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KLUNK

2002 Chevrolet Camaro

The Verdict

78 Solid Pick

The 2002 Chevrolet Camaro has 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (22 complaints) and body (20 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 78/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Camaro, consider the 2022 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2022 has 83% fewer complaints

View the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro dashboard →

78

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

01V381000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," AND NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE ...

Risk

IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL STRUCTURAL RIVETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FR...

Reported Dec 12, 2001

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20002816191816
200115157114
2002202215168
201049101098938
2011547823813
2012256392911
2013629861713
20144471022410
20155081013115
2016459232437
2017799272642
2018282161913
20191834818
202092668
202110366
202240243
202310491

By Category

Brakes
22
Body
20
Engine
16
Electrical
15
Transmission
8

By Severity

1
37
2
35
4
9

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DESIGN DEFECT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SAIL ROOF PANEL BUBBLING THROUGH THE BLACK PAINT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED, BY THE DEALER, THAT THE ADHESIVE WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE SAIL ROOF IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THE PART WOULD BE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT AT A JUNK YARD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE. *JS

71mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ..UPDATED 12/20/16 *BF *TR

119mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

121mo ago
Electrical 1

TYPICALLY IN THE AFTERNOON ON WARM / HOT DAYS AND AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT ALL DAY OUTSIDE, I'LL GO TO START IT, PUT THE KEY INTO START POSITION AND THE STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE. ALL ELSE SEEMS TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE FUEL AND TEMP GAUGES GO BACK TO 0 POSITION, VOLTAGE DROPS BUT NOT BY MUCH. I HAVE HAD TO SWITCH TO THE START POSITION AS MUCH AS 75 TIMES BEFORE THE STARTER ENGAGES. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE IT IS TURNS OVER STRONGLY. THIS ISN'T A BATTERY PROBLEM. I CAN'T FIND A PATTERN TO TIE TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS EXCEPT IT IS MOSTLY IN THE AFTERNOON ON WARM / HOT DAYS AND AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT ALL DAY OUTSIDE. *TR

144mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERS WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 09/22/2014*LJ UPDATED 2/23/2015 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF TWICE ON THE FREEWAY. UPDATED 2/23/2015 *JS

146mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNING SIGNAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE RIGHT SIGNAL COMPARTMENT AREA RETAINED WATER AND CAUSED THE BULB TO FAIL. THE BULB COMPARTMENT WAS CUT FOR THE WATER TO LEAK AND THE BULB WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE RIGHT DIRECTIONAL BULB CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,463 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

168mo ago
Engine 2

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY ALL THE RED WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR AS I LOSE POWER-STEERING, ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING, AND MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE RISES TO 300 DEGREES F. I PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THE PRESSED-ON POWER STEERING PULLEY HAD COME COMPLETELY OFF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FLY OFF. I RARELY DRIVE THIS CARE AND IT HAS ONLY 15,000 MILES. SO MUCH GENERAL MOTORS QUALITY. *JS

170mo ago
Electrical 1

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY CAMARO THAT IS EXPERIENCING A SECURITY LIGHT ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN READING UP ON IT ONLINE....THIS IS SUCH A HAZARD AND A DANGER TO OTHER DRIVERS I CANT BELEIVE IT ISNT UNDER INVESTIGATION, GIVEN THAT THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ARE OUTRAGEOUS! THE OTHER THING IS THE MONOPLY THAT GM HAS ON THIS PROBLEM, THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FIX IT, NOT YOUR FAVORITE HOME TOWN MECHANIC, BUT GM ONLY. THE TESTING EQUIPMENT USED TO DIAGNOSE THIS IS ONLY SOLD TO THEM! AND LET ME TELL U SOMETHING, THEY CHARGE OUT THE YINGER FOR THIS, COST OF CYLINDER 30.00 THEY CHARGE YOU 600.00...BCM MODULE...COST 130 AND THEY CHARGE YOU 800. THIS IS A ENDANGERMENT IN THE FACT THAT YOUR CAR..UMMM SAY GOING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY OF SAY 65...AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DECIDES SOMONE IS STEALING IT....AND CUTS OFF THE GAS SUPPLY....WELL U CAN BET THERE IS GOING TO BE A PILE UP OF CRASHED CARS AND DEAD PEOPLE. THIS IS RIDICILIOUS AND THIS IS AMERICA AND THEY SHOULDNT HAVE A MONOPLY ON THIS...ALOT OF PEOPLE CANT AFFORD THIS DEFECT IN GM CARS SO THEY HAVE TO RISK MINE AND THEIR LIVES.....YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS AND HAVE GM RECALL THIS OR JUST GIVE CUSTOMERS THE OPTION OF THEM INSTALLING SOME KIND OF BYPASS OF THEY SYSTEM. ITS NOT ONLY OLDER CARS BUT NEW CARS TOO!!! *TR

186mo ago
Electrical 2

I HAVE A 02'CHEVY IMPALA WHEN I TURN IT ON ALL ELECTRIC COMES ON AND THE ENGINE RUNS FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND DIES THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM COMES ON I GOT THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR REPLACED STILL THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW MILES AFTER READING THE MANUAL AND PUSHING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR WHILE HOLDING THE KEYS ON FOR THREE SECONDS BUT EVENTUALLY IT DIED AGAIN. PLEASE HELP!!!!! *TR

193mo ago
Electrical 2

THIS IS A GENERAL POINT OF INFORMATION MESSAGE: FOR THE LAST DECADE OR MORE, GM VEHICLES HAVE A PROPENSITY TO BURN OUT THEIR LAMPS DUE TO AN OVERCHARGE CONDITION (CAUSE UNKNOWN TO ME); THIS CONDITION CAN AFFECT ANY OF THE LAMPS OR BULBS, MOST NOTICABLY HEADLAMPS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND RUNNING (PARKING) LAMPS. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN ALL GM VEHICLES.*TR

196mo ago
Engine 1

2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WIRING HARNESS PLACEMENT. *TGW ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER MAY HAVE PASSED COMPRESSED LIQUID, MOST LIKELY FUEL THAT CAUSED THE PISTON AND ROD TO BE DAMAGED. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER WALL WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER STATED THE CAUSE FOR THE FUEL INJECTORS REMAINING IN THE OPEN POSITION WAS THE WIRING CONTROLLING THE FUEL INJECTORS WAS CHAFED AND MAKING CONTACT WITH THE BULKHEAD WHICH GROUNDED THE WIRING. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE DAY HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST, HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DISTANCE OF THE WIRING FROM THE BULKHEAD IS LESS THAN 1/4 OF AN INCH, THE PCM CAN BE MADE TO MOVE JUST UNDER 1/2 INCH WHICH WOULD BE ENOUGH DISTANCE FOR THE WIRES TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BULKHEAD. IT WOULD INDICATE THAT OVER TIME, VIBRATION FROM DRIVING CONDITIONS WOULD CAUSE THE PCM TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHICH STRONGLY SUGGEST A FLAW IN THE POSITIONING OF THE PCM. THERE WAS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT AN OUTSIDE SOURCE CAUSED THE WIRING TO CHAFE, SUCH AS RODENTS NESTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JB

197mo ago
Brakes 2

MY 2002 GM CHEVROLET CAMARO'S ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS THAT LED UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE COMPONENT. AS TO DATE 03/02/2010 MY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE,I HAVE NO ABS. ONLY A WARNING LIGHT TELLING ME I HAVE NO ABS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROX. 11/2 YEARS AGO,AND SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY GM WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM.AGAIN I BELIEVE THAT GM KNOWS OF THIS FAILURE IN THEIR SYSTEMS(ABS..ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM)THE COST TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS ABS COMPONENTS IS APPRX.$2,500.00. MY INQUIRES WITH OTHER GM OWNERS OF OTHER MODELS IE;CORVETTE STATE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE CAMAROS. FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENTS IS VERY CRITICAL FOR SAFETY IN PREVENTING WHEELS FROM LOCKING UP AND CAUSING A SKID LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT.(THE MAIN REASON CONSUMERS WANT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES!) *TR

199mo ago
Body 1

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH A GM PRODUCT..A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE (APPRX) LESS THAN A FEW MONTHS OF TAKING POSSESSION OF MY "NEW" VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR(POWER ASSISTED ) WAS HAVING PROBLEMS...THE REGULATOR WOULD STICK IN ANY POSITION UP/DOWN AND WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY . THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPAIRED..THE REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN WENT OUT THE SAME WAY NOT LONG AFTER...AGAIN IT WAS REPAIRED.THIS PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2002 TO THE PRESENT DATE AS OF 03/02/2010.I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CAMARO OWNERS AND THE RESPONSE IS EXACTLY THE SAME...WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR VEHICLE (CAMAROS) DO "THAT" . FIRST OF ALL THE CARS ARE NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON US ! THESE REPAIRS CAN EXCEED $500.00 DOLLARS. THERE IS NO DOUBT GM KNOWS OF THIS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER CAMARO OWNERS AND ALL SAY THAT AN AFTERMARKET WINDOW REGULATOR SOLVED THEIR PROBLEM,ITS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATORS PERMIATED THERE STOCK AND GM REPLACED THEM WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITHOUT INCIDENT IE; ACCIDENTS,MISUSE ETC. FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, IF A DRIVER BECOMES TRAPPED INSIDE HIS/HER VEHICLE AND CANNOT EXIT THROUGH THE DOOR NORMALLY AND HAS TO DEPEND ON THE WINDOW AS AN EXIT THEY WILL BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THAT VEHICLE AND COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. NOT BEING ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN WHEN NEEDED CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS (IE. FLOODS,FIRE,,SUBMERGED VEHICLE OR ASSAILANT.) *TR

199mo ago
Engine 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL BOX IN THE ENGINE, LOCATED NEAR THE FIREWALL, CAUSED THE FUEL INJECTORS TO POUR FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED HIM A 10% DISCOUNT AND THE CONTACT PAID $6,200 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS A PHOTO OF WHERE THE BOX WAS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE, WHICH HE FELT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE FIREWALL AND THE INITIAL CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER MAY HAVE COMPRESSED LIQUID, MOST LIKELY FUEL THAT CAUSED THE PISTON AND ROD TO BE DAMAGED. IT CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE CYLINDER WALL WHICH REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE IN THE OPEN POSITION BECAUSE THE WIRING CONTROLLING THE FUEL INJECTORS WAS CHAFED AND MAKING CONTACT WITH THE BULKHEAD WHICH GROUNDED THE WIRING. UPDATED 01/27/09. *JB

213mo ago
Body 1

FAULTY VALVE STEMS (LIKELY FROM THE CHINA RECALL) ON 2 GOODYEAR TIRES SO FAR ON MY CAR THAT CRACKED PREMATURELY. *TR

219mo ago
Transmission 2

I PURCHASED MY 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS IN DECEMBER, 2004. GREAT LOOKING VEHICLE WITH NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT AND SEVERE HAS COME OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP, THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY; VERY ROUGH AND THE RPM'S GO TO 4000 OR ABOVE BEFORE SHIFTING OR IF I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I AM TERRIFIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO COME OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE; I AM TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN RESEARCHING OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR, AND TO MY HORROR, I AM EXPERIENCING MUCH OF THE SAME AS OTHER CONSUMERS. HOW CAN SO MANY COMPLAINTS BE ISSUED ABOUT THE SAME VEHICLE AND GENERAL MOTORS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEMS?? *TR

226mo ago
Body 2

I HAVE NOTICED BUBBLING IN THE PAINT AROUND THE EDGES OF THE ROOF AND SAIL PANEL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE GLUE USED BY GM WHICH CAUSES THE PAINT TO DELAMINATE AND CORRODE. I TRIED TO CONTACT TWO DEALERSHIPS AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WAS DENIED EACH TIME. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 6YR/100,000 MILE PAINT WARRANTY. *TR

227mo ago
Electrical 1

FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW SOCKETS COSTING AROUND $400.00, RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. SINCE THEN THE LEFT SIDE HAS GONE OUT 3 MORE TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR COSTING $45.00 EACH TIME. IT IS IMPOSSBLE TO REACH THE BULB TO REPLACE IT YOURSELF. DEALER INSISTS THAT THE PARKING LENS WAS CRACKED CAUSING MOISTURE TO ENTER THE SOCKET. WHEN INSEPCTING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO CRACK.. NOW THEY SAY ITS THE SEAL AROUND THE PARKING LENS. I JUST REPLACED ANOTHER BURNT OUT BULB 6 WEEKS AGO AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT ALSO HAS NOT RAINED TO CAUSE ANY MOISTURE IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS.

228mo ago
Brakes 2

THE 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.. IT WAS COMPLETELY USELESS. IT DIDN'T WORK. WHY I DON'T KNOW, BUT THE INSPECTION PLACE STATED THAT THEY HAD FAILED NUMEROUS TAHOES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I FELT THAT IT WAS UNSAFE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD RECALL THE FEW THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE AN INNOCENT PARTY CONCERNING SEVERAL DEATHS OR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REPORTING IT BEFORE IT IS RECALLED. I DIDN''T EVEN USE THE BRAKE HOW COULD IT NOT WORK ANYMORE.

232mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BURNED OUT AND MELTED THE WIRES. BOTH OF THE BLINKERS BURNED OUT ONE YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH SOCKETS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK

233mo ago

81 total

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