Research · Subcompact Cars · 4 NHTSA variants

2021 Chevrolet CamaroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro. Most complaints involve power train (10) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 16–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–25mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2025
Owner complaints
20
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.

Power trainReported Mar 6, 2025NHTSA 25V148000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The plastic "Camaro" emblem, located on the steering wheel air bag cover, may separate during deployment of the frontal driver air bag.

Air bagsReported Mar 25, 2021NHTSA 21V211000

Power train: axle shaft

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving.

Power trainReported Mar 18, 2021NHTSA 21V188000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train10
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Engine3
  4. Fuel system, gasoline2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Other / unknown3

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
2017190
201881
201953
202032
202120
202214
202315
20244
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
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

Power train

10 reports
“I experienced a known issue with my transmission with the MIL code P2812. The TSB PIP5799 which has to do with the Electrical fault in Transmission Control Solenoid Valve 7 (Line Pressure Solenoid). I took it to the dealership and left it there for a week only for them to be unable to figure out the root cause and fix it. So I had to pay a $180 diagnostic fee, only for the same exact problem to occur not even a week later.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Power trainODI 11767071

Electrical system

3 reports
“REAR VIEW MIRROR CAMERA WILL NOT FUNCTION. THIS CAMERA IS USED TO GIVE ONE A BETTER VIEW OF WHAT IS BEHIND THEM.IT WAS WORKING GREAT ONE DAY AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR IT WOULD NOT FUNTION. CHECKED FUSES AND THEY WERE GOOD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11767186

Engine

3 reports
“Dealership replaced all 16 lifters and replaced camshaft. Dealerships repair took 28 days. Repair cost $4k out of my pocket and Chevrolet Corporate covered $4700 due to the know lifter issue with their engines. Within 24 hours & less than 100 miles, vehicle started making new abnormal noise, and the engine shut off and would not start back up. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the dealership’s extensive engine repair. Had it towed back to the dealership. Dealership informed that it was catastrophic engine failure. Cylinder 1 piston connecting rod bearing spun damaging the crankshaft. Stating engine replacement required. Dealership stated that they are not accepting liability. Dealership is also not providing documentation of diagnostics report/ inspection of the failure, as well as documentation and diagnostics on the cause of failure. Dealership stated that they have no explanation as to how the failure occurred. Chevrolet Corporate Customer claims team will not escalate the claim further and will not assist in having dealership provide mandatory documentation that was requested.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11734471
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (S10) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular 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 (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
223025$3,100358
Camaro
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182922$2,850404
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192922$3,500397
Camaro
Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162620$3,850452
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162620$3,100453
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050477
Camaro
Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
132116$4,850571
Camaro
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,850564
  • Camaro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 29 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 29 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    13 city · 21 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Camaro
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
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

8 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
8.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Camaro 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.3%
Overall
— / 5
Chevrolet Camaro LT1 C RWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Camaro LT1 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
8.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15197Vehicle 15193Vehicle 15198
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

2021 Camaro questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro have?

4 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 2021 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (10), electrical system (3), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro at 16–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026