RoadVitals

1985 Chevrolet Caprice

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jan 25, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, electrical and fuel system categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels360.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V102000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jun 16, 1989
1,755,897 units potentially affected
The defect: 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).
The risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE88027ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE

Opened Feb 9, 1988
Closed May 11, 1988

===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA88019ClosedEngineering Analysis

HYDRO BOOST

Opened Jan 28, 1988
Closed Oct 31, 1990

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE87038ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDROBOOST FAILURE

Opened Jul 9, 1987
Closed Jan 28, 1988

SUBJECT VEHICLES:CAPRICE, CAPRICE CLASSIC, CUSTOM CRUISER, DEVILLE,ELECTRA, ESTATE WAGON, FLEETWOOD, LESABRE, NINETY-EIGHT, PARISIENNE,PARK AVENUE.(ALL 1984-86 GM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDROBOOST II SYSTEMS)ANALYSIS:CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE SEVERAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE POWERSTEERING AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEMS OF THESE VEHICLES.THESE PROBLEMSINCLUDE: POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS, POWER BRAKE FLUID LOSS, LEAKAGE FROMTHE HYDRO-BOOST II POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, BROKEN BOOSTER SEALS, AND MASTERCYLINDER FAILURE.ALL PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE HYDRO-BOOST IIPOWER ASSIST SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE WORKING FLUID PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO BOKE BOOSTER.THE EFFECT OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE A LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND/OR BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.STATUS:THE VOLUMINOUS AMOUNT OF DATA SUPPLIED BY GM IS PRESENTLY BEING CODED BY A CONTRACTOR AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 12/30/87. GM DATA INDICATED A 50% WEIBULL DISTRIBUTION FAILURE AT 50K MILES FOR THE PISTON PUSH-ROD SEAL. THIS PE LOOKS TO HAVE AN EXTRODINARILY HIGH FREQUENCY, ALTHOUGH THE SEVERITY APEARS TO BE LOW.SHOULD BE INTERESTING DISCUSSING THIS FOR UPGRADE/CLOSURE.===

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 25, 2001

CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND GENERAL AMERIWAY XT TIRE, P205/70R15, HAD A 9 INCH LONG AND 4 INCH WIDE STRIP OF TREAD MISSING FROM TIRE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
879017
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 2, 2000

THE LEFT REAR FIRESTONE FR721, SIZE 225/70 R15, DOT HYUUF75084, TIRE SEPARATED COMPLETELY AT THE TREAD, CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE 2 OTHER FAULTY TIRES ON VEHICLE, FIRESTONE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED TO INSPECT THE SEPARATED TIRE, CONSUMER YET TO COMPLY WITH FIRESTONE DEALER. *TT

NHTSA ID
555457
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 21, 2000

PE00020; TIRES BOUGHT FROM A FIRESTONE STORE AND WERE NOT ORIGINAL TIRES, 22570R15, DOTHYUUF75084, AN 10/31/94. CHEVROLET CAPRICE 1985. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 3 MILES, COMPLETE TREAD CAME OFF LEFT REAR WHEEL.*AK 2 OTHER TIRES ARE FAULTY, THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
868171
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 18, 1998

WHEN TRYING TO START UP THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START. WHEN STARTING UP AND PULLING OUT, THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP CUTTING OFF. AND THE CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE FUEL FILTER /BATTERY WERE ALSO REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
831002
Incident
Nov 21, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000601019

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L V6 ENGINE IS INSTALLED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Caprice by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018000—
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014123145.5
2013640—
2012030—
2011130—
2004000—
2003100—
1997300—
1996658353.6
19958811561.6
199414610463.7
1993616056.7
19928911263.6
199113110466.8
1990622—
1989182260.0
1988123152.7
1987174261.7
1986303464.6
1985Viewing454—
1984724—
1983811—
1982020—
1981020—
1980030—
1979340—
1978030—
1977240—
1976020—
1974030—
1973010—
1972020—
1971030—
1969040—
1968020—
1967020—
1966020—
1965030—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.