2012 Chevrolet Camaro problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, most often about electrical system. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 94,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 25 complaints (28%).
- Engine (5) and airbags (4) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 94,000 mi.
- Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
- The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro has 4 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 13th of 15 Chevrolet Camaro model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 14% fewer complaints than the 2011 model year (29).
2012 Chevrolet Camaro problems by category
- Electrical System7 complaints
- Other / Unknown5 complaints
- Engine5 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash4 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash3 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers2 complaints
- Brakes2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown or other | 5 |
| Air bags | 4 |
| Structure:body | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 |
| Power train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2012 Chevrolet Camaro recalls (4)
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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.
Risk: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Risk: 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.
- AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: 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.
- AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air Bag Non-deployment
General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety …
Recent 2012 Chevrolet Camaro complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Jul 23, 2026185,000 miWIElectrical System
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…
NHTSA complaint #11752387 · source - Filed Jul 21, 202688,000 miNJElectrical System
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the contact’s knee hit the ignition key and the vehicle shutoff and drove over into an oncoming lane. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle was driven back into the intended lane. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V346000 (Electrical System); however, the failure…
NHTSA complaint #11751815 · source - Filed Jul 15, 2026TXBody & StructureBrakesSuspension
I purchased this vehicle July of this year and just drove it to find it pulled extremely to the right. I was told it was an alignment issue which they attempted to fix which seems successful in July coming off the offramp after first time on the highway and applying the brakes, the car shook side side, and then up and down. It felt like the car was coming apart. I again notified the dealer. I purchased it from and was reminded it was bought as his, but that they would do…
NHTSA complaint #11750591 · source - Filed Jun 14, 2026PABrakes
Parking brake failed because crimped stopper at end of cable coming from interior lever failed. The stopper appears to be made of very soft metal and does not have much contact area with wire rope portion of cable. According to the dealership this is a very common failure, however, Chevrolet has discontinued the part. The manner in which this failed should never have happened. The car is equipped with a manual transmission and requires a functioning parking brake. Had this…
NHTSA complaint #11744021 · source - Filed Jan 20, 2026141,510 miCAElectrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 90,480, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 141,510.
NHTSA complaint #11712090 · source - Filed Dec 17, 2025ILElectrical System
I am experiencing similar issues to those identified in GM bulletin 07-06-04-019F. I keep getting DTC P2138. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The throttle/accelerator system. Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The Accelerator Pedal Position signal is unreliable which is now derating my engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No…
NHTSA complaint #11705602 · source - Filed Aug 16, 2024CAAirbags
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.
NHTSA complaint #11608879 · source - Filed Jun 13, 2024LAAirbagsSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain
Air bag on passenger side. transmission stared vibration brought in they repair it . This was still under warranty at the time. Now it doing it again. Seat they want change driver side motor . I fix it myself .it was the switch.
NHTSA complaint #11594291 · source
Compare the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro with another vehicle →
Other 2012 Chevrolet models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology