35 of the
185 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice are about the
electrical system — 19% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
88,902 miles.
F
35
Complaints
0
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
617.1%
Horn
514.3%
Wiring
514.3%
Ignition
411.4%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
38.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
38.6%
Cables
38.6%
Interior/Under Dash
25.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery
12.9%
Front Underhood
12.9%
Electrical System across every Chevrolet Caprice year
GM HAS PUT THE PROBLEM UNDER TSB 94-C-59 OR 94V049 IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST REGARDLESS OF AGE, OWNERSHIP, OR MILEAGE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT FALL UNDER A RECALL LISTING. THE CAR CONSTANTLY STALLS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I AM UNABLE TO USE ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES ON THE CAR INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS OR IT IMMEDIATELY STALLS. AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE PARTS REPLACED DESCRIBED IN 94-C-59. I WILL TRY TO SEE IF I CAN KEEP THE OLD PARTS. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR COULD RESULT IN CRASH, FIRE, OF FAILURE OF CAR TO START. GM HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR HONOR THEIR OWN OFFICIAL STATEMENTS. I HAVE PAID FOR THE NEW PARTS AND LABOR INVOLVED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT THE RECEIPTS AND COPIES OF TSB 94-C-59 FOR RECORD.
NHTSA complaint #10286940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesFairbury, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DIGITAL DASH SPEEDOMETER GOES AWAY, DOES NOT SHOW SPEED OF TRAVEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS OPPERATOR DOES NOT KNOW THE RATE OF SPEED BEING TRAVELED. I HAVE REPLACED THE UNIT ONCE BEFORE AT 99,000 MILES WITH A RECONDITIONED UNIT AT A COST OF $300.00. RECENTLY AT 140,000 MILES THIS UNIT HAS FAILED ALSO. THIS RECONDITIONED UNIT IS THE ORIGIONAL UNIT FROM THE CAR THAT HAD BEEN SENT IN FOR REPAIR THE FIRST TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10185873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesChicago, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
DT: CABLE FROM BATTERY TO JUNCTION BOX OVERHEATED AND STARTED A FIRE. IT MELTED THE STUD THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CONNECTED TO, THE JUNCTION BOX AND THE AREA AROUND THE JUNCTION BOX. CALLER WAS AT A CAR WASH AND THE ATTENDENT SAW SMOKE AND ALERTED CONSUMER. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NO RECALL. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10130785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,600 milesCenterville, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO HONOR A RECALL 94-C-59 ON 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. CAR OVERHEATED IN THE ELECTRICAL CENTER, THE COVER MELTED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING HAS BEEN MANIPULATED IN SOME WAY. THE CAR WILL START BACK THEN. GENERAL MOTORS SAID CAR WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. THEY SAY THIS RECALL IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WITH 2 REPRESENTATIVES A GM. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE THE AND HE SAID THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 12-15 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10130406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesMedford, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE PURCAHSED USED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, EVEN HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM EXPERIENCED AGAIN. MECHANIC FOUND "BATTERY STUD" LOCATED AT "ELECTRICAL CENTER" WAS LOOSE. HE "PATCHED" IT UP. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH "ALLDATA" THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM INDENTIFIED IN "CAMPAIGN 94-C-59" & A RECALL WAS ORDERED. CHEVROLET CLAIMS THERE ARE "NO OPEN RECALLS" FOR MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10119427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesCenterville, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION OVERHEATING AT THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL CENTER STUD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE PLASTIC COVER, T PLASTIC STUD HOUSING, AND/OR THE STUD ITSELF MELTED. THERE WAS GENERAL RECALL 94C59 FOR THE ELECTRICAL CENTER BATTERY STUD. THE VIN NUMBER WAS WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, INDICATING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A POLICE CAR, TAXI , OR A SPECIAL SERVICE WAGON.
NHTSA complaint #10087344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10016228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, BATTERY GAUGE GOES DOWN. CONNECTOR TO FUSE PANEL UP AGAINST FIREWALL HAS MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #8009438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER IS BEING REFUSED RECALL 94V049, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MANY PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS RECALL RELATED COMPONENT: SUDDEN AND INCREASING CHARGING SYSTEM DISCHARGE, INTERMITTENT STARTER MALFUNCTION, PERIODIC OVERHEATING, AND MELTING AT THE CENTER STUD OF THE BATTER JUNCTION BOX, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellrose, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN ASSEMBLY IS HARD TO USE, AND DOSEN'T WORK WHEN NEEDED. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED..SAFETY HAZARD ,MANY MORE WILL REPORT IN DUE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #719241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenbelt, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING--DETERMINED IT WAS A FUEL PROBLEM. AFTER REMOVING THE FUEL TANK FROM A 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE POLICE PACKAGE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A SEVERE OVERHEATING/MINOR FIRE WHICH CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE INSULATION OF THE GRAY POWER WIRE AND CHAFING OF THE BLACK GROUND WIRE WHICH FEED THE FUEL PUMP. THESE TWO WIRES CAME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO SHORT OUT. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. LUCKILY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL WITHIN THE TANK TO KEEP THE PUMP SUBMERGED AND PREVENT IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #715083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Wyoming, PAFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO CONSUMER NOTICED A SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHILE INSPECTING THE PROBLEM CONSUMER'S FINGER WAS SUFFERELY BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #849598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monticello, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WANTS TO REPORT THE DESIGN AND POOR MATERIALS USED ON THE CONNECTOR FROM BATTERY CABLE TO THE FUSE BOX. BELIEVED THIS CONDITION CAUSED POOR CIRCUIT FLOW AND POOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. (CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #845063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owosso, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR: VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA, DRIVER PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY WHEN IT START TO RAIN (DOWN POOR), SAT NAD WAITED FOR RAIN TO STOP ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHILE VEHICLE WAS SHUT-0FF AT THE KEY. RAIN STOPPED AND VEHICLE WAS REASTARTED WITH NO NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD, NO FURTHER INCIDENT UNTIL A WEEK LATER, WHEN DRIVER PULLED INTO A RELATIVES DRIVEWAY WHEN NOISE STARTED AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT VEHICLE WAS SHUT-OFF AT KEY AGAIN AND ALLOWED TO COOL FOR TEN MINUTES, WHEN RELATIVE OPENED HOOD TO CHECK ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HE NOTICED EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED NEXT DAY BY MYSELF WITH A REMANUFACTURED UNIT FROM A PARTS SUPPLIER IN MY AREA. PITMAN ARM: PITMAN ARM WAS NOTICED TO BE WORN AND ALLOWED PLAY WITHIN STEERING ASSEMBLY. PITMAN ARM WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP OF MY CHOICE UPON INSPECTION OF IT AND OTHER AREAS OF THE CHASSIS PER MY REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #709398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ringtown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, AND IT'S VERY HARD TO USE THE HORN. ALSO, THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #838659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altamont, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE EXPERENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM BATTERY CABLE TO MAIN FUSE BLOCK OVERHEATING WHICH COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS STALLING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #837796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Voorhees, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, GIVING THE DRIVER NO INDICATION . THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #827108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Lebano, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE DUE TO DESIGN WITH THE AIR BAG PLACED IN HORN BUTTON AREA.
NHTSA complaint #533592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canterbury, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
STARTER FAILED, EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO WARPING, PCM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #526157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westmont, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 10MPH, MAKING A TURN, ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TURNED OFF, LOST ALL BRAKING POWER/ STEERING AND LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN UP ON CURB UNTIL ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, DISCOVERED THAT A POSITIVE CABBLE FROM THE BATTERY LEADING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSE BOX WAS LOOSE. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #818591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE MAIN POWER FUSE UNDER THE HOOD BURNED UP. DEALER TOLD OWNER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR, BUT ONLY ON TAXI CABS AND POLICE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #813975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kinchelle, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, THE SPEEDOMETER READING WENT FROM 70 TO ZERO, THEREFORE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF DUE TO THE AMP FUSE BLOW OUT. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AMP FUSE.
NHTSA complaint #813362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ladson, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WIFE DROVE VEHICLE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED, UNDER HOOD WIRES MELTED, TERMINAL LEADING TO BATTERY HAD OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FUSE BOX TERMINAL CRACKED INTO PIECES WHILE TRYING TO DISCONNECT IT, PLASTIC PROTECTIVE CAP HAD MELTED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DISASSEMBLE, CONSUMER FOUND THAT NO ANTI-VIBRATION DEVICE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE CONNECTION. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU. REAR MAIN SEAL WAS INSTALLED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #806038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ladson, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
WIFE DROVE VEHICLE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED, UNDER HOOD WIRES MELTED, TERMINAL LEADING TO BATTERY HAD OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FUSE BOX TERMINAL CRACKED INTO PIECES WHILE TRYING TO DISCONNECT IT, PLASTIC PROTECTIVE CAP HAD MELTED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DISASSEMBLE, CONSUMER FOUND THAT NO ANTI-VIBRATION DEVICE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE CONNECTION. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU. REAR MAIN SEAL WAS INSTALLED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #806038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ladson, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WIFE DROVE VEHICLE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED, UNDER HOOD WIRES MELTED, TERMINAL LEADING TO BATTERY HAD OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FUSE BOX TERMINAL CRACKED INTO PIECES WHILE TRYING TO DISCONNECT IT, PLASTIC PROTECTIVE CAP HAD MELTED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DISASSEMBLE, CONSUMER FOUND THAT NO ANTI-VIBRATION DEVICE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE CONNECTION. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU. REAR MAIN SEAL WAS INSTALLED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #806038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM DASHBOARD, CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND WOULD NOT OPEN FOR EXIT.CAR BURNED COMPLETELY.THIS IS SECURITY/POLICE CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint #985438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traverse C, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
EXCESSIVE EFFORT REQUIRED TO DEPRESS HORN BUTTON.
NHTSA complaint #488925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAUSING DOME LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON.
NHTSA complaint #487185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAUSING DOME LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON.
NHTSA complaint #487185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cranston, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TT
NHTSA complaint #974892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.