RoadVitals

1989 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.
18
Latest Feb 4, 2017
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.
2
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.
2
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

  • Seat belts422.2%
  • Brakes316.7%
  • Driver assistance211.1%
  • Tires & wheels211.1%
  • Body & structure211.1%
  • Fuel system211.1%
  • Transmission15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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

Safety investigations

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

EA93012ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING/BINDING

Opened May 12, 1993
Closed Jun 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92090ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING/BINDING

Opened Dec 22, 1992
Closed May 12, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
Filed Feb 4, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CUT OFF I LOSS POWER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME IN MACON COUNTY,ALABAMA. THE CAR WAS LATER STOLEN FROM MY HOME ADDRESS OF 401 BOYD ROAD SHORTER,ALABAMA 36075. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE MACON COUNTY, SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID
10949546
Incident
Apr 4, 2003
Mileage
70,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 29, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED FOUR TIRES FROM A GOODYEAR TIRE COMPANY. THE TIRES HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE TIRE BRAND IS GOODYEAR INTEGRITY, SIZE P215/75R15, AND THE DOT# IS MDHF1MHR. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE TIRES FOR A NEW SET; HOWEVER, THE NEW TIRES HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AS MUCH AS THE FIRST SET OF TIRES. A GOODYEAR TIRE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL. A TECHNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE, OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE TIRE DEALER TO ACCEPT THE TIRES IN EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND AND WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10285673
Incident
Jul 7, 2009
Mileage
141,081 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE FLUID CAME OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10097106
Incident
Aug 15, 2004
Mileage
29,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 9, 2002

DRIVER SEATBELT LATCH WON'T LOCK.*AK

NHTSA ID
761727
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2001

FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD BONDING TO BRAKE PAD BACKING PLATE FAILED CAUSING PAD TO FAIL IN SHEAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
742648
Incident
Mar 18, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Mar 14, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

NHTSA ID
883030
Incident
Feb 14, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 21, 2000

PEOO 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND IT TORE A HOLE THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE. TIRE WAS FLAT. FIRESTONE, BRIDGESTONE, SIZE P21575 SR15. CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRSTONE, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE HE BOUGHT IT FROM. *AK BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE P215/75/R15 *MW

NHTSA ID
868226
Incident
Aug 20, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Aug 26, 1999

INTERMITTENTLY DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT CATCH , WHEN IT DOES CATCH IT BECOMES UNBUCKLED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
845865

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—
1989Viewing182260.0
1988123152.7
1987174261.7
1986303464.6
1985454—
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.