Chevrolet›Camaro›2012›Overview/chevrolet/camaro/2012/base/

2012 Chevrolet Camaro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Camaro.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is a passenger car with a 6-quart 5W-30 oil specification. Across the 1990–2023 model range, this model year generated 111 owner complaints—with the electrical system ranking as the top concern—and carries 5 recalls. That figure places it well below the 295-complaint peak recorded for the 2010 model year while remaining above the 13-complaint low of the 2022 model year, marking it as neither the most troubled nor the most complaint-free entry in the Camaro’s long-term history.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Note the factory cabin air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 720 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLS P245/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12577653
Engine air filter92196275 alt 23116124
Spark plug12681660 alt 12680072
Battery88865934 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades23367644 alt 84589112
Serpentine belt12622244 alt 19208727
Thermostat89018168 alt 12582472
Cabin air filter92234714 discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3748 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Camaro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.8–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.80 sec — 2012 ZL1 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012ZL1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.80 sec12.10 sec580 hpRWD
2012ZL1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V83.90 sec12.10 sec580 hpRWD
2012ZL1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V84.00 sec12.30 sec580 hpRWD
2012ZL1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V84.10 sec12.30 sec580 hpRWD
2012ZL1 Coupe 6.2L Supercharger V84.70 sec12.90 sec580 hpRWD
2012RS 45th Anniversary Convertible 3.6L V66.60 sec14.90 sec323 hpRWD
20112SS RS Convertible 6.2L V84.70 sec13.20 sec426 hpRWD
20112SS RS Convertible 6.2L V84.80 sec13.10 sec426 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, ONLY USE DEXRON in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilONLY USE DEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-226 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO LFX
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 1.259 in / 0.906 in / 1.338 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 1.259 in / 0.906 in / 1.338 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
130, STEP 290 DEGREES
Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 111 ft. lbs, step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230111 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 3415–22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 97,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro marks a notable improvement in reliability within its fifth generation, particularly when viewed in the context of the surrounding model years. Complaints dropped sharply from 295 in 2010 and 194 in 2011 to just 111 in 2012, while recalls increased modestly to 5—though this was accompanied by the generation’s only investigation that year, signaling targeted scrutiny rather than widespread issues. The trend suggests GM addressed early production hiccups by 2012, as subsequent years (2013–2015) saw complaints rise again to 187–205 before gradually declining. The 2012 model’s top complaint areas—Electrical System, Air Bags, and Engine—reflect common teething problems for the generation, but the lower overall volume implies better initial build quality. With only 10 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports, the data doesn’t indicate systemic safety risks. **Takeaway: The 2012 Camaro is one of the stronger years to buy in this generation, offering a balance of lower complaints and resolved early defects.**

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1893
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
111
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 111 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System14
Air Bags14
Engine14
Power Train9
Visibility/Wiper6
Power Train,Engine4
Service Brakes3
Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19E064000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 19/09/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies sold as replacement equipment for 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. GM dealers may have inadvertently sold these… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the key with the flat blade design, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk…

14V346000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 20/06/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2010-2014 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 3, 2008 to May 23, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and provide two new keys and two key rings per key. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1893 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camaro. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R batteryVehicles taking 6 qtEngine oil filter 12690386Engine air filter 92196275Spark plug 12681660Battery 88865934

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Camaro take?

6 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Camaro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.