RoadVitals

1990 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.
6
Latest Mar 10, 2003
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Caprice, most frequently naming the driver assistance, seat belts and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 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

  • Driver assistance233.3%
  • Seat belts233.3%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%

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

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

May 18, 1990
21,415 units potentially affected
The defect: PLASTIC FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLIES MAY DEVELOP LEAKS.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO STATICCHARGE BUILD UPS FOUND IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTER WHICH MAY ACTAS AN IGNITION SOURCE.
The remedy: REPLACE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY WITH METAL FUEL FILTER AND BRACKET.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.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
PE92079ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

R SEAT BELT WEBBING LENGTH

Opened Sep 9, 1992
Closed Jan 19, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Mar 10, 2003

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE ANCHORED TO THE DOOR, IF THE DOOR OPENED, THE PASSENGER WAS NOT SECURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011165
Seat belts
Filed Mar 7, 2003

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR. CONSUMER STATED IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR AND THE DOOR OPENED, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER MAY FALL OUT.*JB

NHTSA ID
10011150
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 21, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH LEFT FRONT RIM, BROKEN FROM CENTER AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL DOWN ON ITS LEFT HUD. IT DAMAGED LEFT FENDER. UNABLE TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DTAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
876899
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 28, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE DIES OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ID
829645
Incident
Oct 12, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 29, 1997
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO A CEMENT POLE, CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PAIN AND NUMBNESS IN THE NECK AND LEFT HAND, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
815864
Incident
Aug 25, 1997
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 28, 1997

ENGINE IDLES HIGH, WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
808089

Manufacturer communications

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

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *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
1990Viewing622
1989182260.0
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.