Chevrolet

Caprice

Large Cars · model years 1984 to 1993

Includes Caprice and Caprice Wagon as listed by the EPA.

See all 45 Caprice trims All Chevrolet cars

The verdict

Best year: 1990. complaints: 6, below this model's typical 56; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 1991. complaints: 131, about 3.1x this model's typical 42; recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Chevrolet Caprice
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1984	3Diesel, Gas	16	$4,450	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	3Diesel, Gas	16	$4,200	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	7Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	6Gas	17.5	$3,825	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	4Gas	17.5	$3,825	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	4Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	4Gas	18	$3,450	1	6	SEAT BELTS 33%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 56 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 88 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	3Gas	17	$3,650	5	131	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 20%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 131, about 3.1x this model's typical 42 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 2 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	5Gas	18	$3,450	6	89	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, AIR BAGS 12%
complaints: 89, above this model's typical 70 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 20 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 27 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	6Gas	17.5	$3,550	1	61	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 21%, SUSPENSION 10%
complaints: 61, below this model's typical 84 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 16 to 1993: 17.5

Owner complaints1990: 6 to 1993: 61

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Chevrolet Caprice to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.