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Research · Compact Cars

2012 Chevrolet CamaroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 113 owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. Most complaints involve electrical system (27) and engine (26). The EPA rates it 14–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–22mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
113
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Remedy pending

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.

Electrical systemReported Sep 19, 2019NHTSA 19E064000

Seats: power adjust

Remedy pending

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.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V447000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jun 20, 2014NHTSA 14V346000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

113 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2012 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system27
  2. Engine26
  3. Air bags22
  4. Power train15
  5. Structure11
  6. Steering8
  7. Service brakes7
  8. Visibility/wiper7
  9. Suspension6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Camaro model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996125
199775
1998191
199997
200087
200153
200281
2010295
2011194
2012113
2013187
2014188
2015206
2016141
2017191
201881
201953
202033
202120
202214
202316
20244
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

27 reports2 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several dealers several times. The alternator and the engine fuse were replaced, and a tune-up was completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11752387

Engine

26 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with a defective timing chain and gear. The contact was informed that the timing chain and gear needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was provided a case number. After repeated calls to the manufacturer, the manufacturer helped with the repair. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 75,559.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2023EngineODI 11558560

Air bags

22 reports7 crashes1 fire
“The air bags aren't working properly. They initially fixed a prior issue with my air bags long ago. However this issue has persisted. I think these cars have major issues with our air bags.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2024Air bagsODI 11608879
All 2012 Camaro problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Camaro
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182822$2,850404
Camaro
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192922$2,850404
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172720$3,100444
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
Camaro
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$3,450494
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,850555
Camaro
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,450635
  • Camaro
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    12 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
Chevrolet Camaro C RWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Camaro 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6513Vehicle 6512
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Camaro questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (27), engine (26), air bags (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro at 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026