The most-reported Caprice run is 1G1BL52W5RR (1994 builds) with 8 complaints, 5× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 21% of reports; 1994 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns for Caprice model years 1981–2014.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Caprice has 319 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Caprice complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G1BL52W5RR•••••• | 1994 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G1BL52W9RR•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1BL52W2RR•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1BN53E5MW•••••• | 1991 | 2 | — | |
| 1G1BL52W1SR•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G1BL52W6SR•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1BL82P2RR•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1BL52P7TR•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G1BL52W8RR•••••• | 1994 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G1BL53E6MW•••••• | 1991 | 4 | — | |
| 1G1BL82P3RR•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1BL82P0RR•••••• | 1994 | — | — |
Each of the other 307 Caprice runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 20 Caprice VINs so far, most often 1996, 1995, 1994 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Caprice the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 1994 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 1983 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 51 | 30 | — | |
| 1995 | 65 | 34 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 124 | 54 | 11 | |
| 1993 | 50 | 38 | 7 | |
| 1992 | 70 | 52 | 12 | |
| 1991 | 98 | 58 | 22 | |
| 1990 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 12 | 11 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 | — | |
| 1986 | 22 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1994 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1983 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Chevrolet Caprice owners report: Service Brakes, 97 of 523 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 13 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 13 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 7 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 25 | — | |
| Suspension | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 4 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 4 | |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 35 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Caprice; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1996. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 07E088000 | Equipment | 1981–1993 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1991–1996 |
| 06E065000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1996 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1996 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1996 |
| 96V020000 | Suspension:rear | 1991–1996 |
How serious were they
Of the 523 reports on the Chevrolet Caprice, 12% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Caprice | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 523 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 63 (12%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 16 (3.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 50 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 107% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Caprice share of that is 523 complaints over 319 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Caprice VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 523 NHTSA complaints from 319 Caprice runs and 35 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Caprice production run has the most complaints?
1G1BL52W5RR, a 1994 build, with 8 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Caprice run has 1.6.
Which Caprice years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1994 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 1983 lightest at 1.
How many Caprice complaints involve a crash?
12% of 523 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 16 involved a fire.
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