Chevrolet Camaro Complaints (1997)

69 consumer complaints on file.

#10816172December 24, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
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 PARK, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE REAR WHEELS FROM TURNING, AND THEN WENT TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN PARK. BIG GRINDING NOISE. SO I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK AGAIN, AGAIN BIG GRINDING NOISE. SO I LOOKED AT THE REAR WHEELS WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE, AND WHAT TO MY SURPRISE, THE REAR WHEELS DO NOT STOP! THIS CAN'T BE A GOOD THING. TODAY AS I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE DRIVEWAY WAS A LITTLE ICY. SO AS I BACKED UP, I PUT ON THE BRAKES, AND OF COURSE, ONLY THE FRONT WHEELS STOPPED AND THE REAR WHEELS KEPT PULLING THE CAR DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. NOT A GOOD THING IF A CAR IS PASSING BY ON THE STREET. SO WHAT'S UP WITH THIS. YES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE CHEV DEALER THAT IT IS FROM THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE SOMETIMES, WHEN IT IS HOT, IT WILL SHIFT HARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510671May 5, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352906August 31, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10124635June 8, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103349December 8, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098101November 1, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068377May 5, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS ON 1997 CAMARO DID NOT DEPLOY ON COLLISION AND ROLL OVER.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10046540November 7, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM WAS DEVELOPING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040373November 5, 2003
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024317June 18, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022307June 4, 2003
AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10009830March 4, 2003
AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005061February 1, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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 ARE ALSO VERY UPSET AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND WE ARE SEEKING TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10002949January 19, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LEAK IN REAR MAIN SEAL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768697October 21, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8018528September 12, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
#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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8012903June 28, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8012907June 28, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#763058June 13, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IT HAS GONE THROUGH 4 SETS OF REAR DISC PADS. THE PADS HAVE UNEVEN WEAR FROM TOP TO BOTTOM WHICH MAKE THE CAR HAVE A "NOT SMOOTH" STOPPING FEEL. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT ON 6/2002 WAS THE REAR BRAKES MAKING A LOUD SQUEELING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE REAR WHEELS ARE MORE DIRTY THAN THE FRONT WHEELS. NORMALLY, THE FRONTS WOULD BE MORE DIRTY THAN THE REARS. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE REAR BRAKES ARE "HANGING UP" ON THE ROTOR (NOT RELEASING). THE DEALER INSISTS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE REAR BRAKES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10009368June 9, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CENTER BEARING BROKEN INSIDE MOTOR. *AK *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIST*762837
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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