Chevrolet Caprice Reliability
904 NHTSA complaints (1983–2014). Complaint rate: 2397.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1991–1996 Chevrolet Caprice (95 crash-related complaints). The 2013 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Chevrolet Caprice Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 73 | 15.1% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 52 | 48.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 34 | 0.0% |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 28 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 27 | 7.4% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 25 | 88.0% |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 22 | 4.5% |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 21 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 21 | 9.5% |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 20 | 5.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | 4 | View → |
| 1984GOOD | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | View → |
| 1985GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1986AVOID | — | 41 | 1 | 2 | View → |
| 1987 | — | 20 | 0 | 4 | View → |
| 1988 | — | 16 | 0 | 1 | View → |
| 1989 | — | 19 | 2 | 2 | View → |
| 1990GOOD | — | 6 | 1 | — | View → |
| 1991AVOID | — | 170 | 30 | 3 | View → |
| 1992AVOID | — | 133 | 26 | 1 | View → |
| 1993AVOID | — | 63 | 9 | 4 | View → |
| 1994AVOID | — | 185 | 17 | 11 | View → |
| 1995AVOID | — | 111 | 12 | — | View → |
| 1996AVOID | — | 87 | 1 | — | View → |
| 1997GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | View → |
| 2011GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2013GOOD | — | 9 | 0 | 2 | View → |
| 2014 | — | 14 | 0 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Chevrolet Capriceaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Chevrolet Caprice?
Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.
Check VIN Free