IllustrationLTR CONCERNING DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELTS IN CONSUMER'S 2002 GMC CONVERTIBLE.*MR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BELT TWICE, BUT EACH OF THOSE BELTS WAS WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY MORE ASSISTANCE. *NM
2002 Chevrolet Camaro
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camaro years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1025–50K
450–75K
375–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
37 reports with mileage · 31 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
4 reportsI HAVE A 2002 CAMARO CONVERTIBLE WHICH IS STILL UNDER NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY THAT HAS A DRIVER?S SIDE SEAT BELT THAT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN EXITING THE CAR. YESTERDAY I MET WITH GM?S FACTORY REP WHO EXAMINED THE CAR AND INSISTS THAT THE BELTS OPERATE NORMAL. EVEN THOUGH THIS BELT ?MAY? ENGAGE PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A COLL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2002 CAMARO CONVERTIBLE WHICH IS STILL UNDER NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY THAT HAS A DRIVER?S SIDE SEAT BELT THAT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN EXITING THE CAR. YESTERDAY I MET WITH GM?S FACTORY REP WHO EXAMINED THE CAR AND INSISTS THAT THE BELTS OPERATE NORMAL. EVEN THOUGH THIS BELT ?MAY? ENGAGE PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT RETRACT IS A DETERRENT TO USING IT. THE DRIVER ALWAYS HAS TO REACH AROUND TO FIND THE BUCKLE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. HOW MANY DRIVERS WITH CAMAROS ARE DETERRED FROM USING THEIR SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION? HOW MANY INJURIES AND DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE PEOPLE DON?T WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF THIS DETERRENT CONDITION? REGARDS, JOE ZOLTAK, 414 PINE DR N, SURFSIDE BEACH, SC 29575, 843-828-8490. *NM
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT WHEN EXITING CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE IT SAYING IT IS NORMAL. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. THIS CAUSED DRIVER/PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK *MR
Official recalls
101V381000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 12, 2001
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 WELDS NEAR THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.