Any annoying camaro problems?

[Tourney3p0]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Poor visibility—try angling your side mirrors past your "hips" in the future. Most drivers look at the rear of their car with their sideview mirrors, and that increases the size of an already sizable blind spot on the Camaro. You don't need more vertical visibility since you're not driving into the sky, so just focus on what's around you. The rearview mirror covers the entire rear window, and who cares what's happening behind you? You're driving forward!

A few weeks ago I was turning left across two lanes split by a median. Nobody was heading west (the close lane) and only one car was heading east (the far lane), so I drove out to the median and angled my car around 45 degrees in the direction I wanted to pull out while I waited for the car to pass. The median wasn't wide enough to pull go in straight, so a 45 degree angle was about the best you could do.

There was absolutely no visibility whatsoever. The lane with traffic coming toward me was completely blocked by where the rear side window should be. The side mirrors showed behind me no problem, but they did not show to the lane with oncoming traffic to right of me. Luckily I knew only one vehicle was coming, but I would have been in a terrible spot if there was more traffic.

Up until that point, I too thought the visibility problems were only for people who didn't know how to properly adjust their mirrors. Now I understand.

[qcman]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Overall very happy with my 2011 2LT ordered May 2010. Most new autos I have owned in the past have required a few tweaks early on and the Camaro no exception. Had some issues repaired early on under warranty, so not an issue with me. Understand have had my Camaro for 3-1/2 years, daily driver, still under 7,000 miles.

Issue: I have an automatic and early on noticed a lag in gear shifts mostly between 1, 2, 3 (no noticeable shift lag between 3 and higher). Transmission control monitor replaced under warranty. Seemed to improve shift lag but after a few more thousand miles shift lag became noticeable again. Took it back to dealership, they uploaded newer transmission computer software, charged me $185 for the software upgrade which I was not happy about. The slight improvement did not last very long.

I was not the only one on this board to report this issue with the auto transmission. Now, I have just given up attempting to get this transmission to shift smoother. Have to admit I have owned many new autos with auto transmissions during the last 45 years and never had an issue with any of them until this Camaro. Last Nov. sold my supercharged 1998 Riv., under 70,000 miles, transmission still shifted smooth as silk under full acceleration. Sold the Riv. to help pay for a 1966 Thunderbird conv. with 72,000 miles (49 years old). Trans did not require rebuilding when the auto was last restored in 2003. 315 hp, 427 torque, 3-speed auto transmission shifts smooth as silk under full acceleration. Have decided the newer Camaro auto transmission with low miles does not offer the smooth shifting driving experience that I had with my 1998 Riviera or my current 49 year old 1966 Thunderbird.

Modified the exhaust system last year. Love the newer rumble. However, now I not only feel the low gear shift lag, I also hear it. Sounds like I am driving a manual and I hesitate when shifting gears. FYI, I do know how to drive a manual but prefer an automatic since most of my driving is stop and go city streets.

I believe there was a TSB for the torque converter on those years for the V6... I would ask about that.

Cam

[Silent...]

A bit of unexpected news...you can fit the 21" wheel and tire in the trunk if you happen to get a flat! Yes, the opening may be odd shaped, but you can get a lot in it.

[abaucom21]

Anthoney...to answer your question "Do you have the camaro model where you can drive the automatic as a manual? If you do have you tried and see if you had better luck with gears shifting?"
Answer: Yes, I have the paddle shifters. First time I took the auto in (less than 3,000 miles?), did a test drive with the dealership transmission expert guy. Did a comprehensive test drive both on my daily 15 min. commute drive from my home to work on, same streets and traffic lights I experience daily. Using both automatic and then paddle shifter. Also tested on a long straight back road to try fast acceleration. Then we did same test drive with a brand new 2LT Camaro on the dealer lot. That was when transmission guy noted a 'flair' between my auto and the other Camaro. That resulted in the TCM being replaced under warranty.

Second time and a few years later, summer 2014 (still only about 6,000 miles and auto just a month short of the 36 month bumper-to-bumper warranty expiration date), repeated same test drive with same dealership transmission specialist. This time they did a 'software upgrade'. Charged me $185 Canadian for the software upgrade. Thought that inappropriate as auto still under warranty but did not fight it.

Must note I like my dealership, best sales experience in the last 40 years buying new autos. Until this automatic transmission issue the other minor issues covered under warranty dealt with fast and no stress. Previous minor warranty issues were a slow tire air leak, one wheel/tire not fully sealed, replaced front struts due to a 'cluck' sound when parking (found the TSB on Camaro5).

Overall, still happy with my 2011 2LT but auto trans. issue noticeable and somewhat frustrating. Seriously, at stop lights on my short daily stop n go commute, a Toyota Prious will be beat me off the line from a standing start until I hit 3rd gear then my automatic V6 takes off like a rocket and shifts smoothly from gears 3-6.

Again, sad to say my previous GM 1998 supercharged Rivera with close to 70,000 miles, pushed the pedal and no noticeable shift changes. Even sadder, my 49 year old 1966 T-Bird convertible (+70,000 miles), 3-speed automatic, 315 hp, almost 1000 pound heavier than my Camaro, Bird shifts smooth as silk and will beat my Camaro off the line.

[arkentect]

Ive had mine for 4 weeks now. The only complaint I have... The week magnet that holds the seatbelt guide down. It lets go everytime I get in the car so I have to buckle in and then contort myself to put the belt back in the guide haha.

[GMTool]

One thing I have noticed on a lot of Camaro's is the passenger door sticks out a little as shown in pic. Not all are like this. A few weeks ago I saw a Z-28 in a dealers show room and it's passenger door looked just like mine in the pic. Made me feel better.

[Anthony982149]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Anthoney...to answer your question "Do you have the camaro model where you can drive the automatic as a manual? If you do have you tried and see if you had better luck with gears shifting?"
Answer: Yes, I have the paddle shifters. First time I took the auto in (less than 3,000 miles?), did a test drive with the dealership transmission expert guy. Did a comprehensive test drive both on my daily 15 min. commute drive from my home to work on, same streets and traffic lights I experience daily. Using both automatic and then paddle shifter. Also tested on a long straight back road to try fast acceleration. Then we did same test drive with a brand new 2LT Camaro on the dealer lot. That was when transmission guy noted a 'flair' between my auto and the other Camaro. That resulted in the TCM being replaced under warranty.

Second time and a few years later, summer 2014 (still only about 6,000 miles and auto just a month short of the 36 month bumper-to-bumper warranty expiration date), repeated same test drive with same dealership transmission specialist. This time they did a 'software upgrade'. Charged me $185 Canadian for the software upgrade. Thought that inappropriate as auto still under warranty but did not fight it.

Must note I like my dealership, best sales experience in the last 40 years buying new autos. Until this automatic transmission issue the other minor issues covered under warranty dealt with fast and no stress. Previous minor warranty issues were a slow tire air leak, one wheel/tire not fully sealed, replaced front struts due to a 'cluck' sound when parking (found the TSB on Camaro5).

Overall, still happy with my 2011 2LT but auto trans. issue noticeable and somewhat frustrating. Seriously, at stop lights on my short daily stop n go commute, a Toyota Prious will be beat me off the line from a standing start until I hit 3rd gear then my automatic V6 takes off like a rocket and shifts smoothly from gears 3-6.

Again, sad to say my previous GM 1998 supercharged Rivera with close to 70,000 miles, pushed the pedal and no noticeable shift changes. Even sadder, my 49 year old 1966 T-Bird convertible (+70,000 miles), 3-speed automatic, 315 hp, almost 1000 pound heavier than my Camaro, Bird shifts smooth as silk and will beat my Camaro off the line.

Good to know. Thanks for the reply. So, when you shift with the paddle shifters it does the same thing from 1st to 3rd gear? (Sluggish)

[abaucom21]

Anthony. Sorry, do not always read thread daily so sorry if my replies are late.

Your question, "So, when you shift with the paddle shifters it does the same thing from 1st to 3rd gear? (Sluggish)". Answer Yes. Does not matter if I use Automatic, or using paddle shifter. What dealership reported is a "flair" mostly noted between shifting between gears 2 & 3. No noticeable gear "flair" from gear 3 to higher. Seriously you can see on the dash dial where the rpm's rev higher between gears 2 & 3 (in automatic or with paddle shifter) and can both hear and feel the lag time between the gears.

Repeat just not me, as the dealership transmission specialist test drove my auto with me as a passenger, twice over a period of years, and he reported the low gear "flair" each time. Replacement of the TCM (warranty) and later a transmission software upgrade (my expense!), has not resolved this issue. Remember my 2011 just turned only 7,000 miles.


If anyone questions, yes I know how to manual shift. Been driving since 1967, had more than one car with manual floor shifting. Yes, still know how to speed shift and double clutch. My daily 15 min. commute drive is in stop-n-go traffic and this automatic transmission low gear "flair" is annoying.

[Dizzy82]

Weak paint and a buzzing rattle in the dash and passanger side door. Oh, and a squeaky HVAC that won't go away.

[i007spectre]

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

Weak paint and a buzzing rattle in the dash and passanger side door. Oh, and a squeaky HVAC that won't go away.

I agree with all of these. Thank goodness for the radio otherwise all the rattles would drive me crazy.

[Jalberdi99]

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

Weak paint and a buzzing rattle in the dash and passanger side door. Oh, and a squeaky HVAC that won't go away.

Originally Posted by i007spectre

I agree with all of these. Thank goodness for the radio otherwise all the rattles would drive me crazy.

all this, but my passenger side door rattle is from the bass. i have to push it in to make the rattle stop. if i put the music high enough with heavy bass, the whole car rattles like crazy, well basically everywhere that has plastic.

[Dimitrim]

I too came from a Cobalt to a Camaro. My only complaint was handling. I swapped out the small front and rear sways for a larger set from BMR.

Now it's the perfect car. Daily driver 100 miles a day.

[ActNup NY]

Definitely hate the paint jobs on our car.. CHEAP !I Also that wezzing sound that I hear when I turn on either the heat or AC


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[Quicksilver 1LE]

I have noticed a pattern. The LT Camaros have a problem with the paint and the cars rattle. I own two Camaros, one is a 2010 IOM 2SS/RS and the other is a 2014 silver ice matallic 2SS/ RS 1LE. My '14 is much more improved over my '10 but neither one has any issue with paint or rattling parts. Could it be that the LT are made with less quality parts, or just like any man made products 1 out of 100 is just not put together properly?