VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Camaro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 259 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.5 times the median Camaro year — the 2011 model ranks #5 of 49 Camaro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 69 reports (27% of the total).

259

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Camaro years?

See all Camaro years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6927%
Electrical System3514%
Engine3212%
Other177%
Transmission177%
Seats156%
Steering145%
Tires & Wheels145%
Body & Structure114%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Brakes83%
Fuel System52%
Seat Belts52%
Speed Control42%
Lighting31%
Suspension21%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19E064000Electrical SystemSeptember 19, 2019 · 10,740 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies sold as replacement equipment for 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. GM dealers may have inadvertently sold these assemblies as replacement keys despite them having been recalled under NHTSA recall number 14V-346 (GM number 14294) when they were the original equipment assemblies. The driver may accidentally bump the ignition key with their knee, moving the ignition out of the run position and turning off the engine.

Consequence

Once the engine is off, the vehicle can lose power steering and power braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The air bags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the key with the flat blade design, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 6, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192223230.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

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. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V346000Electrical SystemJune 20, 2014 · 464,712 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2010-2014 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 3, 2008 to May 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and provide two new keys and two key rings per key. The recall began August 25, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14294. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 5, 2015 · crash

I OWN A 2011 CAMARO SS, I HAD 2 INCIDENTS , BOTH TIMES AT A LUNCH BREAK. WHILIE LEAVING WORK TO GO HOME FOR LUNCH , THE FIRST INCIDENT I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT APPROX. 15MPH . AS I BEGAN THE LEFT TURN UNKNOWINGLY MY CAR SHUT OFF POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND I SLAMMED INTO CURB AND ENDED UP ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 23, 2019 · crash

I WAS GOING TO WORK AS I CAME DOWN THE OFF RAMP I LOST ALL POWER AND HIT A POLE THERE WAS MASSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TO THE ENGINE ALSO I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE I DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED ALSO MY AIR BAGS NEVER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 12, 2015 · crash

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CAMARO RS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE POWER TRAIN DISENGAGED MOMENTARILY ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND ESC FAILED. THE AUTO TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AND THE STEERING BECAME UNSTABLE. WARNING BELLS AND DOOR LOCKS WENT OFF. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 5, 2011

LDrivi at 40 mph on a 45 mph street a car suddenly braked ahead of me I bumped my ignition key fob unintentionally when I went to react quick and went to brake and suddenly the car went off I went to swerve as quickly as I could to not rear end the person upfront but the wheel locked and it was so…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 13, 2023 · crash

2011 Chevrolet Camaro — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 259 complaints put the 2011 model at #5 of 49 Camaro years. It is one of the Camaro years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Camaro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (69 complaints), electrical system (35 complaints), engine (32 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Camaro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camaro years to avoid are 2010, 2015, 1995, 2014, 2011, 2017, 2013, 1998, 2016, 1994, 1996, 2012, 1999, 2000, 1991, 2018, 1992, 2002, 1997, 2019, 1985, 2001. The cleanest record among Camaro years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.