2021 Chevrolet Camaro Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro carries a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among the 15 model years with data, and NHTSA gives it a "Best" verdict. It has 18 complaints, 4 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported, with transmission and powertrain issues topping the list at 9 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 14/100
- #13 of 15 Camaro years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 16 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Camaro problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (50%)
- Engine4 (22%)
- Fuel System4 (22%)
- Other3 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Airbags1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission jerks and jolts briefly during driving before returning to normal, sometimes fixed with a dealer software update.
- Vehicle loses power, hesitates to accelerate, and shakes intermittently, with some owners also reporting hard starts.
- Fuel pump drive control module failures leave the car unable to start, triggering diagnostic trouble codes.
- Owners describe a strong burning oil smell inside the cabin that causes nausea and eye irritation while driving.
- Engine lifters and camshaft have needed full replacement in some cases, with a new abnormal noise and stall following repair.
- Hill start assist has locked the transmission on an incline and would not release as expected.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V148000Mar 6, 2025Transmission & Powertrain90,081 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242480630.
- NHTSA 21V211000Mar 25, 2021Airbags30 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The plastic "Camaro" emblem, located on the steering wheel air bag cover, may separate during deployment of the frontal driver air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash, plastic pieces of emblem may act as projectiles from deployment of the driver air bag can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the frontal driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212327220.
- NHTSA 21V188000Mar 18, 2021Transmission & Powertrain8 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving.
Risk: A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212331000.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Camaro years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Camaro ranks among the better years, with a complaint index of 14 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Camaro model years.
- What problems does the 2021 Camaro have?
- NHTSA lists 18 complaints for the 2021 Camaro, with transmission and powertrain issues making up half of them (9 complaints), followed by engine and fuel system complaints at 4 each.
- Does the 2021 Camaro have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Camaro, covering the 10-speed transmission control module, a steering wheel airbag emblem, an axle shaft retaining ring, and suspect suspension bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Camaro compare to other years?
- The 2021 Camaro ranks 13th worst out of 15 model years, with a much lower complaint index (14) than early years like 2010 (100) and 2011 (93), which are rated "Avoid."
- What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2021 Camaro?
- Across all complaints, the median mileage at failure is 49,330 miles, though transmission and powertrain issues showed a lower median of 40,213 miles.