Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Camaro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's grandson owned a 2016 Chevrolet Camero. While the grandson was driving at approximately 40 MPH, smoke suddenly was present coming from under the front hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately parked and moments later flames and smoke streamed from the engine compartment and the vehicle exploded. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the grandson sustained burns and blisters to both feet and fringed hair and facial hairs which did not require medical treatment. Also, items of clothing were burned. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel was firm, and the accelerator pedal was difficult to depress. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had been diagnosed by the mechanic and it was determined that the vehicle had experienced an electrical system failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The component that failed is the 8-speed automatic transmission and torque converter on my 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS. The system experienced shuddering, slipping, and overheating, leading to unsafe driving conditions. The defective parts are no longer available for inspection because they are being replaced through a dealership service center, but the vehicle and records of prior repairs are available upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the transmission caused hesitation, loss of power during acceleration, and unpredictable shifting. This created dangerous situations in traffic where the car failed to respond as expected. The problem has been confirmed and reproduced by authorized GM dealers during multiple visits. They have identified overheating and failure codes related to the transmission and torque converter. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that on the same day that the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start-up. The dealer, Flori Auto Sales LLC, was contacted, and the dealer towed the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor "A" had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic and was informed that the dealer needed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. …
I am filing an official safety complaint regarding a severe unaddressed factory design defect on my 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The vehicle suffers from catastrophic water intrusion into the primary electrical system hub in the trunk during normal, everyday rain conditions. Due to a manufacturing or design failure in the rear trunk decklid seals and wiring harnesses, ordinary rainfall flows directly into the trunk floorboard. This standing water submerges the vehicle's primary battery, rear fuse block, and factory audio amplifier. This has disabled my infotainment/central command screen, causing a total electrical no-start condition. Most critically, this ongoing flooding creates a severe safety and crash hazard that compromises the vehicle's steering infrastructure. …
I have almost had an accident twice based on the transmission not shifting properly and the car loosing traction between 1st and 2nd gear. Chevy has flushed the transmission 3 times with no change. 3 weeks ago the engine failed while I was trying to accelerate on a highway. This caused a truck to almost Ram the back of my car and another car almost hit me as I tried to get to the side of the highway. I was able to drive it to the dealer. Auto nation Chevrolet on lee vista blvd, orl. Florida. They determined that it was a catastrophic engine failure. The engine has been taken apart into many pieces and much of it is sitting on the dealership shop floor. The mechanic said the engine failure was due to a defective valve casing and a defective spring..damaging the camshaft. All valves and springs and camshaft would need to be replaced. …
The windshield fogs up and drips with air on the feet. No way to clear the increasing fog unless you turn the air-conditioning off and increase the heat there for on the 90+ hot and muggy day you are left with heat exhaustion or pulling over on the side of the roadways which is never safe. When it rains good luck deciding if you want to turn the window defoggers on and cause condensation or open the windows in the rain to get wet which makes the windows steam up completely or last resort is to turn the heat up on the defrosters and heat up the whole car. . Or again, pull over to the side of the road indefinitely or do not drive your car in 80% of the south's weather conditions. Really sad that GM and the Chevrolet dealerships fix to this issue is to say "welcome to the south" and laugh. This happens when its muggy out, raining, cool and wet, early morning or late evening. …
Purchased 2016 Chevrolet Camaro on 6/18/2016 few days after the engine was running very rough, grinding noise, transmission shifting hard, the check engine light illuminated and speed reduced to 5 MPH showed on display. This has been going on since then, I brought to dealer on 7/1/2016 and the service mechanic took back to check codes and informed me that numerous error codes were detected and told me to go ahead and take vehicle home because it was a holiday weekend and to return on Tuesday 7/5/2016 to be inspected for repair.
The cars push button start is not workimg to start the car, intermittant. The car shuts off in traffic. The cars negitive battery cable, ignition switch, were repaired but the car s hesitant to start again. The engine feels like it is going to die again whike driving. The car is hesitant on acceleration. The car was deemed a lemon November 2017 for several engine, safty, and suspension issues but general motors is keeping this case in appeals due to non-compliance to replace the unsafe car awarded by the arbitrator.
Engine complaints in other Camaro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, 16% of the model year's 141 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Camaro engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Camaro engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.