1997 Chevrolet CAMARO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002949 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
LEAK IN REAR MAIN SEAL
Owner-reported narrative. 67,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005061 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
WITHIN 5 MONTHS OF PURCHASE (THE MILEAGE WAS 59585 WHEN ISSUES BEGAN) I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE, AND TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 10 TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR, AND WAS CHARGED $500 EVERY TIME FOR THEM TO PUT NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES AND SEND ME HOME ONLY TO COME BACK A MONTH LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY WORSE. THIS LASTED UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEN I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB (#CHV0230345) AND IT WAS ACCEPTED FOR ARBITRATION BUT THE MANUFACTURER NEVER CONTACTED ME AS THEY WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,585 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009368 · 2002-06-09 (June 9, 2002)
CENTER BEARING BROKEN INSIDE MOTOR. *AK *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIST*762837
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009830 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT HIT ANOTHER DRIVER. NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022307 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL, ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN HE HIT A TREE, BOUNCED FORWARD, AND SMASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022307 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10046540 · 2003-11-07 (November 7, 2003)
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM WAS DEVELOPING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046540 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V219000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 1996-11-04 (November 4, 1996)
THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS OUT OF DESIGN POSITION WHICH CAN CAUSE THE RETRACTOR TO LOCK-UP ON SLOPES LESS SEVERE THAN THE FMVSS REQUIREMENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗