2012 Chevrolet Camaro
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Coupe RWD Ls/Lt, 2dr Coupe RWD SS, Convertible RWD Ls/Lt, Convertible RWD SS
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 190.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,748–3,869 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints68 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 303 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 14% below the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.6L 6-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,748 lb (2dr Coupe RWD Ls/Lt).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 29 highway), 14% worse than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Camaro — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Camaro →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Oshawa #1 (Osh), Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 Camaro configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe RWD Ls/Lt | 190.6 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 112.2 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 3,748 lb | 52/48 |
| 2dr Coupe RWD SS | 190.6 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 112.2 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,869 lb | 52/48 |
| Convertible RWD Ls/Lt | 190.6 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 112.2 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,750 lb | 52/48 |
| Convertible RWD SS | 190.6 in | 75.6 in | 54.3 in | 112.2 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,860 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camaro | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | -14% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Camaro | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 29 / 22 | -14% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Camaro | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | -22% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Camaro | 6.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -26% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Camaro | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | -30% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Camaro | 6.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -37% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Camaro | 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | -45% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro.
Similar 2012 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Ford Mustang | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda Accord | 27 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Impala | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (4)
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 23, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jun 20, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V346000 · 464,712 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Air Bags · Jun 6, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V300000 · 31,520 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Jan 24, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V023000 · 4,167 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Chevrolet Camaro buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 17 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 17 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 68,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Camaro years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Camaro | 22 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2023 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 16 |
| 2022 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 14 |
| 2021 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 20 |
| 2020 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 32 |
| 2019 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 53 |
| 2018 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 81 |
| 2017 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 190 |
| 2016 Camaro | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 141 |
| 2015 Camaro | 22 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 205 |
| 2014 Camaro | 22 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 161 |
| 2013 Camaro | 22 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 143 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →