NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (23) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Camaro model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 125 |
| 1997 | 75 |
| 1998 | 191 |
| 1999 | 97 |
| 2000 | 87 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 81 |
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 113 |
| 2013 | 187 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 206 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 191 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 4 |
“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”
“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”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camaro Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 28 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Camaro Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 29 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Camaro Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| Camaro Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (23), electrical system (12), visibility (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).