Quick take
The 2016 Camaro is the first year of the sixth generation. It is lighter and sharper than the car it replaced, and a clean one is a fun, usable performance coupe. It suits buyers who want modern rear-drive handling at a used-car price and are willing to do homework on a first-year car.
Three things to verify before you buy. First, how the automatic transmission behaves, because power train is the top complaint area for this year. Second, whether the trunk area stays dry, since owners describe water reaching the rear electrical components. Third, how the car has been used and modified, because a 2016 SS or a turbo car that has seen track days or a tune is a different buy than a stock commuter.
What changed for 2016
This was an all-new Camaro. It rode on a new platform and was smaller and lighter than the fifth-generation car. The lineup included a turbocharged four-cylinder, a V6 and the V8-powered SS, with coupe and convertible bodies. Buyers could choose a manual or an automatic gearbox depending on the version.
Because it was the debut year, the 2016 car had the least time to get production fixes. Later cars in this generation carried more updates, and Chevrolet gave the line a facelift for 2019. That makes 2016 the year where the history of the individual car, and what has already been repaired, matters most.
The ZL1 was not part of the 2016 lineup, so you will see SS cars at the top of the range for this year. Do not assume a seller's "SS" or "1LE" claim is correct. Check the build sheet details and the VIN-based options with a dealer or an inspector.
Known trouble spots to check
NHTSA has 141 complaints on file for the 2016 Camaro, with three crashes, four fires and one injury reported. These systems sit at the top.
Power train (48 complaints). This is the biggest group by a wide margin. Owners describe jerky or harsh shifts, a shudder or vibration at steady speeds, the engine revving without matching acceleration, and a gearbox that jumps gears. Several say a shop pointed to the torque converter, and some report a full transmission replacement. A few mention the transmission temperature sensor and limp mode. Some owners say the problem began soon after purchase. Others mention a GM service program and say their car's VIN was not covered. Treat all of this as a pattern to test for, not a statement about any one car.
How to check: drive at a steady city to highway speeds on a smooth road and feel for vibration through the seat and wheel. Do gentle throttle changes, then a firm pull. Let the car shift through all its gears when warm, and when cold. Watch for flare, bangs or a long pause when selecting drive or reverse. On a manual car, check clutch bite point, slipping under load and any shudder when pulling away.
Electrical system (31 complaints). Many reports describe water in the trunk, reaching the rear fuse block, the amplifier and other parts, leading to failing screens, lights and sometimes a car that will not start. Others mention a draining battery and a blind spot warning that stopped working. One owner traced a burning smell to the starter area. A shift-to-park message that appears when the car is already in park also turns up.
How to check: lift the trunk carpet and look at the floor and battery area for water, stains, rust, or fresh corrosion. Check every screen, light and button, and the blind spot indicators. Ask whether any rear electrical parts have been replaced and why.
Engine (22 complaints) and steering (22 complaints). The engine reports include hard starting, power loss, a no-start condition and one report of a seized engine at around 66,000 miles on an SS. The steering reports mostly describe a sudden loss of electric power assist, often with a dash message, and owners say their VINs were outside the recall coverage they found.
How to check: start the car cold and listen to it settle. Pull a scan for stored codes if possible. Turn the wheel lock to lock at low speed, in a parking lot, several times, and watch for a steering warning message.
Other items from the complaint list: windshield fogging with the air conditioning on, rear glass separating on convertibles, rear brake and electronic parking brake faults, and cracked wheels.
General checks for a car like this:
- Convertible: inspect the rear glass bond and the top operation, up and down several times.
- Wheels: look for cracks, bends and curb damage, especially on larger optional wheels.
- Brakes: check pad and rotor wear, and test the parking brake release.
- Cooling: check coolant level, hose condition and any signs of leaks.
- Rear differential and axle: listen for whine or clunk on turns.
- Underbody: look for scrapes from track use or low-car damage.
Recalls on a car this age
The data lists one recall for the 2016 Camaro. It covers certain 2016 Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and Sierra vehicles, and it is about the radio's software. In affected vehicles the audio warning may not sound when the key is left in the ignition with the door open, or when the driver has not buckled up. It is a compliance issue with two federal safety standards. Because it only applies to "certain" vehicles, you need the VIN to know whether a given car is included.
Owner complaints also mention steering and transmission-related campaigns. Those are not listed as recalls for this year in our data, and some owners say their cars were left out of them, so do not assume either way. Recall repairs are free at a Chevrolet dealer, no matter how many owners the car has had. Run the VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup, and ask a dealer to check for open service bulletins and customer satisfaction programs too.
Test-drive checklist
- Start the car cold. Listen for rough idle, rattles, ticks or a slow crank, and check for dash warnings.
- Drive at a steady city to highway speeds and feel for shudder or vibration that comes and goes with speed.
- Select drive, then reverse, from a stop. Note any delay, bang or jerk.
- Do several parking-lot turns lock to lock and watch for a steering message or sudden heaviness.
- Brake hard from highway speed in a safe place. The car should stay straight with no pedal pulsation or grinding.
- Let it get fully warm, then check the temperature gauge, fan operation and any odd smell.
- Run the air conditioning and defrost. Check how quickly the windshield fogs.
- Look at tires for uneven wear, which can point to alignment, suspension or hard driving. Mismatched brands on a performance car suggest cutting corners.
Before you hand over money
Run the VIN for recalls, get a vehicle history report to look for accidents and title problems, and pay an independent mechanic who knows rear-drive performance cars to inspect it. Ask for a transmission scan and a look at the trunk electrical area.
For any car that looks modified, ask these questions and get the answers in writing:
- What has been changed, and who installed it?
- Is there an engine or transmission tune, and can the stock tune be restored?
- Has the car been used on a track, and how often?
- Were the original parts kept?
- What is the date of the last fluid service for the transmission, differential and brakes?
Be wary of a seller who cannot answer, and of aftermarket lighting or audio wiring done in the trunk area. Then use the payment calculator to see the monthly cost including tax, fees and interest. You can also compare this year with the 2017 report and the overview.
Is it the right car for you?
It fits enthusiasts who want a modern, capable rear-drive coupe and will pay for a pre-purchase inspection. The V6 and turbo cars are less expensive to run than an SS in general, though no version is a low-cost car to fix if the transmission needs work. Look elsewhere if you need good rear visibility and easy cargo space, if you want a car with no first-year quirks, or if you are not prepared for the chance of a transmission repair on an older automatic car.
Bottom line
A well-kept 2016 Camaro can be a very good performance buy, but this first-year car deserves a careful look. Test the automatic transmission, check the trunk for water, verify the VIN for recalls, and be direct with the seller about modifications and track use.