2018 Chevrolet CAMARO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 80 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 18 | 22.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Electrical System: 20; Power Train: 17; Steering: 17; Engine: 15; Unknown Or Other: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 47 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 10; 2020: 14; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 13; 2024: 4; 2025: 19; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11327371 · 2020-06-05 (June 5, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 CAMARO LT1 TURBO ON THE CITY IT WAS POURING REALLY BAD AND I WAS DRIVING CAREFULLY WHEN I FELT THE CAR PULLING TO THE SIDE A BIT BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS SLIPPERY AND THEN AS KEPT DRIVING A MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE" POP UP. MY STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY GOT HARD AND I HAD TO MAKE THE EFFORT TO TURN AND STOP AT A GAS STATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11331531 · 2020-06-29 (June 29, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING WHEN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN AND BECAUSE OF THE MILAGE THE DEALERSHIP WON'T COVER IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALLED 2017 MODEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,169 miles reported. Look up ODI 11331531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11042281 · 2017-11-02 (November 2, 2017)
ON THE ZL1 TRIM PACKAGE, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP THE THE CARS TORQUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY CONFIGURED AND SENSES WHEEL SLIP (EVIDENT ON THE ELSD SLIP GUAGE) AND CUTS ENGINE POWER AND CAUSES THE CAR TO BOG DOWN AND POTENTIALLY STALL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DISCUSSED AT LENGTH ON NUMEROUS FORUMS. HERE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. HTTP://WWW.CAMARO6.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=498180
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11042281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11062340 · 2018-01-12 (January 12, 2018)
LOSS POWER ON TAKE OFF MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11062340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11076796 · 2018-03-08 (March 8, 2018)
THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES ATTEMPTING TO START FROM A STOP. VEHICLE HAS ALSO STALLED GOING UP DRIVEWAYS. ONLY WAY TO AVOID STALLING IS TO NOT APPLY THROTTLE OR RIDE THE CLUTCH WHICH IS GOING TO PREMATURELY WEAR SAID CLUTCH.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268697 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
IF THE CAR IS NOT KEPT ON A CHARGING SYSTEM THE BATTERY CAN DRAIN WITHIN 48 HOURS - 2 WEEKS. WHEN I LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH THE DOORS LOCKED FOR 48 HOURS THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. WHEN I LEAVE IT IN THE GARAGE FOR A WEEK UNLOCKED THE BATTERY IS DEAD. IT TOOK 45 MINUTES TO JUMP START IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11268697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351753 · 2020-08-28 (August 28, 2020)
I HAVE A 2018 CAMERO THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I KEEP UP MY SERVICE ON MY CAR. ONE DAY I NOTICED A SMOKEY SMELL WHEN I CRANK THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE TO START AT TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND SHOWED THEM THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR WAS ON AND TOLD THEM MY CAR WOULDN'T START FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME IT WAS MY BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR DROVE FINE BUT I STILL SMELLED FUMES WHEN I CRANK THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF. ON 8/25/2020 MY CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11351753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11301502 · 2020-01-23 (January 23, 2020)
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE LOCKS UP AND BRAKES BECOME HARD AS A ROCK, AND CAUSE ME TO SPIN OUT ON THE FREEWAY. RADIO CUT OFF AND FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS PICKING UP SPEED RATHER THEN SLOWING DOWN! ONSTAR THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME VIA EMAIL THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY ANTI BRAKING SYSTEM AND STABILITY TRAC SYSTEM AFTER THE CRASH.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11301502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360361 · 2020-09-21 (September 21, 2020)
THIS IS TO DOCUMENT AND REPORT THAT I PURCHASED MY 2018 CHEVY CAMARILLO ON APRIL 15, 2020 WITH 18,000 MILES. MY CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 20, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15PM. IT WAS A CLEAR EVENING AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. I WAS STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION, READY TO TURN RIGHT TO CATCH THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE. AS I PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT, FROM A TWO LANE RIGHT TURN LANE, I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND BEGAN ATTEMPTING THE RIGHT HAND TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DRASTICALLY HARDER AND ULTIMATELY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN TO CONTROL…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511844 · 2023-03-14 (March 14, 2023)
Part number 12703596 that feeds the fuel line has an L bracket that holds the line in place. This bracket is secured to the CylinderbHead on the driverside of the vehicle. The bracket separated from the fuel line at the weld creating a hole. This caused a fuel leak. This fuel leak sprayed fuel down the backside of the engine towards the exhaust. Luckily I did not cause a fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511844 at NHTSA ↗