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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

What owners actually said

146 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS VALVE ROTTED OUT, CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877020

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Visibility

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735026

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Tires

GENERAL RADIAL RIGHT REAR TIRE P215/75R15 DOT A3HFBBH054 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE AND WHEN INSPECTED TIRE ALSO FOUND IT WAS STILL INFLATED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #872439

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 · Aug 25, 2000
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW USING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLLER AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE WINDOW HAD TWISTED AND WAS OFF IT'S TRACK. THE WINDOW WAS TWISTED SO MUCH THAT THE UNDER LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDOW WAS TOUCHING THE OUTER DOOR SKIN, AND EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT A BUM…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW USING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLLER AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE WINDOW HAD TWISTED AND WAS OFF IT'S TRACK. THE WINDOW WAS TWISTED SO MUCH THAT THE UNDER LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDOW WAS TOUCHING THE OUTER DOOR SKIN, AND EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE WINDOW WOULD STRIKE THE DOOR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW WAS GOING TO SHATTER SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES OF PUSHING AND PULLING ON THE WINDOW I FINALLY GOT IT BACK IN THE TRACK AND WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THAT WINDOW GUIDE ALSO FAILED. I AGAIN HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WINDOW SHATTERED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER ONE YEAR AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS BEFORE. I CONTACTED A AUTOMOTIVE GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND STARTED TELLING HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND HE STOPPED ME AND SAID "LET ME GUESS YOU HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA OR CAPRICE" AFTER I TOLD HIM THAT YES I DID IN FACT HAVE A CAPRICE HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $100 PER DOOR TO FIX, BUT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, THE PART COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME, IT IS A PLASTIC KNUCKLE THAT HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE. THE REASON I AM WRITING THIS IS BECAUSE THE SIDE WINDOWS COULD HAVE BROKE AND SENT GLASS FLYING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSE A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 6 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN CAPRICE'S ON-DUTY AND KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL IN USE AS TAXI CABS AND PATROL CARS IN THE UNTIED STATES AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #728989

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Tires

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, HALF OF THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE PEELED OFF. ENTIRE TREAD PEELED OFF THE LEFT RIGHT TIRE 3 DAYS BEFORE. TIRE SIZE P225/75R15 AND DOT # HYHHF6A096, HYHHF6A535. TIRES WERE ON A 1994, CHEVROLET CAPRICE. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 34,000. T…

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TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, HALF OF THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE PEELED OFF. ENTIRE TREAD PEELED OFF THE LEFT RIGHT TIRE 3 DAYS BEFORE. TIRE SIZE P225/75R15 AND DOT # HYHHF6A096, HYHHF6A535. TIRES WERE ON A 1994, CHEVROLET CAPRICE. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 34,000. TIRES WERE TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK AT FIRST, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL. HALF OF THE SECOND TIRES TREAD CAME OFF TOO. BOTH TIRES WERE MADE BY FIRESTONE. THE CUSTOMER WAS ASKING REIMBURSMENT FOR COST OF REPLACEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *YH

NHTSA ODI #868438

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY/DEFECTIVE. IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT LESS THEN 28,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #866211

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK . THE CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE ANDTHE VEHICLE WAS STILL GOING. CONSUMER GOT THE SPEED DOWN TO TWENTY, AND SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #864919

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND THEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860206

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2000
Power Train

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE DUE TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859047

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