Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Camaro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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!)
Intermittently the brake pedal shuttered/shimmied and pulsated when depressed. This was due to a failure in the brake rotors. The failure has occurred at 7000, 12419 ,18830,26754, and 27310 miles, the rotors were resurfaced/replaced/turned. And brake shims had been added. In addition the brake pad and shoes were replaced 4 times. The consumer was advised to purchase a higher quality off the market rotor at $500.00 per rotor.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds and applying the brakes the front end vibrates. When the problem first occurred at 12,000 miles the dealership resurfaced the brake rotors. The problem reoccurred at 19,000 miles and again the dealer resurfaced the rotors. While the vehicle was at the dealership for the brake pads, it was determined the brake rotors need to be replaced. The brake rotors were not replaced.
The front right rotor warped. When driving at approximately 40 MPH and the brakes were applied there was shutter/vibrated, and vehicle pulled to the right. Owner took vehicle to the dealer on two occasions, and dealer replaced the rotors. Also, informed owner the front right rotor is warped. After about 10,000 miles vibration returned. Vibration was felt when vehicle was driven at 40 MPH or greater.
Since around 5000 I started to feel a ribration in the steering wheel while braking. It has slowly got worst till now at 10,000 miles. I am told it is the rotors and they a warped. Shoes have plenty of good pad left and no grooves are worn it the rotor face. The starting date is estimated date that the problem started.
When applying pressure to the brake pedal, the vehicle shook violently. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and the mechanic determined that the front rotors were warped and must be replaced. Ceramic brakes were placed on the vehicle which caused the rotors to warp.
I purchased my vehicle on May 11 2002 and I have already had to replace my differ. And rotors, I have other problems but there not effecting the overall operations. If GM ever want me to buy a car from them again, they better get there ?!@#$% together, how many complaints does it take?
Brake rotors were warped and had to be turned twice within the first 15,000 miles of ownership under normal driving conditions. Dealer would not replace under warranty however, they machined the rotors as a "courtesy" and advised me not to stop so hard in the future - ridiculous!
2002 Camaro, car started to shake when brakes were applied at abt 8,000 miles. Took into dealer to be checked out. Was told rotors needed to be turned. For this to happen with such low miles must be defective. Should have been given new rotors. Has there been a recall?
Brake complaints in other Camaro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro, 32% of the model year's 68 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Camaro brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Camaro brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 71% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.