RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Camaro Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Jul 21, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 68 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 21, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10615109
Incident
Jul 17, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 2, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10463918
Incident
Jun 25, 2012
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 14, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10319828
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10254101
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
44,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE COIL BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND TIME THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED AND ENGINE BOLTS HAD BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE BOLTS. DURING THE THIRD OCCURRENCE THE FOOT THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED AND THE DASH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. DURING ALL THE OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID
10150955
Incident
Jan 30, 2006
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Dec 19, 2005

CAMARO BOUGHT NOVEMBER 2002, BRAKES AND TIRES REPLACED SIX MONTHS LATER. ENGINE HAD SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL WITHIN THAT SAME SIX MONTHS TIME. WITHIN THREE YEARS REAR END PRODUCING AN EVER INCREASING HOWL. HAD CONTACTED DEALER TWO TIMES WITHIN FIRST YEAR ABOUT HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR A QUART TO BE LOST WITHIN 3000 MILES. I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHEN ONE OF MY REAR AXLES IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW REAR END AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BY MILEAGE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO DO MUCH GOOD BUT IT FEEL GOOD TO BE ABLE TO WRITE ABOUT WHAT A 33,000 BLACK CAMARO PIECE OF CRAP CAN DO TO A MAN WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOYAL AS POSSIBLE TO CHEVY AND HAD A DREAM TO OWN SUCH A CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF WITH A HYUNDAI. I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING AND MAYBE THIS WILL TELL YOU WHAT I REALLY THINK OF CHEVY AND THEIR CARS. I WOULDN'T WISH THIS PURCHASE ON MY WORST ENEMY. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE WAS BELIEVING IN CHEVY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145665
Incident
Dec 19, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2004

COLD AND HOT ENGINE KNOCK, ISTONS REPLACED,YLINDER WALLS IN #1 AND 8 OUT OF SPECIFICATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075434
Incident
Jun 7, 2004
Mileage
20,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jun 16, 2003

ALL FOUR ROTORS BECAME WARPED MYSTERIOUSLY JUST DAYS AFTER TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE OIL LEAK, REAR SPEAKER, AND LEFT POWER WINDOW FIXED. BAFFLED AT HOW THIS COULD OCCUR ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILES AND EASY DRIVING. HOWEVER, MECHANICS AT DEALERSHIP DROVE MY CAR FOR 30 MILES - SO WHO KNOWS WHAT OCCURRED DURING THAT TIME. HAD TO PAY BRAKE SHOP $85 TO GET 4 ROTORS RESURFACED, SINCE DEALER WOULD NOT WARRANTY. (STEREO SPEAKER STILL NOT FIXED, AND WINDOW STILL RATTLES). *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023185
Incident
Apr 28, 2002
Body & structureEngine
Filed Feb 26, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOUD ENGINE RATTLE AND WATER LEAKAGE IN RIGHT SIDE WINDOW.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10007183
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2003

THE VEHICLE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL.*JB

NHTSA ID
10007245
Incident
Feb 12, 2003
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2002

HTTP://EMER.HOMEDNS.ORG/LS1_KNOCK/INDEX.ASP. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
760052
Incident
Mar 15, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .