AI Damage2016 Chevrolet Camaro: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro filed 141 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 1,216 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 141
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,216
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 34% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 48 complaints (34% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 129.
- Electrical system: 31 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 225.
- Engine: 22 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 140.
- Steering: 22 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Visibility: 10 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 6.2 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 141 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 48 | 1 | 129 |
| Electrical system | 31 | 1 | 225 |
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 140 |
| Steering | 22 | 1 | 21 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 29 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 34 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 73 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1 | 62 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 31 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The ambient lights and screen along with the gear lights only sometimes work. My morimoto aftermarket headlights wiring all have completely melted and needed to be replaced and that is just the small things. The car has always had severe driving malfunctions.
No warning lights were illuminated and the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained by either vehicle occupants. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was diagnosed as a rack and pinion failure that needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet camaro. While driving approximately 30 mph, the front wheels shook uncontrollably. The contact lost control of the vehicle as it spun around twice and crashed into a metal divider. None of the frontal air bags deployed. There were no warning indicators illuminated.
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.
Transmission failed, at under 100k miles. Reached out to Chevy after seeing all the transmission issues in the news, they were no help, they did not offer any type of warranty or recall, and we all know they have an issue. M06y vehicle is within the years of the recall, but they would not cover anything.
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from first gear to third gear, the vehicle shuddered abnormally, and then jolted into the next gear. The failure also occurred while the transmission was downshifting. There was no warning light illuminated.
Power Steering and stabilitrack keeps popping off on my dashboard. Took it to service at Chevy dealer but they couldn’t seems to find any problem even when they see the issue.
The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, requiring the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that upon replacing the battery, the power steering feature returned for one day before the failure returned.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 447 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Camaro has 59 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 141, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This PI Addresses a possible solenoid wiring fault and how to inspect the build date to identify
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer…
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
NHTSA lists 1,216 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 141. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (14%), warning lights, check engine (13%), steering or power steering problems (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro?
NHTSA lists 1,216 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.