Along with the El Camino and Impala, the Camaro comes to mind when thinking about iconic Chevy cars. First introduced in 1967, it’s still one of the most beloved cars in the automaker’s lineup. It’s also one of the cheapest sports cars on the market, though rare editions can fetch prices of over $900,000.

The Chevy Camaro had its most recent redesign in 2016. Its drivetrain is more refined, it’s faster, and it has a fresh new face. However, the latest generation is more unreliable than the previous ones. If you own a Camaro from 2017 or 2018, it may not hold up well in later years.

What happened in 2017?

According to Consumer Reports, the Chevrolet Camaro has had the lowest possible predicted reliability rating for a few years. While the 2017 model performed well in CR’s road test, they noted numerous problems with the car’s interior. It’s cramped, the front seats aren’t very supportive, and the driver doesn’t have a great view of the road.

The 2017 Camaro also doesn’t have many advanced safety features or the best fuel economy. The worst issues reported by owners were body and paint problems. One driver reported that their car’s clear coat had to be repainted, while another complained of a loose interior headliner.

Problems continued into the following year

The 2018 model didn’t see any major changes, but its owners came upon some new problems. Like the last year, the car was prone to having paint problems and minor issues like malfunctioning windows and locks. Drivers also reported issues with the Camaro’s power equipment.

2018 was also the year drivers started to see more severe problems with the Camaro. The nuts on the Camaro’s sway bar frequently come loose, resulting in a jarring clunk when going over bumps. Drivers also reported minor transmission problems, particularly a shudder caused by the transmission fluid.

Things didn’t improve for 2019

For 2019, Chevy added a full-display rearview camera mirror to combat the cumbersome C-pillars. Despite this, Consumer Reports still found that visibility was limited while driving the 2019 Camaro. Some critics also had problems with the car’s refreshed exterior. 

The website doesn’t list any reliability data for 2019, but the Camaro’s performance on the road is basically the same. Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro also experienced jarring transmission problems. Drivers reported that gears would shift too hard or too early. This would cause vibrations so severe that drivers thought they were hit by another vehicle.

Is the 2020 Chevy Camaro any better?

Once again, the Camaro got the lowest predicted reliability rating for this year. This is probably based on the fact that the transmission issues in other Camaros haven’t been fixed by Chevy. This model also has a low reliability rating from J.D. Power. 

Last year, the Camaro sold a lower number of units – only around 48,000. In comparison, the last-generation Camaro sold almost 73,000 units in its debut year. Because of these declining sales, many believe that the Camaro is currently in its final years.

Is it better to buy a used Chevy Camaro?

2015 Chevy Camaro models have a perfect reliability rating from Consumer Reports. However, earlier models don’t have high owner satisfaction scores. Older models also don’t offer the best driving experience, though the 7.0-liter V8 engine can still reach up to 500 hp.

A used Camaro will also be only half the price of the latest model. However, it’s important to note the majority of Camaro owners only experience minor problems. The sixth-generation Camaro may have a few issues, but it’s still worth your money. Also, despite the rumors, GM says that it doesn’t plan to discontinue the Camaro any time soon.