This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Camaro powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Manual transmission owners consistently report the shifter physically resisting or locking out when trying to engage 1st or 2nd gear, requiring excessive force or refusing to shift into any gear at all. Grinding between gears is common. The problem starts at purchase for some and around 28,000 miles for others. Dealerships across multiple complaints stated the behavior was "normal operation" and offered no permanent fix.
Clutch problems accompany the shifting issues: owners smell burning clutch, and one owner's transmission failed completely at just 23,000 miles. A dealer then charged that owner $1,700, claiming he rode the clutch—despite the owner reporting the burning smell months earlier while still under warranty. The clutch pedal sometimes gets stuck halfway through its stroke, preventing gear shifts. Hill Start Assist fails to disengage brakes on inclines, forcing drivers to launch at high RPM with a burning smell result.
Automatic transmission cars report getting stuck in 2nd gear with Check Engine lights. One owner was rear-ended while the trans was inoperative.
Electrical issues show up separately: radio powers on and off repeatedly, interior lights strobe, and the AC, turn signals, and seat belt alarm fail intermittently. Some cars have backup cameras that freeze in reverse. Battery loses cranking ability after short sits. Engine stalling during hot weather has also appeared, with dealers unable to diagnose. One owner reported a chain-dragging sound during acceleration that dealerships could not pinpoint.
Same Chevrolet Camaro powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Manual transmission difficult or impossible to shift into 1st and 2nd gears
Owners report the shifter physically resists or locks out when trying to engage 1st or 2nd gear, requiring excessive force or preventing shifts entirely. Some describe grinding between 1st and 2nd.
When: From purchase (narrative #2, #6, #8) and throughout ownership; one owner noted issues starting around 28,000 miles after warranty expiration (#1)
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter will not move into 1st or 2nd gear despite full clutch depression; Requires excessive force (up to 20 lbs) to shift; Gear grinding between 1st and 2nd; Intermittent refusal to shift into any gear; Missing shifts; Problem worsens over time
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer quoted $1700 for full transmission replacement at 23,000 miles, claiming owner rode the clutch despite owner reporting burning smell months earlier (#12). Dealerships across multiple narratives stated issue was 'normal operation' after 4 inspections (#2) or offered no fix after 800+ diagnostic miles (#3). Warranty denied in at least one case.
Clutch system malfunction and premature wear
Owners report burning clutch smell, inability of the clutch pedal to fully recover or engage properly, and complete transmission failure at low mileage (23,000 miles). Hill Start Assist system engages unexpectedly on inclines and locks brakes, forcing high-RPM clutch drops.
When: Low mileage: one owner's transmission failed at 23,000 miles (#12); clutch issues present at 700 miles (#13); HSA issues from ownership start (#4)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning clutch smell; Clutch pedal does not fully recover during gear shifts, remains stationary halfway through stroke; Inability to engage 1st gear without excessive clutch depression; Hill Start Assist system fails to disengage brakes when trying to start on inclines, forcing high-RPM launch with burning smell; Complete transmission failure; Abnormal noise when depressing clutch
Repairs/costs cited: One transmission replacement quoted at $1700 at 23,000 miles (#12). No successful repairs reported in narratives; dealerships attributed smell to 'breaking in' (#12).
Automatic transmission stuck in 2nd gear
Owners report automatic transmissions becoming stuck in 2nd gear and unable to shift. Check Engine light illuminates before or during the failure. One owner was rear-ended while the transmission was inoperative.
When: Mid-ownership (#7); one incident after dealer oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light illuminates; Transmission stuck in 2nd gear and will not shift; Loss of engine power to accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: One owner waited for dealer warranty determination (#7).
Electrical gremlins tied to infotainment and battery drain
Radio continuously powers off and on, eventually causing intermittent failures in AC, turn signals, seat belt alarm, and interior lighting. Battery loses cranking amps after sitting 2 days. Backup camera freezes in reverse. Issues escalate over months.
When: Starting February 2018 (radio), worsening over 1.5 months (#1); backup camera and radio issues starting day 1 of ownership (#3)
Symptoms owners cite: Radio powers on and off repeatedly, even when vehicle is parked and locked; Interior lights flash on and off in rhythm with radio cycling; AC, turn signals, seat belt alarm fail intermittently; Backup camera freezes when in reverse; Battery unable to provide cranking amps after 2-day sit; Backup camera resets randomly
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealership ran 800+ diagnostic miles without resolution (#3).
Engine stalling and shutdown during high-temperature operation
Vehicle stalls or shuts off during extreme heat, particularly summer months. Dealer unable to identify cause after three visits. Owner suspects widespread issue similar to Nissan Versa/Sentra recalls.
When: During summer months of ownership; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected engine stall; Vehicle shuts off during operation; Occurs during extreme heat/high temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: Three dealer visits with no diagnosis (#9).
Chain-like noise and pulsation during acceleration
A dragging chain noise occurs when accelerating, accompanied by pulsation felt through the acceleration pedal. Noise continues while foot is on throttle.
When: Starting October 2013, a few months after purchase (#3)
Symptoms owners cite: Chain dragging sound when accelerating; Pulsation while accelerating; Continuous noise during throttle application
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose or repair after 800+ diagnostic miles (#3).
Unintended downshift and engine over-rev from shifter contact
Contact with shift panel (e.g., from driver's knee) causes unintended downshift, engine revving, and elevated RPM. Occurs over bumps or when leg strikes panel.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended downshift from shifter panel contact; Engine revs unexpectedly; RPM spikes
Repairs/costs cited: Visited dealer more than twice; failure could not be determined and vehicle was not repaired (#11).
Check Engine light with traction and stability control warnings
Check Engine, traction control, and 'car on wet road' warning lights illuminate. Owner reported instruction to reduce speed.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light; Traction light; Car on wet road warning light; Message to reduce speed
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2013 Chevrolet camaro. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle clutch pedal bulletin issues. *smd the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to correct a clutch problem that had not existed the previous three years. The problem involved the clutch pedal not recovering during gear shifts. Instead, the pedal remained virtually stationary halfway through what should have been a total recovery.…
Starting day 1 after purchasing the vehicle in february 2013, the vehicles back up cam began to freeze when the vehicle is in reverse until I put the car back in park and turn the vehicle off and open the door to completely shut the vehicle down. A few months later on top of the radio and back up camera issues the vehicle has started to create a chain dragging sound when accelerating, it then…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 10,000 and 38,000 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 38,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.