What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

Electrical system complaints lead the list, followed by engine and air bag complaints. See the problems section for how owners describe each group.

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year. The recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

Owner reports point to electrical, engine and air bag trouble. These are unverified reports, so use them as a checklist when you inspect a car.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Camaro?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints has the 2012 Camaro had?

NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro^[1]. The electrical system and the engine top the list of component groups^[2]^[3].

113owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[4]

14–22MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owner complaints on file fall into a few component groups, listed here from biggest to smallest.

Electrical System. 27 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a reverse camera that stays on after the car is put in drive, keys that stick in the ignition, and engines that cut off when the key is nudged. Some stories tell of a car catching fire while parked.
Engine. 26 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe stalling at low and highway speeds, hesitation under acceleration, and a loss of power with the engine light on. Several say the dealer reset the computer and the trouble came back.
Air Bags. 22 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a passenger air bag warning light that stays on, a warning light that appears at start-up with no cause found, and side curtains that went off with no crash. Others describe an air bag that did not go off in a collision.
Power Train. 15 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a shudder or shimmy during gentle acceleration, often tied to a certain engine speed range. Some were told by service staff that it was normal.
Structure. 11 complaints name this group^[9].
Steering. 8 complaints name this group^[10].
Brakes. 7 complaints name this group^[11].
Visibility/Wiper. 7 complaints name this group^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Camaro is necessarily included.

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Electrical System › Ignition (14V346), June 2014. About 464,712 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, steering problems, reduced braking.^[14]
Air Bags (14V300), June 2014. About 31,520 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags (13V023), January 2013. About 4,167 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[5]	18 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	16 / 24 / 19	$3,550
Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	15 / 24 / 18	$3,700
Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	19 / 29 / 22	$3,050
Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	17 / 27 / 20	$3,350
Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[21]	14 / 19 / 16	$5,150
Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[22]	12 / 18 / 14	$4,800

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
C RWD^[23]	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	8.7%
2 DR RWD^[6]	5	5	5	5	8.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Chevrolet Camaro with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[24]	304 hp
2012 Chevrolet Camaro with 6.2L 8-cylinder^[25]	400 to 550 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
CAMARO 2DR COUPE RWD LS/LT^[26]	191 in	76 in	54 in	112 in	3,748 lb
CAMARO 2DR COUPE RWD SS^[27]	191 in	76 in	54 in	112 in	3,869 lb
CAMARO CONVERTIBLE RWD LS/LT^[28]	191 in	76 in	54 in	112 in	3,750 lb
CAMARO CONVERTIBLE RWD SS^[29]	191 in	76 in	54 in	112 in	3,860 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Camaro model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	216	1
1996	116	0
1997	69	1
1998	173	0
1999	90	1
2000	76	0
2001	48	0
2002	68	1
2010	295	2
2011	194	2
2012	113	4
2013	187	3
2014	188	3
2015	206	1
2016	141	1
2017	189	3
2018	81	2
2019	53	1
2020	32	3
2021	20	4
2022	14	1
2023	15	0
2024	4	0

NHTSA's counts for the Camaro show 113 complaints and 4 recalls for 2012^[4]. Among the 23 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 10 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2024 (4) and the most are for 2010 (295)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Camaro?

The 2012 Camaro has a clear set of owner complaints on file, led by the electrical system and the engine^[2]^[3]. Air bag reports are also a notable group^[7], and some stories involve crashes, fires or injuries^[1]. The recalls section lists the 4 recalls on file for this model year, and some may still be waiting on a remedy^[4]. If you are shopping for one, check the service history and ask about any open recall work.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?: Electrical system complaints lead the list, followed by engine and air bag complaints^[2]^[3]^[7]. See the problems section for how owners describe each group.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year^[4]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints has the 2012 Camaro had?: NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?: Owner reports point to electrical, engine and air bag trouble^[2]^[3]^[7]. These are unverified reports, so use them as a checklist when you inspect a car.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Camaro?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Camaro

2010 295 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 194 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 this page
2014 188 complaints, 3 recalls
2024 4 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Camaro

Other Chevrolet models from 2012

2012 Chevrolet Colorado 42 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Cruze 865 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Equinox 685 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Malibu 907 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Traverse 354 complaints, 5 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2012: compact cars

2012 Chrysler 200 638 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Ford Focus 3,803 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 Honda Accord 381 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Honda Civic 474 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Honda Insight 59 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Hyundai Accent 153 complaints, 2 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 7 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,250). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,150). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Camaro model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,100). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,500). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,208). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V346, filed June 20, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V300, filed June 6, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V023, filed January 24, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Camaro, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 27 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Camaro, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chevrolet Camaro with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 304 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chevrolet Camaro with 6.2L 8-cylinder: rated 400 to 550 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAMARO 2DR COUPE RWD LS/LT: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,748 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAMARO 2DR COUPE RWD SS: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,869 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAMARO CONVERTIBLE RWD LS/LT: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,750 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CAMARO CONVERTIBLE RWD SS: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,860 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro: problems, recalls and fuel economy