Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2014 Chevrolet Caprice with NHTSA between 2014 and 2020.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 8
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Caprice. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2014 compares with every other Chevrolet Caprice
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 Chevrolet Caprice
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
857.1%
Median failure at 7,919 miles
Electrical System
214.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
214.3%
Median failure at 41,373 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Stability & Traction Control
17.1%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
758.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
18.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
18.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
325.0%
When owners complained
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.
Nov 2014peak 7Aug 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 Chevrolet Caprice
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.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesVictoria, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK BACK REPEATEDLY. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SOME HESITATION AND POWER TO CAR CUTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN CAUSING IT TO JERK. MOST THE TIME THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. IT COMPLETELY CUT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11351855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesVictoria, TX
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK BACK REPEATEDLY. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SOME HESITATION AND POWER TO CAR CUTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN CAUSING IT TO JERK. MOST THE TIME THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. IT COMPLETELY CUT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11351855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesVictoria, TX
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK BACK REPEATEDLY. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SOME HESITATION AND POWER TO CAR CUTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN CAUSING IT TO JERK. MOST THE TIME THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BUT ON OCCASION IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. IT COMPLETELY CUT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11351855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traverse City, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KEY GETS STUCK IGNITION REPEATEDLY. TOOK TO WILLIAMS CHEVROLET MARCH OF 2017, 25,691 MILES. REPLACED IGNITION CYLINDER. IN MARCH OF 2019 THE KEY BEGAN TO GET STUCK AGAIN, 36,579 MILES. REMOVED AND REPLACED LOCK CYLINDER 3/19/2019. WITHIN 2 DAYS THE KEY WAS STICKING AGAIN. ON 3/27/2019 IT WOULD NOT COME OUT AT ALL. BATTERY DRAINED AND CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY! I AM DRIVING MY ELDERLY MOTHER AROUND IN THIS CAR AND DO NOT FEEL IT IS RELIABLE NOR SAFE. THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK, GATS STUCK ON ACC.
NHTSA complaint #11192229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesSalem, VA
STEERING
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE 2014 CAPRICE PPV VEHICLES THAT HAVE POWER STEERING ISSUES. OUR POLICE OFFICERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING BEFORE COMPLETELY FAILING. THREE OF THE FOUR CAPRICE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND MILEAGE BETWEEN 47K-52K.
NHTSA complaint #10810628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Logannville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FRACTURED. THE EQUIPMENT CONSISTS OF LIGHTS, SIREN, RADIO AND MOUNTING SYSTEM WHICH WAS THE OVERALL RELAY SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/2/2017
NHTSA complaint #10701751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,747 milesEden Prairie, MN
ENGINE
I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ON JANUARY 20, 2015 BUT DIDN'T PICK UP FROM DEALERSHIP UNTIL FEBRUARY 3, 2015, I WAS WAITING FOR THE SEATS COVERING TO BE INSTALLED ALONG WITH THE REMOTE START I ORDERED. I NOTICE ON ABOUT FEBRUARY 10, 2015 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP CLOSER TO MY HOME THEY CHECK IT ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2014 ADVISED ME IT WAS MY REMOTE THAT HAD BEEN PROGRAM WITH THE WRONG CODES, I WOULD NEED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I DID I CALL I WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT TRUE BY THE PERSON IN SERVICE. I CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP BACK AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK, I EXPLAINED I ALSO SMELL A STRONG SMOKE ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW CATALYST CONVERTER WHICH IS MAJOR FOR A NEW VEHICLE WITH LOW LOW MILES. I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE REAL MILEAGE, I AM WORRY THAT I WILL HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACE LESS THEN 30DAYS OF HAVING IT. I REALLY BELIEVE I WAS PROBABLY SOLD A LEMON. I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I COULD RETURN THIS VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10684128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,734 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF A FLEET OF SEVEN VEHICLES FOR THE LA GRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF THIS FLEET (NOW 6 OF THE 7 CARS) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES DURING VEHICLE OPERATION (WHILE MOVING). THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER AND THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT WHICH TIME A CRASH WILL OCCUR AND WILL INJURE THE OFFICER AND INNOCENT PERSONS.
NHTSA complaint #10653551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,723 milesBartonville, IL
STEERING
AS THE BARTONVILLE ILLINOIS POLICE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO THIS VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING AND BEGINNING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT WHICH TIME HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. HE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY. THE OFFICER THEN "DEAD-LINED" THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO RAY DENNISON CHEVROLET, PEKIN, ILLINOIS ON OCTOBER 8, 2014 FOR REPAIR WITHOUT INCIDENT WHERE IT HAS BEEN UP TO AND INCLUDING THIS DATE DUE "PARTS" BEING SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10653404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,149 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF SEVEN IN A FLEET FOR THE LAGRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLEET (5 OF 7) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON AND IN MOTION. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAS HAD TWO SUCH FAILURES. AS WE ARE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH INVOLVING INJURIES/DEATH TO OTHERS OR OUR OFFICERS. NOTE: THIS VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS: JUNE 24, 2014 AND AGAIN AFTER BEING REPAIRED ON NOVEMBER 4, 2014.
NHTSA complaint #10652621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,346 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF SEVEN IN A FLEET FOR THE LAGRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLEET (5 OF 7) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON AND IN MOTION. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAS HAD TWO SUCH FAILURES. AS WE ARE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH INVOLVING INJURIES/DEATH TO OTHERS OR OUR OFFICERS.
NHTSA complaint #10652619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,642 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF SEVEN IN A FLEET FOR THE LAGRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLEET (5 OF 7) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON AND IN MOTION. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAS HAD TWO SUCH FAILURES. AS WE ARE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH INVOLVING INJURIES/DEATH TO OTHERS OR OUR OFFICERS.
NHTSA complaint #10652620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,115 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF SEVEN IN A FLEET FOR THE LAGRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLEET (5 OF 7) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON AND IN MOTION. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAS HAD TWO SUCH FAILURES. AS WE ARE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH INVOLVING INJURIES/DEATH TO OTHERS OR OUR OFFICERS.
NHTSA complaint #10652622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,687 milesLA Grange, IL
STEERING
THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF SEVEN IN A FLEET FOR THE LAGRANGE ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND WERE SHIPPED FROM AUSTRALIA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLEET (5 OF 7) HAVE ALL HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON AND IN MOTION. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAS HAD TWO SUCH FAILURES. AS WE ARE A POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE WE ARE IN PURSUIT OF AN OFFENDER, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH INVOLVING INJURIES/DEATH TO OTHERS OR OUR OFFICERS.
NHTSA complaint #10652623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.