Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and wheels and tires. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Chevrolet Camaro: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 25 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | RWD | 22 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | RWD | 20 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission trouble dominates. Reports describe shaking or shudder under acceleration, jerking with whining or metallic noises at highway speed, a loud bang when shifting from reverse to drive, and a car that stops accelerating and rolls backward on a hill. Three complaints involve crashes, one with an injury, including sudden loss of control and unintended acceleration while reversing. Repairs mentioned include a replaced TCM and a full transmission replacement. Several filings say a recall repair cannot be done because the part is unavailable, which leaves owners waiting.
Sudden power loss is the most serious pattern. Reports describe stalling with the check engine light on, dashboard lights going dark above 65 mph, and an 'engine power reduced' message with code P2138 that repeated pedal replacements did not fix. Other complaints cover a false 'shift to park' message that can stop the car from shutting down or locking, a trunk and convertible top that will not open, and a safety restraint warning traced to connectors under the passenger seat. No crashes are reported.
Sudden lockup while driving or braking is the core complaint. Both reports in this category ended in crashes, with 3 people injured in total. One describes an intermittent noise and locking sensation when slowing that a dealer could not replicate before the crash. The other reports the car becoming uncontrollable with several warning lights on, then hitting a guardrail and fracturing two tires. In neither case did a shop find a cause or reproduce the failure.
Front suspension parts separate without warning. One complaint describes a camber plate nut coming off inside the shock, causing a total loss of control and a crash. A small clunk came before that failure. Another reports a left front lower ball joint failing with a pop while backing and turning at low speed, with no impact and no damage to the wheel or tire. In that case the dealer blamed a road impact, which the owner disputes.
Headlights and daytime running lights go out, and the fix is not a simple bulb. In one case, two dealers and an independent mechanic said the whole headlight module must be replaced. Another owner was quoted $2,300 for a dead left headlight and daytime lamp. The reports cite cars at 47,750 and about 62,000 miles, and one owner notes reduced visibility at night. Both owners consider the repair too expensive, and one left the car unrepaired.
Excerpts from complaints Camaro owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The "Safety Restraint system" service warning kept coming on the dash. The chevrolet place said they would have to change the "connectors" on the sensor under the passenger seat. So I had to pay them $100 to fix this. My passenger could have been in danger of NOT having an airbag deploy if needed if I was to get in a wreck! Yes the problem was confirmed by Westgate chevrolet in Burgaw, NC.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
The trunk will not open. It will not open even using the keyfob, using the actual key, nor pressing the button on the driver side door. There is a constant message saying that the trunk is not secured and the car is constantly alarming because of the trunk. Unable to open the convertible top. Message says to open top manually. There is no way to manually open the top
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 5 Camaro years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the fifth model year of the Camaro's sixth generation (2016–2024).
It includes the 2019 update.
What changed for 2019
Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Cars shoppers compare with the Chevrolet Camaro, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
