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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-CAMARO NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2012 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro problems

109 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Camaro?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
23 reports · fails ~44,273 mi · avg $850
severe
airbags
17 reports · fails ~51,070 mi · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
15 reports · fails ~24,561 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
14 reports · fails ~56,005 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
8 reports · fails ~25,604 mi · avg $700
critical
body
7 reports · fails ~35,071 mi · avg $1,500
severe
visibility
6 reports · fails ~37,552 mi · avg $350
moderate
lighting
3 reports · fails ~44,000 mi · avg $250
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Camaro's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Camaro?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Camaro · body
Welds failed on rear seat latch bar, latch bar was not in use at the time. Broken welds resulted in rattle leading to a trip to the dealership for repair. Bar was replaced free of charge under warranty by dealership. *tr
12/31/2012 · at 2,100 mi · NHTSA ODI #10490569.0 · see body pattern →
2012 Camaro · steering Crash
While driving with traffic on 6 lane road with 45 MPH speed limit, the vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet camaro convertible, was struck from the rear by a box truck at speed causing a significant delta-v event. Upon initial impact, the steering wheel, airbag, ignition lock, turn signal…
12/19/2014 · at 20,250 mi · NHTSA ODI #10667311.0 · see steering pattern →
2012 Camaro · electrical
I am experiencing similar issues to those identified in GM bulletin 07-06-04-019F. I keep getting DTC P2138. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The throttle/accelerator system. Yes. How was your safety or the safety…
2012 Camaro · steering Injury
I have been having a lot of problems with my steering on this vehicle. I was driving my car and was in a turn when the steering wheel kicked back the opposite direction I was turning and I nearly went off the road. The force was so great that it actually injured my shoulder when…
12/15/2012 · at 14,164 mi · NHTSA ODI #10488859.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 109 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Chevrolet Camaro? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 13V023000 January 24, 2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
severe NHTSA 14V447000 July 23, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats

If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
severe NHTSA 14V300000 June 6, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 44,273 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 25,604 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Camaro has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 109 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Camaro. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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