Chevrolet Camaro Engine Problems

Owners have filed 398 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Chevrolet Camaro — 15% of all Camaro complaints. The worst model years are 2010 (84), 2011 (33) and 2012 (26). Problems typically start around 50,000 miles. No engine recall has been issued for the Camaro.

398complaints
2010worst year
50ktypical miles
0related recalls
8crashes
13fires

Engine complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’231817131761391184332615232623251565346
Engine complaints per model year, Chevrolet Camaro.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2023640%—
2022429%—
2021315%—
2020516%38,000 miles
2019611%23,000 miles
20181519%22,000 miles
20172513%24,000 miles
20162316%30,000 miles
20152613%40,000 miles
20142312%14,000 miles
2013158%5,000 miles
20122623%68,000 miles
20113317%46,000 miles
20108428%68,000 miles
20021116%40,000 miles
2001919%52,000 miles
20001317%79,000 miles
199967%139,000 miles
19981710%184,000 miles
19971319%60,000 miles
19961715%110,000 miles
1995188%95,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Engine
    34
  • Engine › Gasoline
    30
  • Cooling system
    12
  • Exhaust system
    9
  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
    8
  • Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    7
  • Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
    4
  • Exhaust system › Emission control
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    7330%
  • 25k–50k
    5121%
  • 50k–75k
    5021%
  • 75k–100k
    3916%
  • 100k–150k
    2510%
  • 150k+
    31%

What owners report

Engine failure which required a full engine replacement. The vehicle is unmodified and the engine was replaced under warranty. The certified Chevrolet dealer that replaced the engine confirmed that the issue was the same bearing failure that is impacting the 6.2L L87 V8 engines. The engine in my Camaro is a 6.2L LT1 V8, which is not covered under the current L87 recall. The first indicator of the issue was a grinding noise coming from the engine when coming to a stop. This noise was most noticable when coming to a stop or accelerating from a stop. No warning lights or error messages ever appeared.

2023 Camaro · May 2025

My engine got my brand new Camaro is having a lifter tick issue. This seems to be a very common issue amongst these new Chevy engines, after doing research they all seem to stem from the same problem, and that would be the fuel management system that deactivates certain cylinders in the engine to "save on gas", or better MPG. So their own technology is breaking their engines, I'm certain my car is having this issue now and it's very, very expensive to fix.

2023 Camaro · May 2024

There is a security flaw in the software programming of the vehicle. In the 2019+ models of the sixth generation Camaro, they have added a check that requires you to depress both the clutch and the brake to start the vehicle. (Manual transmissions) This is a severe safety flaw because if you stall pulling across or into an intersection, you have to fully stop instead of promptly being able to restart the vehicle and move out of danger. Source: Owner and dealer employee. I would like to see this remedied with a software patch. There should be no mechanical reason the vehicle has to do this, as the engine and transmission are the same from 2016 thru 2023. This is a deliberate design flaw that should be remedied before someone is harmed.

2022 Camaro · Apr 2024

My car has been sitting at the dealership since July 28, 2025 due to a faulty valve body from GM. The part is apparently back ordered but it has been 2 months now with zero estimate on when the dealership will get this part to fix my car. I have had 3 loaners and being requested to take the new loaner in for my fourth loaner which takes time Out of my day constantly having to switch out cars which I have also repeatedly put gas in and ends up with more gas than when it was given to me. I'm very frustrated at the lack of answers of when my car will be fixed and given back to me as I continue making expensive car payments each month. What can be done for this frustration?

2022 Camaro · Jul 2025

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. …

2021 Camaro · Apr 2026

there is a burning oil smell, that is so pungent it causes nausea and burning of the eyes when driving the vehicle. have taken it to 2 separate dealerships, the first told me they could not find an oil leak and i would have to deal with it. the second dealership stated that it is a valve on the back of the motor and that there is nothing they can do about it. i was told not to roll down the windows and to leave recirculate on. called and spoke to gm directly and they state take it to a third dealer and they denied my request to send a master tech to check the vehicle. i am left with driving a car that leave me nauseated and is a possible hazard to drive.

2021 Camaro · Oct 2021 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle vibrated, jerked, and made abnormal whining and metallic sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a Toyota dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to Starling GMC Titusville(1350 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32780), where it was diagnosed. The dealer determined that the engine and the drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2020 Camaro · 130,000 miles · Jan 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle was overheating, and the coolant gauge was stuck in the cold region. The contact heard an abnormal sound after the vehicle was turned off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the thermostat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,300.

2020 Camaro · 38,000 miles · Sep 2023

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Camaro years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (84), 2011 (33), 2012 (26), 2015 (26) and 2017 (25) model years. Engine complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2010.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Camaro engine problems?

No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Chevrolet Camaro model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Camaro engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the engine (34 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (30).

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.