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1997 Chevrolet CamaroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 69 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year2% below the Camaro median · #16 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6924 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 24, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro has problems

69 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling131
Air bags86
Service brakes, hydraulic82
Exterior lighting71
Power train71
Electrical system63
Steering52
Visibility41
Fuel system, gasoline41
8 other systems162

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Chevrolet Camaro recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: retractor

Recall 96V-219 · Nov 4, 1996 · 1,573 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Camaro year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camaro median. How we score

'67'68'69'71'73'74'75'76'77'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Chevrolet Camaro safety ratings

1997 Chevrolet Camaro 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Chevrolet Camaro side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILUREEA97024 · closed Sep 29, 1998
    No recall
  2. FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILUREPE97036 · closed Nov 13, 1997
    No recall
In owners' words

What Camaro owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10005061 · Feb 1, 2003 · 59,585 miles
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER INDICATED ENGINE COOLANT WAS BREAKING DOWN AND MALFUNCTIONING DIFFERENT PARTS IN ENGINE.*AK
Complaint 8003454 · Feb 4, 2002
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.
Complaint 746942 · Jun 17, 2001

Own a 1997 Camaro?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.