Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Camaro

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 88 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V219000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,573
Reported to NHTSA
1996-11-04
Owners notified
1996-11-20

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine659,585 mi
Air bags: frontal5110,000 mi
Air bags3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Exterior lighting: turn signal319,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3117,345 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator290,000 mi
Exterior lighting224,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm294,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars2
Suspension2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: wiring124,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling159,585 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor159,585 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch124,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Parking brake1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes1152,690 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system120,600 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.