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Let’s take a look at 5th-gen Chevrolet Camaro’s worst years, its longevity, and everything else you need to know before buying one used.

Debuted in 1967, the infamous Chevrolet Camaro became an instant hit for car enthusiasts looking for raw American V8 power. The Camaro was discontinued after 2002, but it was revived with a complete redesign and a new platform eight years later.

According to the Consumer Reports website, the excellent reliability of the fifth-gen Chevy Camaro makes it one of the best sports cars under the $25,000-mark for buyers on the used market. Despite that, widespread problems make some model years less reliable than others. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 5th-gen Chevrolet Camaro’s worst years, its longevity, and everything else you need to know before buying one used.

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Due to expensive problems at low mileage, the Car Complaints website rates 2010 as the worst year for the Chevy Camaro. The most frequently-reported issue concerns the timing chain in the V6 models wearing out prematurely. A timing chain itself wouldn’t cost much, but a broken one could do irreversible damage to the powertrain. Many owners have had no option but to replace the entire engine. On average, the problem occurred after 81,000 miles and cost owners almost $2,000 to fix.

Another widespread problem with the 2010 model pertains to the passenger airbag sensors. According to the reports, the passenger airbag warning light comes on intermittently, indicating the unit is not active. The problem has occurred after 64,000 miles on average, and owners have spent about $500 to replace the sensor.

Several 2013 Camaro owners have complained about the brakes making a squealing noise. Although it doesn’t affect the performance directly, the sound can irritate the driver. The reports indicate that GM is aware of the issue and doesn’t have any solution for it. After inspection, dealers have told owners that this is just how the brakes operate, and they can’t do anything to omit the noise.

Many reports mention multiple electrical problems, including the radio screen going black. “Radio screen goes black most of the time. Sometimes it pops on and off. The issue also affects the a/c and heater. It blinks on and off all the time. Replaced module, still doing it,” quoted a 2013 model owner on Car Complaints.

On several occasions, owners of the 2014 Camaro have reported the key gets stuck in the ignition switch. On average, the problem has occurred after only 28,850 miles of use. Owners have had to replace the shifter for roughly $350 to get rid of this issue.

Last but not least, owner complaints suggest the 2014 Camaro has the same electrical issues as the 2013 model. Owners commenting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website have mentioned the radio, the A/C, and the heater independently turning on and off without warning. Furthermore, owners have mentioned the exterior lights stopped working, even though the bulbs and the fuses were fine.

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Many reputable sources suggest that a Chevy Camaro can offer 150,000 to 200,000 miles of reliable service with regular care, which is impressive for a sports car. However, when shopping for one, you want to look for records showing proper maintenance. Also having a pre-purchase inspection done is always advised as it can reveal potential red flags as well as a clean bill of health.

Following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule is vital if you want to get 10 to 20 years out of your Chevy Camaro. Some of the critical services for the fifth-gen Camaro include:

According to the RepairPal website, the cost of ownership for a Chevy Camaro sits at $585 on a yearly basis, which is about $150 lower than its rival, the Ford Mustang.

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The Chevy Camaro’s wild nature makes it an adventure to drive every time you hop behind the steering wheel. However, the popular American muscle had a few alarming problems concerning 2010, 2013, and 2014 models.

If you’re buying a sports car on the used market, it would be a safer bet to avoid the Camaro’s problematic years due to widespread issues at low mileage. Also, check the engine and the transmission with a trusted mechanic to ensure you’re not spending your money on a lemon.

Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.