1997 Chevrolet CAMARO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
63,493 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 33 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 15.2% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 |
Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 5; 2002: 7; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10024317 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE TURN SIGNAL AND PARKING "YELLOW" LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING. CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE THAT WAY. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BLEW, CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED AS A ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103349 · 2004-12-08 (December 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED, CAUSING A SMALL FIRE IN THE WIRING BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. CONSUMER DID NOT REPORT FIRE TO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALSO, DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10816172 · 2015-12-24 (December 24, 2015)
THIS CAR IS A 97 Z28 WITH THE 350CI MOTOR AND 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE NOT TURNING, THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ISSUE PRESENTS ITSELF UNDER ICY CONDITIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I PULLED INTO A SPOT AT A FAST FOOD PLACE, THE PARKING SPOT WAS ICY WHILE THE REST OF THE LOT WAS ICE FREE. AS I PULLED INTO THE SPOT, I PUT ON MY BRAKES AND THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED, BUT THE REAR DID NOT. THEY WERE ON THE CLEAR PART OF THE P…
Owner-reported narrative. 152,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10816172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711192 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750877 · 2001-08-21 (August 21, 2001)
GMC PAPER WORK ADMITS A DESIGN DEFECT, LOOKING FOR OTHER POWER TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718042 · 2000-01-29 (January 29, 2000)
CAR STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING AS IF TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8012903 · 2002-06-28 (June 28, 2002)
ENGINE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8012903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040373 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING BROKE WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO SPILL OUT AND TOTAL FAILURE OF THE STEERING. *AK THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098101 · 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)
DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN STEERING ARM BROKE, RESULTING IN CAR GOING OFF THE ROAD THROUGH A DITCH LEADING TO SEVERE CRASH.NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018528 · 2002-09-12 (September 12, 2002)
#5 FUEL INJECTOR FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN CONSIDERABLY, ALMOST HAVING A COLLISION. CONSUMER THIS WAS3RD FAILED FUEL INJECTOR IN 5 YEARS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018528 at NHTSA ↗