1997 Chevrolet Camaro: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2005
“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 report · Electrical System · Nov 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 report · Steering · Oct 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 report · Steering · Sep 2003
“#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 report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2002
“During repairs technician informed consumer of a melted furl pump wire within tfuel tank which could cause a possible fire. Dealer and manufactuere were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 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 report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2002
“Vehicle was leaking coolant. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer indicated engine coolant was breaking down and malfunctioning different parts in engine.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2001
“Excessive rust in the cooling system possibly due to dexcool coolant. Causing overheating, false instrument readings, and gumming up the thermostat causing it to stick.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2001
“1997 camaro-the rear wheel axle spindle broke causing the rear wheel to break off while traveling at 45mph. Vehicle caused driver to loose control hit head on in a ditch embankment, then rolling over and sliding about 15 ft. Thus causing whiplash to the driver and complete total of vehicle”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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 ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
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.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camaro by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Camaro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,493 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.