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1994 Chevrolet Caprice

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 9 of 146 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.

13 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2009
Electrical System

GM HAS PUT THE PROBLEM UNDER TSB 94-C-59 OR 94V049 IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST REGARDLESS OF AGE, OWNERSHIP, OR MILEAGE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT FALL UNDER A RECALL LISTING. THE CAR CONSTANTLY STALLS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I AM UNABLE TO USE ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES ON THE CAR…

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GM HAS PUT THE PROBLEM UNDER TSB 94-C-59 OR 94V049 IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST REGARDLESS OF AGE, OWNERSHIP, OR MILEAGE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT FALL UNDER A RECALL LISTING. THE CAR CONSTANTLY STALLS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I AM UNABLE TO USE ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES ON THE CAR INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS OR IT IMMEDIATELY STALLS. AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE PARTS REPLACED DESCRIBED IN 94-C-59. I WILL TRY TO SEE IF I CAN KEEP THE OLD PARTS. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR COULD RESULT IN CRASH, FIRE, OF FAILURE OF CAR TO START. GM HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR HONOR THEIR OWN OFFICIAL STATEMENTS. I HAVE PAID FOR THE NEW PARTS AND LABOR INVOLVED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT THE RECEIPTS AND COPIES OF TSB 94-C-59 FOR RECORD.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10286940

99,000 miles · Mar 21, 2007
Electrical System

DIGITAL DASH SPEEDOMETER GOES AWAY, DOES NOT SHOW SPEED OF TRAVEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS OPPERATOR DOES NOT KNOW THE RATE OF SPEED BEING TRAVELED. I HAVE REPLACED THE UNIT ONCE BEFORE AT 99,000 MILES WITH A RECONDITIONED UNIT AT A COST OF $300.00. RECENTLY AT 140,000 MILES THIS UNIT HAS FAILED ALSO. THIS RECONDITIONED UNIT IS THE OR…

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DIGITAL DASH SPEEDOMETER GOES AWAY, DOES NOT SHOW SPEED OF TRAVEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS OPPERATOR DOES NOT KNOW THE RATE OF SPEED BEING TRAVELED. I HAVE REPLACED THE UNIT ONCE BEFORE AT 99,000 MILES WITH A RECONDITIONED UNIT AT A COST OF $300.00. RECENTLY AT 140,000 MILES THIS UNIT HAS FAILED ALSO. THIS RECONDITIONED UNIT IS THE ORIGIONAL UNIT FROM THE CAR THAT HAD BEEN SENT IN FOR REPAIR THE FIRST TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185873

62,000 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT: CABLE FROM BATTERY TO JUNCTION BOX OVERHEATED AND STARTED A FIRE. IT MELTED THE STUD THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CONNECTED TO, THE JUNCTION BOX AND THE AREA AROUND THE JUNCTION BOX. CALLER WAS AT A CAR WASH AND THE ATTENDENT SAW SMOKE AND ALERTED CONSUMER. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO D…

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DT: CABLE FROM BATTERY TO JUNCTION BOX OVERHEATED AND STARTED A FIRE. IT MELTED THE STUD THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CONNECTED TO, THE JUNCTION BOX AND THE AREA AROUND THE JUNCTION BOX. CALLER WAS AT A CAR WASH AND THE ATTENDENT SAW SMOKE AND ALERTED CONSUMER. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NO RECALL. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130785

94,600 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Electrical System

DT: GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO HONOR A RECALL 94-C-59 ON 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. CAR OVERHEATED IN THE ELECTRICAL CENTER, THE COVER MELTED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING H…

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DT: GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO HONOR A RECALL 94-C-59 ON 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. CAR OVERHEATED IN THE ELECTRICAL CENTER, THE COVER MELTED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING HAS BEEN MANIPULATED IN SOME WAY. THE CAR WILL START BACK THEN. GENERAL MOTORS SAID CAR WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. THEY SAY THIS RECALL IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WITH 2 REPRESENTATIVES A GM. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE THE AND HE SAID THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 12-15 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130406

91,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Electrical System

VEHICLE PURCAHSED USED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, EVEN HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM EXPERIENCED AGAIN. MECHANIC FOUND "BATTERY STUD" LOCATED AT "ELECTRICAL CENTER" WAS LOOSE. HE "PATCHED" IT UP. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH "ALLDATA" THAT THIS WAS A PROBL…

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VEHICLE PURCAHSED USED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, EVEN HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM EXPERIENCED AGAIN. MECHANIC FOUND "BATTERY STUD" LOCATED AT "ELECTRICAL CENTER" WAS LOOSE. HE "PATCHED" IT UP. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH "ALLDATA" THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM INDENTIFIED IN "CAMPAIGN 94-C-59" & A RECALL WAS ORDERED. CHEVROLET CLAIMS THERE ARE "NO OPEN RECALLS" FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10119427

84,000 miles · Aug 6, 2004
Electrical System

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION OVERHEATING AT THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL CENTER STUD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE PLASTIC COVER, T PLASTIC STUD HOUSING, AND/OR THE STUD ITSELF MELTED. THERE WAS GENERAL RECALL 94C59 FOR THE ELECTRICAL CENTER BATTERY STUD. THE VIN NUMBER WAS WITHIN THE …

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VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION OVERHEATING AT THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL CENTER STUD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE PLASTIC COVER, T PLASTIC STUD HOUSING, AND/OR THE STUD ITSELF MELTED. THERE WAS GENERAL RECALL 94C59 FOR THE ELECTRICAL CENTER BATTERY STUD. THE VIN NUMBER WAS WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, INDICATING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A POLICE CAR, TAXI , OR A SPECIAL SERVICE WAGON.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087344

86,804 miles · Apr 20, 2003
Electrical System

FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WIRE CONNECTED TO FUEL PUMP MELTED BARE. WIRE CONNECTOR MELTED ONTO FUEL PUMP. WIRE HARNESS MELTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016228

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, BATTERY GAUGE GOES DOWN. CONNECTOR TO FUSE PANEL UP AGAINST FIREWALL HAS MELTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8009438

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2000
Electrical System

CONSUMER IS BEING REFUSED RECALL 94V049, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MANY PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS RECALL RELATED COMPONENT: SUDDEN AND INCREASING CHARGING SYSTEM DISCHARGE, INTERMITTENT STARTER MALFUNCTION, PERIODIC OVERHEATING, AND MELTING AT THE CENTER STUD OF THE BATTER JUNCTION BOX, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555855

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Electrical System

HORN ASSEMBLY IS HARD TO USE, AND DOSEN'T WORK WHEN NEEDED. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED..SAFETY HAZARD ,MANY MORE WILL REPORT IN DUE TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719241

Official recalls

6

96V020000 · 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.

96V019000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Jan 30, 1996

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT LOOSENS, FATIGUES AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.

95V082000 · Vehicle Speed Control:springs

Apr 24, 1995

THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS." AT LOW TEMPERATURES, EXCESSIVE FRICTION CAN OCCUR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE OF THE TROTTLE RETURN SPRING, IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE FRICTION IN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

94V210000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Oct 25, 1994

THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL TANK LEAK AND FIRE IF THE LEAKING FUEL IS EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.

94V076000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Apr 16, 1994

PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ONCE CLAMP LOAD IS LOST, ALL TIRE LOADS ARE TAKEN BY THE WHEEL STUDS RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLES CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALSO, THE WHEEL STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND WILL BE REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

94V049000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Mar 21, 1994

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE OIL LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: Not supplied

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

4

EA99003 · Coolant Fires

Opened Jan 13, 1999 · Closed Aug 17, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available

PE98049 · Coolant Fires

Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Jan 13, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available

EA96022 · Steering Wheel Breakage

Opened Sep 24, 1996 · Closed Apr 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE96037 · Sterring Wheel Breakage

Opened May 16, 1996 · Closed Sep 24, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available