ChevroletCamaro2002Overview/chevrolet/camaro/2002/base/

2002 Chevrolet Camaro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Camaro.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2002 Chevrolet Camaro is a passenger car that calls for 5W-30 API engine oil and carries a 4.5-quart oil capacity. Within the 1990-2023 Camaro complaint record, this model year has drawn 81 owner complaints, led by Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues, and is subject to five recalls. Measured against the model-line high of 295 complaints in 2010 and the low of 13 in 2022, the 2002 model lands in the lower-to-middle tier of reported problem volume for the tracked span.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeBASE P235/55R16; Z28 P245/50ZR16; W/SS PKG P275/40ZR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731172 alt 12731175
Engine air filter25042562
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug12621258 alt 12681664
Front wiper blades22143969 discontinued
Serpentine belt12569527 alt 19172681
Thermostat24506985 alt 24505924

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight3556 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Camaro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.8–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.80 sec — 2012 ZL1 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Z28 Convertible 5.7L V85.20 sec13.80 sec310 hpRWD
1999Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.20 sec13.80 sec305 hpRWD
1999Z28 Convertible 5.7L V85.50 sec14.00 sec305 hpRWD
1999V-6 Coupe 3.8L V67.70 sec16.10 sec200 hpRWD
1998Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.20 sec13.70 sec305 hpRWD
1997Z28 Pace Car Coupe 5.7L V85.50 sec13.90 sec285 hpRWD
1996Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.70 sec14.10 sec285 hpRWD
1996Z28 Coupe 5.7L V85.70 sec14.20 sec285 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts74 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsStuds 11 ft-lbs, nuts: 13 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-606
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.45-1.55 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type150
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number75

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum59.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)48-54

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket23 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle74 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.02 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts (1-10):

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3Bolts 1-890 degrees
122
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1811 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Chevrolet Camaro recorded 81 complaints, 5 recalls, 0 investigations and 369 technical service bulletins, which is higher than the 2001 figures (54 complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations, 348 tsbs) but lower than the peak complaint years of the mid‑1990s (e.g., 269 complaints in 1995). Across the fourth‑generation span (1993‑2002), complaints generally rose to a maximum in 1995, then declined steadily through the late 1990s and early 2000s, while recall counts remained relatively steady between 4 and 7 per year and investigations dropped to zero after 1999. Thus, 2002 sits on the descending side of the complaint curve, reflecting improving reliability relative to the generation’s worst years but still above the low point seen in 2001. The most frequently cited complaint areas for 2002 were Service Brakes/Hydraulic (18), Visibility (7), Electrical System (6) and Exterior Lighting (4), with 7 crash‑related and 2 fire‑related complaints reported. Overall, the 2002 model offers an average reliability profile for its generation; it may be a reasonable purchase if a thorough pre‑buy inspection focuses on brakes, visibility and electrical components, but it is not a distinctly low‑risk year.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
369
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
81
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 81 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
Visibility7
Electrical System6
Exterior Lighting4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Structure3
Power Train3
Seat Belts3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 369 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D2025-02-19Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J2024-10-25Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H2024-09-12Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H2024-09-12Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camaro. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Camaro take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Camaro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.