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Many 2010 Camaro owners have reported issues with the powertrain of the American muscle car.
Undoubtedly, the Chevrolet Camaro needs no introduction. Debuted in 1967, this two-door muscle car quickly became an American icon, rivaling big dogs around the block, such as the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger.
The first generation of the Camaro was based on the Chevy Nova and was initially called ‘Chevrolet Panther.’ But later on, General Motors abandoned the name, claiming it was too aggressive.
Now, after six generations, the Camaro stands out as one of the best American sports cars on the market. Although the newest 2022 model comes with excellent qualities, including a 6.2L naturally aspirated V8 powertrain on the SS 1LE trims, many might prefer compromising the latest features for a better price tag by buying a used Camaro.
Although Camaros are generally more reliable than other famous American sports cars, not all model years are worth buying on the used market. Like any other vehicle, the Camaro had its fair share of problems throughout the years. However, the 2010 model stands out as the least reliable Chevy Camaro due to widespread alarming issues.
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Owners of the 2010 Camaro have filed over 280 complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Moreover, with over 100 reports, the Car Complaints website dubs the 2010 model year as the most problematic edition of the Chevy Camaro.
The most commonly reported issues pertain to the vehicle’s powertrain. Owners have complained about the timing chain wearing off prematurely. Owners who noticed it early had to replace the timing chain at their own expense. However, several owners have mentioned not seeing it until it was too late, and it damaged the engine permanently. On average, people have spent roughly $2,000 on timing chain problems. The issue occurs well below the 100,000-mile mark.
Other than that, there are quite a few other powertrain-related reports from drivers dealing with headaches like engine stalls, rough starts, and excessive oil consumption.
Another problematic area for the 2010 Camaro is the airbag department. According to owner reports, the airbag light keeps coming on randomly and deactivates the passenger airbag. “The Airbag light continues to come off and on. Once I took it to the dealership, they said the airbag sensor needed to be replaced. The cost is $1500. I have a full extended warranty through Allstate, which does not cover safety repairs per service advisor,” quoted one owner on the Car Complaints website.
Several owners have had troubles with the 2010 Camaro’s transmission system, both manual and automatic. Owners have complained about different issues, including rough shifts, grinding sounds while shifting, and slipping gears. These issues have generally surfaced after 60,000 to 100,000 miles of use.
Last but not least, there are some reports of the power steering assist shutting off intermittently while the vehicle is in motion, requiring excessive force to maneuver the car. One owner commenting on NHTSA said, “I just bought a 2010 Chevy Camaro on December 30th from a certified pre-owned car dealer, and within a month, the power-steering pump fails, and I have no power steering.”
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Due to manufacturing defects, General Motors had to recall the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro three times.
In 2009, about 1,250 units equipped with V8 engines were recalled for a problem with the positive battery cable routing. An exposed cable could result in a short circuit, causing engine stalls without the ability to restart or an engine compartment fire. To tackle this, dealers were instructed to reroute the positive battery cable in ousted models to ensure adequate clearance.
General Motors recalled over 464,000 2010-2014 Camaros for a design flaw regarding the ignition switch in 2014. The manufacturer acknowledged that in these vehicles, the driver might accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, knocking the key out of the run position. If so, the airbags become disabled, and the engine, power steering, and brakes could lose power. Later on, in 2019, G.M. recalled 10,740 more 2010-2015 Camaros for the same issue.
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Due to various costly problems at low mileage, we highly recommend steering clear of 2010 Camaros on the used market. Although they might be more affordable to purchase than newer models, they’re generally more expensive to maintain. On the other hand, the 2011 model has significantly fewer registered owner complaints and has better reliability ratings.
Ultimately, when it comes to sports or performance cars, driving habits and maintenance are far more critical factors than factory defects. Regardless of the model year you choose, it’s best if you consult with a trusted mechanic to ensure the engine and transmission haven’t been put through too much abuse by the previous owner.
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.