1997 Chevrolet Camaro
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1985 | 48 |
| 1986 | 33 |
| 1987 | 28 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 25 |
| 1990 | 25 |
| 1991 | 87 |
| 1992 | 88 |
| 1993 | 32 |
| 1994 | 158 |
| 1995 | 217 |
| 1996 | 116 |
| 1997 | 69 |
| 1998 | 173 |
| 1999 | 90 |
| 2000 | 76 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 68 |
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 113 |
| 2013 | 187 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 206 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 186 |
| 2018 | 80 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
INJURY13% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151224
12% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20030613
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH, HITTING A DITCH EMBANKMENT, DESTROYING FRONT END, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS AND DRIVER SUFFERED FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970429
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIAMTELY 40MPH. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ICY ROADS, THE CAR SLID ON ICE AND SLAMMED INTO A TREE, BUT NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19961218
12% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driveshaft and axle assembly.
CRASH INJURY12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing turn signal and switch.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021101
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130505
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
Campaign 96V219000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed
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. TH
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.
Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Chevrolet Camaro — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V219000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.