1983 Chevrolet Caprice Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1983 Chevrolet Caprice, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine337.5%
- Electrical225.0%
- Body & structure112.5%
- Other / unspecified112.5%
- Visibility112.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAKED OIL ON EXHAUST CAUSING FIRE. REQUIRED 10 # DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT FIRE. VERY DIFFICULT TO EXTINGUISH.*AK
HAD CHANGED FROM GAS ENGINE TO DIESEL. THIS CAUSED THE CRANKSHAFT TO CRACK AND BREAK. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CATCHING FIRE. *AK
VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TWICE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PLASTIC HVAC UNIT MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL IS POORLY DESIGN WHICH ALLOWED A FIRE TO SPREAD INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DIRECTLY THROUGH THE PLASTIC HVAC UNIT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC LUGGAGE HAS LIMITED STRENGTH, THEREFORE WILL NOT HOLD UP UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIBERGLASS BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM, CAUSING SEVERE IRRITATION (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .