Owners have filed 63 complaints
about the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 34
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Caprice. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1993 compares with every other Chevrolet Caprice
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.
Mar 1995peak 3Aug 2007
Recalls on the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice
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.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
07E088000
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.
06E065000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
96V020000
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE SEVERE DUTY CYCLE OF THESE VEHICLES AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19960268,627 units in Canada
Suspension
NOTE: POLICE SEDANS AND TAXI CABS. THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT AND EVENTUALLY COULD CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Millers Creek, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1993 CHEVROLET STATION WAGON CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10201484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HIT FIRE HYDRANT HEAD-ON AND AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #8006989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ENGINE SHUT DOWN. HAD AIR CONDITIONER ON AT TIME. HAPPENS IN SUMMER ONLY. TOOK TO DEALER. CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, SOMETIMES. WAS INFORMED OF A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #844335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Helmetta, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE DURING A FRONT END ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #707435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #541960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birchwood, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE BRAKES GRABBED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #807534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Millers Creek, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1993 CHEVROLET STATION WAGON CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10201484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,688 milesAlexander City, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
INTERMITTENTLY HORN FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM TWICE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.*AK THE VEHICLE NEEDED A HORN SWITCH REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10099380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesFresno, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LOCATION: FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE. PROBLEM: NUT CAME OFF THE BOLT HOLDING THE SUSPENSION TOGETHER CAUSING A 2" RIP IN THE FRAME. *AK COMPLAINT: VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED THROUGH WELDING WITH OUT SOME LIABILITY AND RISK. QUESTION: HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED?
NHTSA complaint #10052494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesPalm Desert, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURE MELTING THE MECHANISMS. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deltona, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE WIRES THAT RAN FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK ALONG THE FRAME HAD SHORTED OUT CIRCUIT. THIS SHORT WAS DUE TO THE CIRCUIT RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8020159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN BUTTONS ARE LOCATED AT EACH SIDE OF THE AIRBAG. THEY ARE 2 SMALL BUTTONS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE LEFT HORN BUTTON WILL SLIP OUT OF PLACE AND GO SOMEWHERE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HORN BUTTONS ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE EVEN W/LITTLE USAGE.I RECENTLY CONTACTED THE MANUF. BUT THEY ATTRIBUTED TO WEAR AND TEAR/AGE OF VEHICLE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE HORN BUTTONS 1996, 1997,1999, 2000, AND THEY JUST WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS BECOME AN EXPENSIVE & FRUSTRATING SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU ARE UNABLE TO USE THE HORN IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. YOU ARE UNABLE TO DEPEND ON THE RELIABILITY OF BEING ABLE TO PUSH THE HORN BUTTONS. THE WINDOW GUIDES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THEY BREAK VERY EASILY. THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS ACKNOWLEDGED POOR CRAFTMANSHIP FOR BOTH OF THESE ITEMS BUT HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN EITHER MATTER. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #765962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 21000 MILES AND FRONT DISCS REPLACED AT 27000 MILES. ALSO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED AT 23000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #8016024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FRONT END SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS FAULTY. BOLT THAT HOLDS FRAME IS HANGING OFF AND THE SELF LOCKING NUT CAME OFF.
NHTSA complaint #8014074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR A PEDESTRIAN TO GET HURT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE HORN BUTTONS ARE LOOSE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. HORN HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. NOW IT IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. CONSUMER UNPLUGGED THE HORN BECAUSE IT WOULD GO OFF WHEN TURNING A CORNER IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND HORN CONTACTS LOOSE AND THEY WERE BROKEN CAUSING INTERMITTENT OPERATION. THE CONTACTS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8013864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH HIT FIRE HYDRANT HEAD-ON AND AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #8006989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STRUCTURE
AT AN AUCTION, CONSUMER BID ON A CAR, HOWEVER WAS NOT ALLOWED TO LOOK IN IT BEFORE BUYING IT, WHEN THE CONSUMER FINALLY LOOKED AT IT, IT WAS FILTHY AND HAD HIGH MILEAGE, THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A HOLE IN ITS FLOORBOARD, CONSUMER REQUESTED HIS MONEY BACK AND WAS DENIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Hartford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN IS VERY DIFFCULT TO PRESS. HORN HAS 2 BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL AND LEFT BUTTON FAILED FIRST. THEN, BOTH BUTTONS WENT OUT. AIRBAG/ HORN IS ONE INTEGRATED UNIT. HORN ISN'T WORKING, AND UNLESS CONSUMER REPAIRS IT, DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING. CONSUMR HAS BEEN QUOTED BETWEEN $400-$600 FOR REPAIR OF UNIT.*AK CONSUMER STATES LEFT HORN BUTTON WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FINALLY IT FAILED AND HAD USE OF RIGHT HORN HAND BUTTON AND THEN THAT FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENEDED.
NHTSA complaint #888718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Patton, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTONS ARE SO SMALL, DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE/FIND TO DEPRESS IN AN EMERGENCY. THE BUTTONS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED 6(SIX) TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #557391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal River, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE AND BULGES IN THE TREAD ON OTHER TIRES, REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON 9-30-00. (CONTINENTAL GENERAL 225/R15 1025) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #555250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Alexandria, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DAUGTHER WAS PUTTING SEAT BELT ON THE SPRING THAT RETRACTS BELT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT BELT NOT TO RETRACT. OWNER BELIEVES THE COST OF REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #859171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenns Ferry, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
IF THE FRONT WHEELS ARE ON DIFFERENT PAVEMENT THERE IS NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monticello, MN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PAINT IS PEELING, PAINT FEELS VERY ROUGH INSTEAD OF SMOOTH. DRIVERS DOOR IS SLIGHLY DARKER COLOR THAN REST OF CAR. ENTIRE FRAME HAS RUST ON IT, INCLUDING THE REAR AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #715393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ENGINE SHUT DOWN. HAD AIR CONDITIONER ON AT TIME. HAPPENS IN SUMMER ONLY. TOOK TO DEALER. CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, SOMETIMES. WAS INFORMED OF A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #844335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Billa, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT AND THE SPRING BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #842126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Helmetta, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE DURING A FRONT END ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #707435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON FAILED CONTINUALLY.
NHTSA complaint #543961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inglis, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTONS WERE POORLY DESIGNED, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE AIRBAG ARE TWO SMALL BUTTONS TO BLOW THE HORN, WHICH DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND IS HARD TO FIND. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #824876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #541960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birningham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO USE THE HORN THERE ISN'T ANY SOUND COMING FROM THE HORN. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT. IF ANY VEHICLE PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HAS NO WAY OF WARNING THE OTHER CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #832401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.