This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Camaro electrical problems
severe 74 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
74
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
5crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 74 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 74 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cascade of electrical failures in the 2013 Camaro that appear to stem from a common root cause, most often the infotainment head unit or an integrated control module. The radio flickers, emits loud pops and static, goes completely black, and fails to play audio. When the radio fails, the climate control (A/C and heater) cycles on and off erratically, turn signals lose their audible chime, and the instrument panel lights flicker. This cluster recurs across hundreds of vehicles at similar mileage intervals (roughly 30,000 to 100,000 miles) and progressively worsens from intermittent to constant.
Separately, the ignition switch is overly sensitive: owners report their knee bumping the key during normal driving causes the engine to shut down without warning—a hazard at highway speeds or busy intersections. GM issued a recall to modify the flip key, but dealerships ran out of replacement parts for weeks, delaying critical safety repairs.
Trunk latches jam and damage the fuse block wiring, disabling remote and door-panel release buttons. Battery connections have been found dangerously loose from the factory. Dealers consistently tell owners these problems are not covered under warranty or recall, cite part shortages, and in multiple cases cannot diagnose the root cause. Owners note finding dozens of similar complaints online, yet GM has not issued a comprehensive recall.
Same Chevrolet Camaro electrical reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment System Malfunction (Radio/Audio Head Unit)
Radio turns off and on uncontrollably, emits loud popping or static sounds from speakers, display flickers or goes completely black, buttons become unresponsive, CD player malfunctions, and audio warnings (turn signal chime, seat belt alert) fail to sound. Owners report this occurs intermittently at first, then worsens progressively. Often happens when the car is started or after sitting, though it can occur at any time while driving or parked. The failures seem tied to a broader electrical short affecting the radio head unit and integrated climate control module.
When: Failures begin intermittently; owners report onset after 6 months to several years of ownership, typically between 19,000 and 123,000 miles. Cold weather can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio display flickers, goes black, or becomes unresponsive; Loud popping or crackling sound from speakers; Radio cuts out; music stops playing; Turn signal audible chime fails to sound while signal operates; Seat belt chime inaudible; CD player ejects or fails to accept discs; Buttons on radio panel unresponsive; Audio quality decreases; volume fades; Failure occurs intermittently at first, then more frequently
Codes mentioned: 14V346000, 19E064000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite radio head unit replacement as the alleged fix; one owner reports a module controlling radio, turn signals, and A/C needed replacement twice in two years. Dealerships sometimes replace with aftermarket units since OEM radios are no longer available. Multiple repair attempts have failed to permanently resolve the issue. One owner reports dealer advised disconnecting the speaker amp as a temporary workaround, which did not work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has issued NHTSA Campaign Numbers 14V346000 and 19E064000 (Electrical System recalls) but many VINs are not included. Owners state dealers have been unable to provide an accurate permanent fix. GM stated the failure might be an electrical failure requiring a wire to be cut. Warranty has expired for most vehicles. Manufacturer referred some owners to NHTSA or did not return calls or assist.
Climate Control Malfunction (A/C and Heater)
Air conditioning and heating systems operate intermittently or erratically—turning on and off by themselves regardless of driver input, blowing cold air when heat is requested and hot air when A/C is requested, and front/rear window defrost cycling unpredictably. These failures are integrated with the infotainment system and occur alongside radio malfunctions. Owners report vision obstruction from fogged windows when defroster fails.
When: Typically occurs between 30,000 and 97,000 miles; failures are intermittent initially and escalate in frequency over time.
Symptoms owners cite: A/C and heater turn on and off without driver input; A/C blows hot air; heater blows cold air; Front and rear window defrost cycles on and off randomly; Climate control lights flicker on and off; Windshield fogs due to inoperative defroster; Blower motor activates independently; Failures coincide with radio malfunctions
Codes mentioned: 14V346000, 19E064000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners indicate the A/C and heater are electrically integrated with the radio/infotainment head unit. One owner was told the radio and A/C control module needed replacement. Another was informed a wire might need to be cut. No permanent repair was documented in the narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM identified this as a known electrical issue in at least one case but stated the VIN was not included in a recall. Dealerships have not provided effective repairs.
Turn Signal System Failure
Turn signal indicators flash but make no audible clicking sound; turn signal flash rate slows abnormally (as if battery is being drained); turn signal operation fails entirely or becomes intermittent; loud static noise is heard when the turn signal is activated. These failures occur alongside radio and climate control malfunctions, indicating a shared electrical root cause.
When: Occurs across a wide mileage range (27,000 to 199,000 miles) and develops intermittently before becoming chronic.
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal flashes without making the normal clicking alert sound; Turn signal flashes at abnormally slow rate; Loud static or popping noise when turn signal is activated; Turn signal fails to operate entirely; Turn signal operation is intermittent
Codes mentioned: 14V346000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner mentions research pointing to the radio as the root cause. Dealers have not identified or repaired this failure in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response to turn signal-only failures documented. Dealerships typically advised diagnostic appointments but did not complete repairs or provide a lasting solution.
Ignition Switch Failure (Key Stuck or Unexpected Stall)
Ignition key becomes stuck in the ignition switch and cannot be removed after the vehicle is shut off. In separate incidents, the vehicle stalls unexpectedly while driving at various speeds (10–60 MPH) when the knee unintentionally bumps the key out of the run position. The ignition key is overly sensitive to slight contact, causing unintended shutdown. Engine loses all electrical power during stall events.
When: Failures reported at 28,000 to 130,000 miles. Key-bump stalls occurred during normal driving (low-speed turns, reversing, highway speeds).
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition key stuck; unable to remove key after engine shut-off; Vehicle stalls without warning while driving at various speeds; Engine shuts off when knee contacts ignition key (overly sensitive design); Loss of engine power and electrical system power during stall; Check Engine light illuminates; 'Engine Reduce Power' and 'Ignition Switch Failure' messages display; Vehicle will not start after stall or restarts with difficulty; Vehicle runs roughly after restart; Vehicle remains running even after key is removed from ignition
Codes mentioned: 14V346000, 19E064000
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics diagnosed ignition switch replacement as the required repair. Dealerships issued NHTSA recall letters (Campaign 14V346000) and replaced flip-key transmitters with standard keys, but dealers ran out of replacement keys and parts availability was poor. One dealer was out of keys for over a month. One owner reports flip-key was removed as part of the recall, eliminating a feature that was a selling point, and dealers destroyed the original key so it could not be restored.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued NHTSA Campaign Number 14V346000 (Electrical System) for 2013 Camaro ignition switch failures. However, parts supply was inadequate; dealerships ran out of replacement keys and delayed service for weeks. Recall letter instructions were unclear about whether flip-key would be removed. Dealership service departments were overwhelmed and unprepared (one dealership was handling 80 recalls at once). One owner states GM customer assistance helped arrange an appointment, but the dealership was unable to complete the recall due to missing parts.
Instrument Panel and Warning Light Malfunction
Instrument panel lights flicker on and off; all warning indicator lights illuminate simultaneously at startup (seat belt, air bag, low oil pressure, etc.); instrument panel loses power while clutching or braking; speedometer display goes black; panel becomes dark and unresponsive. These events occur alongside radio and climate control failures, suggesting a shared electrical/power distribution issue.
When: Failures documented at 19,000 to 107,000 miles; occur both while vehicle is parked and while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel lights flicker on and off; All warning indicator lights illuminate simultaneously (seat belt, air bag, low oil); Speedometer display goes black; Instrument panel loses power when brake or clutch pedal is depressed; Panel goes dark and unresponsive intermittently; Window error lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: 14V346000, 19E064000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was told the instrument cluster was faulty and needed replacement, but the vehicle was not repaired. In another case, the cause could not be determined at the dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attempted diagnosis but were unable to determine the cause or provide repairs. One dealer suggested the key fob be updated. Manufacturer did not provide assistance in most cases.
Trunk Latch and Electrical Disconnect
Trunk jams and strikes the folding rear compartment fuse block wiring, which disconnects the fuse block wiring. This disables both the remote trunk release button and the door-mounted trunk release button, rendering the trunk inoperable via normal means. Owners must crawl through the rear seat and manually pull the emergency lever to open the trunk. Additionally, trunk open warning lights illuminate falsely when the trunk is not open.
When: Failure develops on its own; no specific mileage range given, but one owner experienced it after 4 years of ownership. Another reported recurring trunk issues for 4 years without resolution.
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk jams closed; Remote trunk button does not work; Door-mounted trunk release button does not work; Fuse block wiring becomes disconnected due to trunk impact; Trunk open warning light illuminates when trunk is closed; Emergency trunk lever must be used to access trunk (unsafe, requires crawling into cargo area)
Repairs/costs cited: The trunk design itself is faulty; it strikes and damages the fuse block wiring. Owners report this is a widespread issue online. No repairs were documented as successful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer was notified but advised the vehicle would require a tow for diagnostic testing with no guarantee of a permanent fix. Manufacturer was not notified in most cases. No recall or TSB mentioned.
Battery Connection Failure
Negative battery terminal connection in the trunk under the spare tire becomes extremely loose and can be removed by hand without tools. This causes the vehicle to appear totally dead despite a fully charged battery and causes erratic electrical behavior (wipers, lights, radio on and off without driver input).
When: Discovered at unknown mileage; spare tire had not been removed since vehicle purchase in June 2013, suggesting the connection came loose from the factory or the securing screw failed over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle is completely dead despite battery showing full charge; Wipers, lights, and radio turn on and off without driver input; Loose negative battery terminal connection (can be removed by hand)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner tightened the loose 10mm screw securing the negative terminal connection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Seat Belt and Air Bag Warning System Malfunction
Seat belt chime fails to sound; air bag warning light flashes or changes from on to off intermittently; software failure causes seat belt and air bag warning lights to flash. These failures occur independently and alongside infotainment malfunctions.
When: Failures documented across various mileage ranges (39,800 to 53,000 miles observed).
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt chime does not sound when seat belt is unfastened; Air bag warning light flashes on and off or changes from on to off; Air bag warning light illuminates during startup or while driving; Software failure in warning system
Codes mentioned: 14V346000
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer stated the entire warning panel needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. Another owner was advised to contact customer assistance; no repair outcome provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer indicated the entire panel needed replacement but provided no follow-up. Manufacturer was not contacted in other cases, or referral was made to NHTSA.
Headlamp and Electrical System Dropout
Headlamps become inoperable while driving, then resume normal operation on their own without driver input. These dropouts are accompanied by popping sounds from the radio speaker, suggesting a broader electrical surge or power distribution issue.
When: Failure documented at approximately 35,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlamps suddenly become inoperable while driving at 55 MPH; Abnormal popping sound from radio during headlamp failure; Headlamps resume operation independently after several minutes; Popping sound also occurs when turn signals are activated
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed, but no repair action was taken.
Unintended Acceleration and Loss of Braking Control
Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably out of reverse while brakes are depressed, causing a collision with a concrete post. After shifting to drive, the vehicle accelerates at high speed with brakes applied, veers uncontrollably through a parking lot, jumps a curb, and crashes through a brick wall. Engine races at high RPM. Air bags do not deploy despite severe collision. This is an extremely rare and severe failure but was reported in the complaint set.
When: Failure occurred while pulling out of a parking spot; vehicle had 89,000 miles, was garage-kept, and had impeccable maintenance.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs and jerks while in reverse; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably in reverse despite brake application; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably in drive despite brake application; Engine races at high RPM; Vehicle cannot be steered (lost steering control); Vehicle enters 'autopilot' mode per owner description; Air bags fail to deploy despite severe collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was totaled; no repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Synthesized from 74 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
My car no have heater
For the last 6 months when the car is on and driving the radio and ac unit started blinking on and off continuously making loud popping sounds until the radio screen went completely blank. This causes the turn signals to not make any noises when on. The turn signals flash but have no sound, seat belt chime does not work, passenger air bag light comes on and off randomly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet camaro. While driving, a popping noise was heard coming from the speakers, which caused the electrical system to fail. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…
Tire light on in night. *tr
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio turned off independently. The contact replaced the fuse, and the radio became operable. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and in addition the turn signals were not fully functional. The contact became aware that whenever the turn signal was activated, the turn signal did…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet camaro. The contact stated that the windshield was foggy inside the vehicle. When the contact activated the defroster to clear the windshield, the defroster indication light darkened and the turn signal chime became mute. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 46,000.
I have contacted the dealer at 1575 86th street in brooklyn, ny in regards to the letter I received for the recall of Chevrolet camaro vehicles, 2013 model years. The recall is for the ignition key that can cause serious injury or fatality. I have contacted them numerous times and we are yet to even hear back from them. This is a huge liability to anyone driving this car. The gm safety recall…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Camaro?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro?
It's a meaningful issue. 74 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 47,000 and 88,800 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 88,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Camaro.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.