Illustration1991 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
1991 Chevrolet Caprice
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caprice years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 131 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
12 reportsWHITE SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE EX SYSTEM. I RECENTLY HAD A OIL CHANGE AND TUNE-UP. *TR
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…
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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.
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
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL BECAUSE THE PLASTIC TANK IS SEPARATING FROM SEAM. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK. ALSO THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED.*JB
DRIVING 55MPH, DOWN HILL ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. TOOK TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED CAM DISTRIBUTOR BROKE. IT HAD INTERFERED WITH THE ROTORS & THE SHAFT. NOT DRIVABLE & HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
THE MAIN RODS & BEARINGS INSIDE THE MOTOR ARE RATTLING. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTING UP. IT'S REAL LOUD IN BEGINNING,BUT AFTER A WHILE WOULD BE TONED DOWN. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK
MUFFLER TAIL PIPE FAILED.
SOLENOID VALVE RELAY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD RESULTING IN COLLISION. YH
THERMOSTAT FAILED.
Official recalls
596V020000 · Suspension:rear
Jan 31, 1996
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
93V018000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Feb 9, 1993
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
92V094000 · Seat Belts
Jul 1, 1992
THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
92V089000 · Wheels
Jun 24, 1992
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
91V186000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Oct 29, 1991
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4PE93098 · Lwr Ball Joint Assem.fails
Opened Nov 30, 1993 · Closed Mar 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE92079 · R Seat Belt Webbing Length
Opened Sep 9, 1992 · Closed Jan 19, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
There is no summary currently available
PE92051 · Steel Wheel Failures
Opened Jun 4, 1992 · Closed Jul 2, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE92033 · Fuel Tank Leakage
Opened Mar 26, 1992 · Closed Jul 31, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available