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 ↗2018 Chevrolet Camaro powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Camaro | 15 |
| 2015 Camaro | 18 |
| 2016 Camaro | 43 |
| 2017 Camaro | 50 |
| 2018 Camaro (this page) | 14 |
| 2019 Camaro | 18 |
| 2020 Camaro | 10 |
| 2021 Camaro | 7 |
| 2022 Camaro | 3 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communicates additional information to the customer on the "No Lift Shift" feature found on all Manual Transmission equipped Camaros.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2018 Camaro describe two distinct powertrains in crisis. Automatic transmission owners report shuddering during acceleration and highway driving—a symptom GM acknowledged in Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-355, which traced the cause to water-contaminated transmission fluid. GM replaced the fluid on unsold inventory but refuses to cover repairs on vehicles already sold, leaving owners to pay $600+ at dealers for the fix.
Manual transmission owners report worse: grinding when shifting, shifters that flutter, and transmissions dropping into neutral while driving—all pointing to synchronizer failure. Downshifting to second gear is particularly difficult. When owners bring these problems to dealers, they're told it's normal operation.
Separately, owners report engine stalling and loss of power during acceleration, especially when starting from stops or climbing hills. One owner was rear-ended when his engine cut out at a traffic light. Dealers blamed spark plugs initially, then replaced the computer module without solving the issue. Additional complaints include unintended acceleration, involuntary braking, violent transmission shifts at stops, and grinding from the rear differential that persists after fluid service.
Check engine lights remain illuminated with codes like P0700 (Transmission Control System) and P0420 (catalyst system) pointing to deeper powertrain dysfunction rather than simple spark plug issues.
Same Chevrolet Camaro powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic transmission fluid contamination and shuddering
Eight-speed automatic transmission develops shudder during acceleration and highway driving due to contaminated transmission fluid containing water. GM issued Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-355 acknowledging the issue, which requires fluid flush and replacement at owner expense despite GM's responsibility. Owners report shuddering makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, particularly when merging or turning.
When: 26,530 miles reported in one case; varies across owners
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering or vibration during acceleration and highway driving; Rumbling when shifting through gears during acceleration; Loss of power during shudder events; Vehicle feels like driving over rumble strips on smooth pavement
Codes mentioned: P0700
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flush and replacement required; owners report GM charging over $600 for repair on sold vehicles despite acknowledging the defect via TSB 18-NA-355
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-355 acknowledges fluid contamination issue; GM replaced fluid on unsold vehicles but refuses to cover repairs on sold vehicles
Manual transmission synchronizer and shifting mechanism failure
Six-speed manual transmission (TR6060 by TREMEC) exhibits grinding, difficulty shifting, and shifter flutter particularly when downshifting to second gear. Synchronizers fail to properly engage, causing transmission to drop back to neutral while driving or grind heavily. Dealers dismiss the issue as normal operation.
When: Reported at various mileages; one complainant notes grinding present early
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when shifting between gears; Transmission drops back into neutral while in motion; Hard downshifting, especially to second gear; Shifter flutter and friction noise; Difficulty upshifting and downshifting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers refuse to service; called normal operation despite safety hazard during traffic merging
Unintended acceleration and brake engagement
Vehicle experiences sudden unintended acceleration followed by involuntary brake application. Complainant reports acceleration and brake pedal engaging without driver intervention, creating serious collision risk. Check engine light illuminated.
When: During normal driving; reported to dealer March 31, 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration without pedal input; Involuntary brake engagement; Check engine light illuminated; Delay in vehicle stopping response
Codes mentioned: P0700
Engine stalling and loss of power during acceleration
Engine shudders as if it wants to shut off and experiences loss of power during acceleration, particularly when starting from a stop or driving uphill. One owner was rear-ended after engine stalled when starting from a traffic light. Shutting engine off and restarting temporarily clears the issue, but check engine light returns.
When: Early in engine startup and low-speed acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuddering and stalling sensation; Complete loss of power during acceleration; Engine cutout when starting in first gear; Hesitation and lag when accelerating; Check engine light remains on after restart
Codes mentioned: P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attributed to spark plug issues on multiple occasions despite plug replacements failing to resolve; computer module replacement made in 2019 without resolution
Rear differential grinding and noise
Grinding noise emanates from the rear end when cold or after vehicle has sat for hours, especially while turning. Owners report grinding sound started early in vehicle life. Differential fluid change did not eliminate noise. Owners fear differential will lock up while driving.
When: Began around 4,000 miles; occurs when vehicle is cold
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from rear end; Noise present when turning; Noise occurs after vehicle sits for several hours; Noise disappears after vehicle warms up
Repairs/costs cited: Differential fluid changed without resolution
Violent transmission shifting to first gear at stops
When coming to a complete stop, eight-speed automatic transmission shifts violently into first gear, potentially causing vehicle to lurch forward and strike vehicle ahead.
When: During stopping events
Symptoms owners cite: Violent downshift to first gear at stops; Potential forward lurching of vehicle; Poor transmission control during deceleration
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Since I’ve purchased this vehicle I have been having issues with the transmission and engine providing the accurate amount of power as it relates to the acceleration. The persistent issue is the gear shifting lags and rumbles my vehicle each time I accelerate up a hill, accelerating from g20-30mph and it rumbles the gear. I was told the diagnosis was with the spark plugs having an issue on…
On or about november 26, 2020, at 1:30 am while driving on I-30 westbound in texarkana, tx traveling at the posted speed of 75 MPH in a 2018 camaro zl1. The transmission blew out while in cruise control and all systems that transmit power from the engine or propulsion device to the wheels were lost and the vehicle had to coast onto the emergency shoulder until it came to a complete stop away…
Grinding sound coming from the rear end,it does it while turning when the car is cold or sat for a few hours, I'm worried that it's going to lock up some day while traveling. I bought it new and the noise started at about 4000 miles, they changed the fluid and the noise never went away, I try to explain it when I take it in, but they're driving it after it's warmed up , so no noises every time,…
Upon downshifting to 2nd gear from 3rd gear is very hard , grinds and pops back in neutral, and fluttering noticed on the shifter with rubbing or friction noise.
The car has a defective transmission housing and the car is hard to downshift or upshift into 2nd gear. The dealers are calling it normal. I have manual 6speed transmission. When I downshift, the shifting liver will either pop right back up into nuteral or grinds.
Engine began to shudder as if the engine wants to turn off. It can also feel as if there is some issues with the drive axles. It leads to loss of power of the engine. The loss of power goes away upon shutting the engine off and turning it back on however the check engine light remains on and the error code p0420 displays on the reader.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Camaro?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 20,556 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2018/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.