2021 Chevrolet Camaro Axle Shaft Recall (21V188)
General Motors, LLC · 8 vehicles · Reported March 18, 2021
General Motors, LLC is recalling 8 2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving. A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V188 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V188000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N212331000 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 18, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Units affected | 8 |
| Component | Power Train > Axle Assembly > Axle Shaft |
| Safety risk | A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro in recall 21V188?
The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Camaro with recall 21V188?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the axle shaft.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V188?
Recall 21V188 covers 8 vehicles: 2021 Chevrolet Camaro.
NHTSA lists 8 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Camaro |
What is the fix for the Camaro axle shaft recall?
Yes. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right axle shaft as necessary, free of charge.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212331000.
When was recall 21V188 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 21V188 to NHTSA on March 18, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2021 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V188000. |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your Camaro was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Camaro is part of recall 21V188?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V188 is open on your Camaro, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Camaro vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Camaro owners do about recall 21V188?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V188000 applies to your Camaro.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any axle shaft symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Camaro owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 10 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 21V188 was reported on March 18, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 5 of them (56%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after March 18, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 20 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 10 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Chevrolet Camaro: 20 complaints in total, 10 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11668596, filed June 23, 2025
Dealership replaced all 16 lifters and replaced camshaft. Dealerships repair took 28 days. Repair cost $4k out of my pocket and Chevrolet Corporate covered $4700 due to the know lifter issue with their engines.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11734471, filed April 29, 2026
I own a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro SS equipped with an automatic transmission. Before the recall for “Momentary Wheel Lock-Up” was performed, my vehicle began experiencing harsh shifting, harsh engagement into Drive and Reverse, and the transmission would occasionally lock up while backing up, making it feel like the brakes were suddenly applied.
2021 Chevrolet Camaro owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11747276, filed June 29, 2026
Can recall 21V188 make my Camaro a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Camaro went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Camaro been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Chevrolet Camaro recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V188
Did the recall 21V188 fix work?
Since recall 21V188 was reported on March 18, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 5 of them (56%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V188000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Camaro is part of recall 21V188000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V188000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.