Total Complaints
88 filings
CHEVROLET CAMARO · model year
88 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997CHEVROLETCAMARO carries 88 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 CAMARO is engine and engine cooling:engine with 6 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (5) and power train:driveline:driveshaft (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1997 CAMARO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
88 filings
Crashes Reported
16 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 2 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
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 PARKING LOT AND THEY SHOULD HAVE STOPPED MY FORWARD MOTION, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT. SLID AHEAD UNTIL THE FRONT HIT THE SNOW BANK. THOUGHT THIS WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DIDN'T CONCERN MYSELF ABOUT IT ANY MORE. NEXT TIME I BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I HAD THE REAR (BOTH) WHEELS OF THE CAR OFF THE GROUND AND I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AS I WANTED TO CHECK IF ONE OF THE REAR RIMS WAS BENT. WELL NO IT WASN'T BUT WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO PUT IT IN
Mileage: 152,690
1997 THROUGH 2002 CAMARO'S EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MAY EXPERIENCE FAILURES OF TURN SIGNALS. FAILURES INCLUDE FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS TO ILLUMINATE OR FAILURE TO BLINK. FAILURES MAY ALSO INCLUDE PREMATURE BULB FAILURE TO HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS (FRONT AND REAR), AND PARKING LIGHTS. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS BURNED/ SHORTED. THE TURN SIGNALS OPERATE THROUGH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE AND MODULE IS PRONE TO FAILURE/ OVERHEAT/ SHORTING CAUSING FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS. WIRING TO DTRL MODULE IN DASH BEHIND RADIO IS OFTEN OVERHEATED OR BURNED CAUSING INTERMITTENT OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FUNCTION TO TURN SIGNALS. LOSS OF TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND WIRING SHORTS FROM OVERHEAT CONDITIONS MAY LEAD TO IN DASH FIRES OR ISOLATED FIRES WITHIN EXTERIOR LAMPS.OVERHEATED IN DASH WIRING MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHER SYSTEMS OR COMPONENTS. *TR
Mileage: 39,000
WINDOWS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED WHEN THE WANT TO. NOW DRIVERS WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND PASSENGERS SIDE STILL WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE DEVASTATING AS I LIVE IN A TOWN THAT HAS A HIGH CRIME RATE AS IN CARJACKING. I ALSO HAVE MY TODDLER IN HIS CARSEAT AND THE WIND HAS CAUSED HIM TO STOP BREATHING FOR A MOMENT AND SCARED ME TO NO END. THEN I CAN NOT CARRY A CHILD WITH ASTHMA BECAUSE OF THE WIND/AIR WILL CAUSE HIM TO HAVE AN ATTACK. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO RAISE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAMARO'S AND IT'S NOT A SMALL PROBLEM. NOW I AM FORCED TO HAVE MY CAR OPEN TO THEFT AS I CAN'T ROLL MY WINDOW UP AND I CAN NOT CARRY MY PRECIOUS CARGO AS IT IS UNSAFE TO THERE HEALTH. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF IT WERE TO RAIN I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT MYSELF..THE INJURIES WERE TO THE TODDLER WHOM STOPPED BREATHING DUE TO MUCH AIR FLOW IN HIS FACE BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE WINDOW UP. *TR
Mileage: 117,345
LEFT BLINKER KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I'VE REPLACED IT 5 TIMES IN A WEEK AND A HALF. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAJORLY.
Mileage: 19,000
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
Mileage: 90,000
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
Mileage: 94,000
AIR BAGS ON 1997 CAMARO DID NOT DEPLOY ON COLLISION AND ROLL OVER.*AK
Mileage: 110,000
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM WAS DEVELOPING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. *AK
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
Mileage: 20,600
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
Mileage: 24,000
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
Mileage: 24,000
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
Mileage: 24,000
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
CENTER BEARING BROKEN INSIDE MOTOR. *AK *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIST*762837
Mileage: 59,000
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
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 WERE SUPPOSED TO AND I CAN NOT GET A RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE AND NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. I ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT IT WOULD BE PROPERLY SERVICED, AND I AM VERY UPSET AND AM PLANNING ON SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, COMPENSATION AND A VEHICLE THAT WORKS. I SEE THAT THERE WERE MANY BULLETINS SENT OUT REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES AND HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1997 CAMARO OWNERS WHO A
Mileage: 59,585
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 WERE SUPPOSED TO AND I CAN NOT GET A RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE AND NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. I ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT IT WOULD BE PROPERLY SERVICED, AND I AM VERY UPSET AND AM PLANNING ON SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, COMPENSATION AND A VEHICLE THAT WORKS. I SEE THAT THERE WERE MANY BULLETINS SENT OUT REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES AND HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1997 CAMARO OWNERS WHO A
Mileage: 59,585
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 WERE SUPPOSED TO AND I CAN NOT GET A RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE AND NOW THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. I ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT IT WOULD BE PROPERLY SERVICED, AND I AM VERY UPSET AND AM PLANNING ON SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, COMPENSATION AND A VEHICLE THAT WORKS. I SEE THAT THERE WERE MANY BULLETINS SENT OUT REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES AND HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1997 CAMARO OWNERS WHO A
Mileage: 59,585
LEAK IN REAR MAIN SEAL
Mileage: 67,400
THE CAMARO, FIREBIRD, CORVETTE, AND SOME GM MINIVANS USE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS. WHEN ONE OF THESE FAILS, THE OTHER BULB IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, WHICH CAN BE MISCONTRUED AS A FAULTY TURN SIGNAL. SUCH CONFUSION ON THE PART OF OTHER MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS CAN EASILY LEAD TO A CRASH. SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION: RECALL ALL SUCH 1997-2003 VEHICLES AND DISCONNECT DRLS OR REWIRE DRLS SUCH THAT A SINGLE BULB OUTAGE WILL EXTINGUISH BOTH LAMPS. THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS, BUT TO A LESSER EXTENT BECAUSE THEY USE DEDICATED FUNCTION WHITE LAMPS FOR DRLS INSTEAD OF THE AMBER TURN SIGNALS. DT
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.