The Chevrolet Caprice has 35 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–2014. On average a defect was admitted 8.08 years after the car was built, the slowest took 25 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (6 campaigns). Owners also filed 523 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Chevrolet Caprice
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Fuel System, Gasoline 6 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This can result in a fuel tank leak and fire if the leaking fuel is exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Dealers will retighten the fuel tank strap fasteners
What's wrong. The engine mounted fuel feed and return pipes may fracture due to contact with the engine frame during operation
Risk. If the fuel pipe fractures, gasoline will be forced atpressure from the fuel pipes into the engine compartment, resulting in anunderhood fire if the gasoline is exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Replace the fuel feed and return pipes using new pipe assemblies
What's wrong. Plastic fuel filter assemblies may develop leaks
Risk. Fuel leaks could result in a vehicle fire due to staticcharge build ups found in the plastic fuel lines and fuel filter which may actas an ignition source
Fix. Replace plastic assembly with metal fuel filter and bracket
Exterior Lighting 4 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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
Power Train 3 Read
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured March 24, 2011, to December 6, 2013. The affected vehicles are Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV), equipped with a specific transmission selector lever that contains two pins that can become displaced. If the pins get displaced, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, And Transmission Braking Effect", and…
Risk. If the transmission can be moved from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal, unintended motion may occur increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the ignition key can be removed without the transmission being in "Park," the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and…
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin and attach a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention enhancement clip, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured March 24, 2011, to December 6, 2013. The affected vehicles are Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV), equipped with a specific transmission selector lever that contains two pins that can become displaced. If the pins get displaced, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, And Transmission Braking Effect", and…
Risk. If the transmission can be moved from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal, unintended motion may occur increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the ignition key can be removed without the transmission being in "Park," the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and…
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin and attach a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention enhancement clip, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured March 24, 2011, to December 6, 2013. The affected vehicles are Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV), equipped with a specific transmission selector lever that contains two pins that can become displaced. If the pins get displaced, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, And Transmission Braking Effect", and…
Risk. If the transmission can be moved from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal, unintended motion may occur increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the ignition key can be removed without the transmission being in "Park," the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and…
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin and attach a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention enhancement clip, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this…
Electrical System 3 Read
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on…
Wheels 3 Read
What's wrong. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly
Risk. This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification
What's wrong. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly
Risk. This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
Suspension 3 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments
What's wrong. Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen
Risk. The lower control arm ball joint can loosen, fatigue, and separate from the front suspension knuckle resulting in a loss of vehicle control
Fix. Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments
Seats 2 Read
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured August 14, 2013, to February 3, 2014, and Chevrolet SS vehicles manufactured August 15, 2013, to February 16, 2014. The affected vehicles received replacement seat base assemblies during repair service, but during the work, the seat position target bracket may not have been transferred from the old seat to the new one. Without the seat position target bracket, the air bag may deploy at a higher intensity than necessary
Risk. An air bag that deploys at a higher than intended level increases the risk of injury during a crash
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and, if necessary, install a seat frame equipped with a target bracket, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15567
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash
Risk. A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and…
Seat Belts 2 Read
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking
Risk. If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5,…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking
Risk. If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5,…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking
Risk. If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5,…
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
What's wrong. These vehicles fail to conform to fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control systems." at low temperatures, excessive friction can occur in the accelerator pedal assembly
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly
What's wrong. These vehicles fail to conform to fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control systems." at low temperatures, excessive friction can occur in the accelerator pedal assembly
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly
What's wrong. A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off)
Risk. Servo rod assembly could catch on engine components andresult in a stuck throttle with potential for a vehicle crash
Fix. Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The antilock brake system (ABS) modulator can corrode and leak fluid from the front brake circuit
Risk. Brake fluid leakage can reduce brake effectiveness and increase stopping distances
Fix. Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the ABS modulator
What's wrong. The involved vehicles may have been assembled with a brake pedal support bracket which was designed for use in diesel engine vehicles. The incorrect bracket may cause the service brakes to remain partially applied, resulting in brake overheating and reduced braking effectiveness
Fix. Dealer will inspect vehicles and, if necessary, replace the pedal support bracket at no charge to owner
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 8.08 years |
| Slowest campaign | 25 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 48.4% |
| Campaigns on record | 35 |
Which Caprice years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Visibility | |
| 2013 | Visibility | |
| 2012 | Electrical System | |
| 2011 | Electrical System | |
| 1996 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1995 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1994 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1993 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1992 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1991 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1990 | Equipment | |
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Equipment | |
| 1983 | Equipment | |
| 1982 | Equipment | |
| 1981 | Equipment |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Caprice have?
35 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–2014. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Caprice still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 8.08 years, and the slowest campaign came 25 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.