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 ↗2019 Chevrolet Camaro powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro have filed 18 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
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Camaro | 18 |
| 2016 Camaro | 43 |
| 2017 Camaro | 50 |
| 2018 Camaro | 14 |
| 2019 Camaro (this page) | 18 |
| 2020 Camaro | 10 |
| 2021 Camaro | 7 |
| 2022 Camaro | 3 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
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
The 2019 Camaro's 8-speed transmission generates consistent complaints of violent shuddering and vibration between 35 and 80 mph, described as feeling like driving over rubber strips or jerking during acceleration. The shuddering occurs early—some owners report it starting around 30,000 miles—and persists or worsens despite multiple dealer visits. Owners also report hard shifts from first to second, transmission kickouts into neutral, and in several cases, unexpected surging or vehicle hesitation when trying to accelerate from a stop.
Dealers initially told owners these shift patterns and vibrations were normal operation, then later diagnosed torque converter failure or transmission valve body failure once the car fell out of warranty around 60,000 miles. GM has published Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-018 addressing this exact shudder between 25 and 80 mph, but has not issued a safety recall. Owners report being quoted $625 for a transmission flush as a first troubleshooting step, yet many ultimately need full transmission replacement.
The intermittent check engine light adds to diagnostic confusion—codes appear and disappear without fixing the underlying transmission problem. One critical safety concern involves unexpected acceleration and loss of control, with one owner reporting rear wheels locking up and screeching when attempting to accelerate from a stop sign. Chevrolet has refused warranty coverage citing expiration dates, despite acknowledging the known defect through TSBs.
Same Chevrolet Camaro powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shuddering and vibration
Violent shaking, vibration, or shuddering felt throughout the vehicle (steering wheel, gas pedal, seat) during acceleration or at steady state, typically between 35-80 mph. Intermittent and recurring. Owners report it feels like driving over rubber strips or the vehicle is jerking. Some instances occur on cruise control.
When: 30,000 miles and beyond; some reports under 50,000 miles; some after 100,000-mile warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: violent shaking or shuddering during acceleration; vibration felt in steering wheel, gas pedal, and seat; shuddering at steady-state speeds between 35-80 mph; jerking during gear transitions; occurs on cruise control; intermittent, can be temporarily relieved by accelerating or decelerating
Codes mentioned: P0700, P0964, P0966
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend transmission fluid flush and synthetic fluid replacement as first step ($625 reported); torque converter replacement; transmission valve body replacement; transmission wiring harness replacement (noted at 25,000 miles in one case)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has issued TSB 19-NA-018 for shake/shudder during light throttle acceleration between 25-80 mph. Multiple TSBs exist regarding 8-speed transmission defects. No safety recall issued despite complaints.
Torque converter failure
Torque converter malfunction causing transmission issues. One owner at approximately 1,000 miles had dealer-confirmed torque converter failure; another had diagnosed transmission fluid contamination and torque converter failure at 100,000 miles. Owners report this as both standalone and contributing to shuddering.
When: 1,000 miles (one case); 100,000 miles (one case); variable timing reported
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal rumbling from front of vehicle; misfire-like condition; transmission shuddering; loss of power during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement required
Hard shifts and irregular shift patterns
Transmission experiences hard downshifts, difficulty shifting into second gear, erratic shift behavior, and instances where transmission kicks out of gear into neutral. Dealerships initially dismissed these as normal operation before failure occurred.
When: Early in ownership; some reports around 60,300 miles (after warranty expiration at ~60,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: hard shift from first to second gear; difficulty shifting into second gear; transmission kicks out into neutral when shifting into second; odd shift patterns early in ownership; transmission stuck at a shift and refusing to change gears
Codes mentioned: P0700
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission valve body replacement; full transmission replacement required in some cases
Unexpected acceleration and loss of drive control
Vehicle surges or accelerates unexpectedly without driver input on the gas pedal. One owner reports random unintended acceleration after transmission shuddering. Another reports vehicle acting like it does not want to accelerate, with rear wheels locking up and screeching noise at a stop sign. Safety-critical failures affecting vehicle control.
When: Variable; one report at 100,000-mile mark; another under 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: random unintended acceleration without pedal input; vehicle surges unexpectedly; vehicle hesitates to accelerate when attempting to move from stop; rear wheels lock up during attempted acceleration; screeching noise from rear wheels; loss of acceleration capability after partial recovery
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports GM refusing remedy citing warranty expiration, despite documented prior knowledge of defects via TSBs.
Transmission slippage and failure
Transmission exhibits slippage, inability to maintain power delivery, and ultimate failure requiring full transmission replacement. One owner was able to limp vehicle home due to slippage before complete failure.
When: 60,300 miles (after warranty expiration at ~60,000 miles); one case with no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: transmission slippage; inability to maintain proper acceleration; transmission failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; transmission valve body identified as failing component
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denied hard downshifts and odd shift patterns were problems, claiming they were normal operation.
Intermittent check engine light and diagnostic difficulty
Check engine light illuminates intermittently, sometimes for days or months, then extinguishes without resolution of underlying issue. Mechanic-pulled codes show no stored codes in some cases, making diagnosis difficult. One case had multiple codes appear then disappear.
When: Variable; some reports at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light comes on intermittently; check engine light disappears for months without repair; check engine light returns without clear pattern
Codes mentioned: P0700, P0964, P0966
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Bulletin No.: 19-NA-018 Shake and/or Shudder During Light Throttle Acceleration Between 40 and 128 KM/H (25 and 80 MPH) at a Steady State. Safety Issues: slipping clutch, worn-out gears, or low transmission fluid, problems with the torque converter or other transmission components. After several visits to the dealer, the problem was diagnosed by a service bulletin in 2023. The vehicle was…
Was stoped at a stop sign. When I tried to accelerate the car acted like it didn’t want to go and the back wheels locked up causing a screeching noise. Before coming to the stop sign it felt like it was having a shuddering affect. Luckily there was no traffic and it finally shifted out but wouldn’t accelerate very well. I was able to make it home and the Check engine is now on. It was definitely…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Camaro?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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 18 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 25,000 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/2019/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.