1986 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 1986 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
- Brakes1955.9%
- Engine38.8%
- Tires & wheels38.8%
- Fuel system25.9%
- Seat belts25.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
- Interior & seats12.9%
- Driver assistance12.9%
- Steering12.9%
- Electrical12.9%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HOUSING OF THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER (CAST) BROKE AND OPENED UP WHICH CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. NLM
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
VEHICLE STALLED AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEY GOT HARD, THE PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE AT AL., DRIVING AT 10 MPH, INCLINE TOWARDS RED LIGHT, CAR WOULD NOT STOP, MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE REPAIRED BEFORE, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF VARIOUS WORKMANSHIP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAD VIBRATION AND BUMPING SOUND IN FRONT END, UPON INSPECTION OF FRONT END CONSUMER NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLISTER 2/3 AROUND ONE TIRE AND 1/4 AROUND THE OTHER (FIRESTONE TRIUMPH 2000- 205-75-R15 M/S)
THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (FIRESTONE SUPREME 225/75-15). NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK
FUEL LINE AND VAPOUR LINE HAS CATASTROPHIC RUST OUT OF ABOUT 3 OR 4 FT. FUEL LINE LEAKS NEAR AREA OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE.*AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.
PURCHASE CAR USED SOMETIMES THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME LOOSE WILL NOT LOCK . 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 HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON REAR END COLLISION BENCH SEAT COLLAPSED. METAL WAS NOT OF SUFFICENT STRENGTH. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1986 CHEVY CAPRICE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION IS DAMAGED AND STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER THE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE RETURNED THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER, AND INFORMED HIM, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *JB
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
1986 CHEVY CAPRICE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION IS DAMAGED AND STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER THE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE RETURNED THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER, AND INFORMED HIM, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *JB
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 .