VehicleVerdict

2012 Chevrolet Camaro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 156 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median Camaro year — the 2012 model ranks #12 of 49 Camaro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (27), engine (26), and airbags (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

156

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

15

Injuries

6

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Camaro years?

See all Camaro years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2717%
Engine2617%
Airbags2214%
Transmission1610%
Body & Structure106%
Other96%
Visibility & Wipers85%
Steering85%
Brakes64%
Seats53%
Suspension53%
Tires & Wheels43%
Lighting32%
Fuel System32%
Speed Control32%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

5 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.

14V300000AirbagsJune 6, 2014 · 31,520 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

13V023000AirbagsJanuary 24, 2013 · 4,167 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE GAS STATION TO GET A DRINK. WHEN I PULLED IN I SHUT THE CAR OFF REMOVED THE KEY AND LOCKED THE DOORS. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT DEEMED THE FIRE TO BE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 5, 2013 · fire

I PARKED MY CAR AROUND 815PM SUNDAY NIGHT 8/24/14.. AROUND 10 PM I WENT BACK TO MY CAR AND GOT MY PAPERS OUT THE TRUNK. AROUND 1 AM MY NEIGHBOR CAME TO MY DOOR TO LET ME KNOW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE .. BEFORE I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS ON FIRE I DID HEAR A LOUD BOOM NOISE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A DIESEL ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CAMARO. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 10, 2014 · crash

AT RPM'S APPROXIMATELY 1200-2000 CAR STUTTERS, LIKE IT NEEDS TO DOWNSHIFT. HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN APPLYING GRADUAL ACCELERATION. DEALER SERVICE SAYS NO ERROR CODES FOUND, THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" ON THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION & THAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS, THE TRANSMISSION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 1, 2012

I PARKED MY CAR AROUND 815PM SUNDAY NIGHT 8/24/14.. AROUND 10 PM I WENT BACK TO MY CAR AND GOT MY PAPERS OUT THE TRUNK. AROUND 1 AM MY NEIGHBOR CAME TO MY DOOR TO LET ME KNOW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE .. BEFORE I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS ON FIRE I DID HEAR A LOUD BOOM NOISE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A DIESEL ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 24, 2014 · fire

2012 Chevrolet Camaro — common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 156 complaints put the 2012 model at #12 of 49 Camaro years. It is one of the Camaro years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Camaro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (27 complaints), engine (26 complaints), airbags (22 complaints).

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.