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2013 Chevrolet Camaro Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Radio, HVAC, and turn-signal control module failure.” 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.

4 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #13V463000 · Sep 26, 2013

Issue: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Coupes manufactured June 9, 2013, through September 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the required air bag warning label on the sun visor may peel off. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: If the air bag warning label detaches from the visor, the driver and front seat passenger may not be warned of the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and instruct owners how to inspect the visor sticker. As necessary, dealers will replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13284.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #23V516000 · Jul 27, 2023

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro.

Reported to NHTSA

Radio, HVAC, and turn-signal control module failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

60 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2024-11

“The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio, air conditioning unit, and other electrical features became inoperable without warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11445954
“The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and coming out of the driveway, the vehicle emitted a popping sound and the turn signal was engaged but failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the speedometer turned black”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11461497
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN TWO YEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256818

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering assist loss

STEERING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2025-04

“The contact stated that while driving 37 MPH and approaching a curve in the road, the “Service Power Steering” warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The contact used an excessive amount of force to steer the vehicle and drove to a nearby parking lot”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11653254
“WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND PULLED INTO ANOTHER LANE. LUCKILY, NO CARS WERE NEAR. WE MANAGED TO GET HOME AND TOOK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11057240
“IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11052649

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

HVAC blend door and heater core failure

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2024-12

“The Chevrolet Camaro has a issue with the blend door (temperature control door). It’s a piece of plastic that breaks which causes you not to have any heat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433829
“HVAC BLEND DOOR FAILS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THIS CAUSES THE AC TO PERFORM INCORRECTLY AND ONLY BLOW HOT AIR IN THE WARM/HOT SEASON. USING THE HEATER IN THE WINTER MELTS THE BLEND DOOR HINGE CAUSING THIS MALFUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319571
“HEATER CORE LEAK- AT STARTUP AND DURING DRIVING, KEEP SMELLING ANTIFREEZE. ANTIFREEZE WAS LOW SO ADDED TO FULL MARK. PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WOULD BE SOAKED AFTER SOME DAYS OF DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165387

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Manual transmission shift and clutch engagement failure

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2021-04

“INTERMITANTLY THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR THEN INTO SECOND, AND I AM TALKING REALLY FORCING SHIFTER INTO GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413874
“THE AISIN AY6 TRANSMISSION IN MY BRAND NEW 2013 CHEVROLET CAMARO LS IS DEFECTIVE TO THE POINT OF BEING A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10505805
“CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. CAR IS 6 SPEED MANUAL V-6 MODEL. REPEATEDLY TRIED SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR AT STOPLIGHT. TURNED CAR OFF AND STARTED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633029

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag deployment and passenger sensor failure

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2026-03

“During the crash, none of the airbags deployed, including the driver airbag, despite the severity of the side impact”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11722066
“THE DRIVER WAS PRONOUNCE DEAD AT SCENE. THE VEHICLES AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11416290
“RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND DROVE IT, AND I SAT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG HAD NOT TURNED ON. THE INDICATOR SAID OFF SO I LIFTED MY REAR FROM THE SEAT AND SAT DOWN HARD THEN THE LIGHT SAID IT WAS ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667540

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Knee contact with ignition key shuts off engine

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2023-05

“Was driving and my knee hit the ignition and the key turned my car off disabling the whole car and forcing me to pull over and restart the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11524677
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, HER KNEE UNINTENTIONALLY KNOCKED THE KEY OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11233777
“BOUGHT A 2013 CAMARO, MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON MY CAR MY KEYS WERE BUMPED BY MY KNEE AND THE CAR JUST STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10882193

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

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

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

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)

100 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

20

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2013 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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