1991 Chevrolet Caprice

Routine

Owners filed 131 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 10 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip19
402
Vehicle Speed Control18
1305
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly11
000
Electrical System › Horn6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components5
001
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Seats3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
010

10 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Equipment07E088000
Filed Oct 24, 2007121,680 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Suspension › Rear96V020000
Filed Jan 31, 1996154,214 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE SEVERE DUTY CYCLE OF THESE VEHICLES AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers93V018000
Filed Feb 9, 199320,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEQ 9C1 POLICE CARS IN CORROSION AREAS OF THE US AND CANADA ONLY. NOTE: VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEWJERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. A ELECTRICAL GROUND-OUT CONDITION MAY EXIST BETWEEN THE 12 VOLT JUNCTION BLOCK AND THE METAL INNER FENDER SKIRT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A MELTED JUNCTION BLOCK, SMOKE,AND BURNED UNDERHOOD WIRING RESULTING IN A DISABLED VEHICLE OR A VEHICLE FIRE.THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION OR WHILE THE VEHICLEIS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS IN THE "OFF" POSITION.

Remedy. INSTALL A SHIELDING INSULATOR UNDER THE JUNCTION BLOCK.

Seat Belts92V094000
Filed Jul 1, 1992219,571 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE EXPOSED STEELSUB-PLATE CAN CUT THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING RESULTING IN INCREASED POSSIBILITYAND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THE AFFECTED SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

Wheels92V089000
Filed Jun 24, 199234,717 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE STEEL WHEELS EXHIBIT FATIGUE CRACKING AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WHEEL LUG NUT MOUNTING SURFACE DUE TO WHEEL BENDING CAUSED BY FREQUENT MISUSE OF TIRE MOUNTING EQUIPMENT, LUG NUT OVERTORQUING, AND THE UNUSUAL OPERATING CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED BY POLICE VEHICLES.

Risk. THE CRACKING CAN CAUSE WHEEL FRACTURING AND SUBSEQUENTSEPARATION FROM THE AXLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WITH REDESIGNED STEEL WHEELS.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch91V186000
Filed Oct 29, 1991224,588 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.

Risk. IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, ANDTHE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN AND CONTACT THEWINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OFTHE DRIVER AND RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 12, 2017PA

CPSC: THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL HORN BUTTONS ON THE 91-93 CHEVY CAPRICE, HORN BUTTONS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DON'T WORK! *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2013100,000 milesNC

I AM TIRED OF PASSING VEHICLES ON A TWO LANE BLACKTOP IN THE RAIN THAT HAVE HEADLIGHTS BADLY POSITIONED OR TOO BRIGHT. ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSE TO TEST NEW VEHICLES FOR COMPLIANCE. ALL THIS NEW STUFF ONLY HELPS THAT VEHICLES DRIVER AND BLINDS THE REST OF US. ALSO YOU SHOULD MAKE THESE VEHICLES WITH TRUCK SIZE TIRES THAT SIT THREE FEET OFF THE GROUND ILLEGAL. THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL LARGE VEHICLES THAT HAVE AN OTHERWISE GOOD SAFETY RATING IN SERIOUS CRASHES. TWENTY TWO INCH BLINGS KILL! *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 13, 2010KY

1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING IT HOME. HE FURTHER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AND HE STOPPED TO LET IT COOL DOWN PRIOR TO THE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0151-90) *JB UPDATED 05/13/10 *BF

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 27, 2009167 milesOH

WHITE SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE EX SYSTEM. I RECENTLY HAD A OIL CHANGE AND TUNE-UP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 6, 200748,000 milesNH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE MADE A TAPPING NOISE. AFTER CHECKING THE OIL, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CREAM COLORED FOAM ON THE GAUGE STICK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS NOT POSITIONED PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. AFTER CHANGING THE TYPE OF FUEL HE PUT IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 13, 200763,000 milesAL

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A LOUD ROAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUILDING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN . THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *AK ALABAMA INCIDENT REPORT PROVIDED. UPDATED 08/03/07 *TR

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Jul 9, 2005300,000 milesCA

MY CAPRICE CLASSIC WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN MOVED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. AFTER AN HOUR FROM MY CAR BEING MOVED, MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DASH WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE THAT MY CAR WAS EVEN ON FIRE FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD KID. I QUICKLY TRIED TO PUT IT OUT AND DID SO. BY THE TIME IT HAD DIED OUT AND THE SMOKE WAS GONE, THE ENTIRE MIDDLE AND PARTIAL LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH HAD MELTED TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND NOTHING WAS LEFT ON. MY CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF. MY MOTHER HAD BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER NEW AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HER. NO MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO IT AND EVERYTHING IS ORIGINAL FROM THE MAKER/DEALER/CCHEVROLET. I NOTICED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN MADE REGARDING CARS CATCHING ON FIRE FREOM A SHORT. WHY WASN'T MY MOTHER MADE AWARE OF THIS IN ORDER TO CORRECT YOUR PROBLEM BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED? PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. SINCERLY, KATHLEEN BAGLEY KKB PENDING CONTACT.... 07/08/05...

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 31, 2004FL

CONSUMER PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN VEHICLE HESITATED. BUT WHEN LETTING UP ON THE GAS VEHICLE ZOOMED FORWARD. CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.*AK

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Jul 23, 2004MA

1) A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGH FROM A SIDE STREET AND CUT ME OFF. I ATTEMPTED TO USE MY HORN BUT THE AREAS ONE MUST PRESS ARE SO SMALL AND SPECIFIC THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO QUICKLY LOCATE THE SPOT. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE BUT THIS INCIDNET REMINDED ME THERE THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE HORN LOCATION. 2) DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY LOCATING THE HORN I HAVE BEEN UNABLE, IN THIS INSTANCE AND MANY PREVIOUSLY, TO ALERT OTHER MOTORISTS OF MY PRESENCE. 3) I HAVE NOT YET VISITED A CHEVROLET DEALER BUT INTEND TO .*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed May 20, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 15, 2004CA

1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC/AUTO ACCIDENT/ AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Oct 29, 2003154,000 milesTN

PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. CONSUMER HAS TO USE THE MIDDLE BUCKLE TO FASTEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Sep 9, 2003CA

THE DRIVER HAD TO MANUALLY ADJUST THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ,AND HAD NO INTERIOR LIGHTING DUE TO A FUSE THAT BLEW OUT. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 24, 2003AZ

CONSUMER STATES THAT GAS TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 17, 2003153,054 milesOH

PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. TANK IS MANUFACTURED WITH TWO CONE SHAPED DEPRESSIONS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. STRAPS HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE. THESE STRAPS ALMOST COVER THESE DEPRESSIONS, THE TANK LEAKS AT THE DEPRESSION ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ALLOWING FUEL TO ESCAPE. CONTACTED GM, FILE NUMBER 1-109-911-920, BUT WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME SINCE INSUFFICIENT COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED TO DATE. *JB

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Oct 6, 2002FL

PAINT PEELING ON VEHICLE. MR

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Aug 28, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES HORN IS INOPERATIVE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. *TT

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 20, 2002CA

DURING FRONTAL COLLISION THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK THERE WERE 2INJURIES.*NLM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 8, 2002GA

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL BECAUSE THE PLASTIC TANK IS SEPARATING FROM SEAM. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK. ALSO THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED.*JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 4, 2002CT

WHILE DRIVING STEEL BELTS ON RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. CONSUMER STATED SAME THING HAPPENED A YEAR AGO ON LEFT REAR TIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO GET TWO ESTIMATES ON DAMAGE. ALSO, DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TIRE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. TIRE SIZE P20575R15,DOT# ACULA2250K. *AK *YH

20 of 131 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201412300Routine
20136410Routine
20120300Routine
20111300Routine
20031000Routine
19973010Routine
199665801Fatalities reported
1995881100Routine
19941461080Routine
199361642Fatalities reported
1992891110Routine
1991 — this page1311030Routine
19906200Routine

Compare every Caprice year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.