15.20 sec	215 hp	RWD
1993	Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.30 sec	14.00 sec	275 hp	RWD
1993	Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.60 sec	14.00 sec	275 hp	RWD
1994	Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.40 sec	14.10 sec	275 hp	RWD
1994	Z28 Convertible 5.7L V8	6.20 sec	14.50 sec	275 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1990 model year records the lowest complaint volume (28) within the 1990–1992 window, significantly trailing the 110 and 101 complaints filed in 1991 and 1992, while also showing fewer investigations (1) than the six and three launched in those subsequent years. This positions 1990 at the beginning of an upward trend that saw recalls hold steady at five to seven units annually but complaints spike dramatically, suggesting deteriorating reliability or reporting patterns as the platform aged. Federal data identifies Air Bags (6 complaints), Engine & Engine Cooling (4), Fuel System (4), and Seat Belts (4) as primary concern areas, alongside eight crash-related incidents, though the data does not specify causal relationships for these events. With zero fire complaints and modest regulatory activity compared to the immediate spike in 1991, the 1990 model represents a relatively stable data point before documented issues escalated. For prospective buyers, 1990 offers a statistically favorable profile within this generation's final years, making it a sound purchase provided verification of the five recall campaigns and air bag system condition.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags6

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Seat Belts4

Structure2

Visibility2

Fuel System, Gasoline,Equipment,Unknown Or Other1

Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

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… Remedy: 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.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
020730024A	2005-08-01	Power Train	DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
01697	2004-01-01	Equipment	NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR…
876002A	1998-07-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camaro. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Camaro take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Camaro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.