1997 Chevrolet Camaro

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

Incident Sep 15, 2003

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

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

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 ARE ALSO VERY UPSET AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND WE ARE SEEKING TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT. TS

Incident Jan 8, 2001

LEAK IN REAR MAIN SEAL

Incident Dec 18, 2002

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

#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.

Incident Sep 1, 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

Incident Jun 28, 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

Incident Jun 28, 2002

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

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

CENTER BEARING BROKEN INSIDE MOTOR. *AK *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIST*762837

Incident Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER INDICATED ENGINE COOLANT WAS BREAKING DOWN AND MALFUNCTIONING DIFFERENT PARTS IN ENGINE.*AK

Incident Dec 12, 2001

GMC PAPER WORK ADMITS A DESIGN DEFECT, LOOKING FOR OTHER POWER TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *AK

Incident Sep 4, 1996

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.

Incident Feb 15, 2001

DRIVESHAFT FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE INSTALLATION OF UNBALANCED DRIVESHAFT. *YH

BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID DOWN ONTO THE WIRING, WHICH POSSIBLIY SHORTED OUT THE AIR CONDITIONING AND BLEW A HEADLIGHT. *JB

Incident Jun 14, 2000

VEHICLE HAS EXTREME VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH DUE TO DRIVESHAFT WEARING OUT. *AK

Incident Jan 1, 1997

THIS IS A GENERAL OBSERVATION OF THE 1997 AND NEWER CAMARO AND FIREBIRD. IF A BULB BURNS OUT IN THE TURN SIGNAL DRL SYSTEM, THE REMAINING BULB CAN BE MISINTERPRETED AS A TURN SIGNAL INSTEAD OF A DRL. I SUGGEST RECALLING ALL SUCH VEHICLES AND DISCONNECTING THE DRLS OR REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER TO WIRE SUCH DRLS IN SERIES. I'VE FILED A SIMILAR COMMENT IN DOCKET 4124.

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE, THE PASSENGER'S HEAD AND SHOULDER HIT THE DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD. *SLC

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

Incident Sep 11, 2000

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN TURNED OFF STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION INSTEAD OF GOING DOWN. HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR WHICH WAS BURNT OUT AND ALSO THE WIPER CIRCUIT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS YEAR, MAKE ,AND MODELS OF CHEVY'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Incident Apr 15, 2000

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

Incident Aug 31, 1999

ELECTRICAL - DRIVER SIDE PARKING LIGHT OUT & BLINKER, TAIL LIGHT DULL. BULB REPLACEMENT DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR 2.5 YEARS. DISC HARDWARE STICKING, CALIPERS BINDING, NOT RELEASING WHEN BRAKES RELEASED CAUSING AN EFFECT AS IF RIDING BRAKES CAUSING PREMATURE WEAE AND LOSS OF BRAKES. REAR ROTOR CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. *AK

Incident Jan 28, 2000

CAR STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING AS IF TO STALL. *AK

Incident May 25, 1999

DEALER HAS BEEN JERKING ME AROUND. REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ONCE. YEAR WENT BY, GOT ANOTHER OIL LEAK AND THE WATER PUMP WENT UP. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP, BUT DIDN'T FILL THE COOLANT BACK UP. THEY ALLEGED TO HAVE FIXED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AGAIN. STILL GETTING AN OIL LEAK. CHECKED THE PROBLEM MYSLEF AND FOUND OIL COMING FROM PINION SEAL. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WASN'T LEAKING WHEN I JUST HAD THE WATER PUMP FIXED. THEY CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE PINION SEAL, EVEN AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, CHEVROLET AND GMPP, THE EXTENDED WARRENTY PROVIDER. AFTER THE SEAL WAS REPLACED I NOTICE A HUM AT 35MPH+. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL, EVEN THOUGH I'VE NEVER HAD IT BEFORE. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE REAR, AND IT WAS A QUART LOW ON OIL. NOONE SEEMS TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. *AK

Incident Feb 1, 1998

IN REGARD TO THIS VEHICLE, CHEVROLET HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND NOT MUCH IS BEING DONE ABOUT THE SITUATION. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR CONSUMERS, AS THEY SHOULD BE DEDICATED TO THEIR PRODUCTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE THEM. I AM NOY GETTING MUCH SUPPORT FROM EITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR CHEVROLET PERSONALLY. ANYTHING YOU CAN ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE PROBLEMS MY VEHICLE HAS HAD, AS IT CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

Incident Mar 19, 1999

I WAS DRIVING IN A SMOOTH HIGHWAY W/ NO BUMPS OR DEBRIS ON THE ROAD WHEN THE INCCIDENT HAPPENED.

Incident Nov 7, 1999

ENGINE CUTS OUT WHEN HOOD GETS WET, WHETHER BY RAIN OR BY WASHING THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WORKED AS DESIGNED. THEY SAID, "IT IS TYPICAL FOR THIS TYPE VEHICLE TO MISS AND RUN ROUGH IF WATER GETS ONTO DISTRIBUTOR ASM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE." THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. YOU HAVE TO PARK THE CAR AND WAIT FOR IT TO DRY OUT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN.

Incident Oct 30, 1999

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. ALSO THE SEATBELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident Oct 16, 1999

WHENEVER THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ON IT WOULD FAIL TO TURN OFF. IT DOES NOT BLINK BUT REMAINS STEADY. AFTER COMPLETING A TURN, IT WOULD BLINK AFTER A FEW MINUTES, BUT STILL NOT OFF. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE RESOLVED. *AK

Incident Feb 22, 1999

THE ALTERNATOR HAS GONE BAD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. *AK

NO SUMMARY

Incident Dec 13, 1997

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH THE THROTTLE STUCK AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES, THEY BARELY CATCH AND MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE. *AK

COIL SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE SUSPENSION IS INCORRECTLY DESIGNED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HYDROPLANE ALSO THERE IS ONLY FOUR INCHES OF CLEARANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COIL SPRING, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CAR PURCHASED WITHOUT POWER SEATS; LIVE WIRES TO REAR DEFROSTER LEFT UNCAPPED OR SECURED UNDER SEATS; CONTACTED METAL OBJECT IN CAR CAUSING INTERIOR FIRE; CAR UNOCCUPIED AT TIME; DEALER/MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPAIR

Incident May 29, 1999

NEITHER DRIVER'S SID E NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS HAVE HEAD RESTRAINTS. ALSO, WITHOUT HEAD RESTRAINTS, IN ANY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THERE WOULD BE INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK