FaultScore report
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the brakes.
41
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 2 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
HYDRO BOOST
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:BEING ANALYZED AS OF 16 MAR 88.ANALYSIS:IR BEING ANALYZED.PROPOSED ACTION:===
HYDROBOOST FAILURE
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...
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EQUIPMENT
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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).
Risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Engine
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL (BRACKET) MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INTERMITTENT INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO CAUSE THE SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY TO WEAR THROUGH THE BALL AND CATCH ON OTHER COMPONENTS POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A STUCK THROTTLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A BUSHING KIT WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE HOUSING OF THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER (CAST) BROKE AND OPENED UP WHICH CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
UPON REAR END COLLISION BENCH SEAT COLLAPSED. METAL WAS NOT OF SUFFICENT STRENGTH. TT
NHTSA complaint #963061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10585911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10585911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #746953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #746953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE HOUSING OF THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER (CAST) BROKE AND OPENED UP WHICH CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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)
NHTSA complaint #558435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (FIRESTONE SUPREME 225/75-15). NLM
NHTSA complaint #556862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #837569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #835051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #540753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #826522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #826522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #538345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES GOT HARD AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. DRIVER HAD TO STAND ON THE PEDAL WITH TWO FEET TO STOP, SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THESE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER USED. DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE BRAKES WITH THE SAME STYLE FOR A FEE. WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES AT 45-55MPH ON WET AND DRY PAVEMENTS THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. THERE IS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #824209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, IT GOES TO MANUAL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS (30-40 MPH) THE PEDAL REMAINS STIFF. THE PROLBEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #823222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
POWER MASTER BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAKS , CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE POOR RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #513392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TWO DUNLOP TIRES REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTS, 1 RADIAL BELT FAILURE/THE OTHER HAD 'BALLONS' RISING THROUGH THE TREAD.
NHTSA complaint #511860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
NHTSA complaint #801743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER PARKED CAR AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE POWER BOOSTER HAS FAILED, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #979974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE POWER BOOSTER HAS FAILED, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #979974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FAILURE OF THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA complaint #979081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PURCHASE CAR USED SOMETIMES THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME LOOSE WILL NOT LOCK . TT
NHTSA complaint #976677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.