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2012 Chevrolet Camaro Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Blend door and heater core failure affecting defrost.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #19E064000 · Sep 19, 2019

Issue: 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.

Risk: Once the engine is off, the vehicle can lose power steering and power braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The air bags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the key with the flat blade design, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 6, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192223230.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #14V346000 · Jun 20, 2014

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #14V447000 · Jul 23, 2014

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #14V300000 · Jun 6, 2014

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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

Campaign #13V023000 · Jan 24, 2013

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro.

Reported to NHTSA

Blend door and heater core failure affecting defrost

VISIBILITY/WIPER

8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2020-07

“2012 CAMARO WITH 56000 MILES ON IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH HEATER CORE BEING PLUGGED. CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG OVER SUDDENLY LOSING VISIBILITY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10945194
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR IN THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITION UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT PROVIDE HOT AIR INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, AND ALSO AFFECTED THE OPERATION OF THE DEFROSTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11299917
“HEATER CORE FAILURE - MY CAR HAVE JUST 52000 MILES ALWAYS KEEPING ALL THE MAINTENANCE SERVICES ON TIME BUT NOW THE SMELL OF COOLANT COMING FRM THE A/C VENTS AND A LEAK INSIDE THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080848

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shudder and hesitation during acceleration

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2018-12

“WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, AND DURING GRADUAL ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND BEGINS TO SHUDDER WHEN IT ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10480927
“WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10749600
“IN MAY, STARTED TO FEEL A VIBRATION/SHIMMY OF SOME SORT WHEN ACCELERATING IN ALL SORTS OF SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10482913

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Convertible top water leak into cabin

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2022-12

“MY 2012 CAMARO CONVERTIBLE DEVELOPED LEAKS (HOLES) IN THE WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981064
“Driver side rear floor area floods every single time it rains. It's been like this since I owned the car. I have a 2012 convertible camaro”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11496924
“SAID TO BE A FAULTY WATER BLADDER DESIGNED TO REMOVE LEAKING WATER FROM CONVT TOP IN THE TRUNK AREA, CAUSED BY TWO BUTTONS ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP MISSING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10747746

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch stalling and unexpected shutoff

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2026-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11751815
“WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH/ KEY IS SLIGHTLY BUMPED WITH KNEE, THE CAR SHUTS OFF. THREE TIMES NOW. DEALERSHIP NOT RESPONSIVE. TAUGHT MY TEEN DRIVERS WHAT TO DO IF THIS HAPPENS AND THIS SAVED MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE WHEN IT HAPPENED TO HER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592714
“ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A MEDIAN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652065

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2024-08

“SUDDEN DECELERATION, LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN REAR END COLLISION WITH 3 FATALITIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705409
“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN FENCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11278391
“THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10661553

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall and internal engine failure

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2023-12

“I WAS CALLED MIDDAY AND WAS ADVISED THAT MY ENGINE WAS SEIZED (OR LOCKED UP)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090312
“THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON HEAD VALVE SPRING IN THE ENGINE HAD FRACTURED IN HALF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11218514
“THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIX-ROD BEARING HAD SPUN WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10611286

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

93 crashes 1990–2024

How the 93 occupant deaths break down

68

driver deaths

20

passenger deaths

5

not recorded by seat

93

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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