1991 Chevrolet Caprice: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 131 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints); the 1993 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cpsc: this is a problem with all horn buttons on the 91-93 chevy caprice, horn buttons are defective and don't work! *bf updated 10/16/2017*js”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2017
“I am tired of passing vehicles on a two lane blacktop in the rain that have headlights badly positioned or too bright. Are you not suppose to test new vehicles for compliance. All this new stuff only helps that vehicles driver and blinds the rest of us. Also you should make these vehicles with truck size tires that sit three feet off the ground illegal. They are a safety hazard. I have seen several large vehicles that have an otherwise good safety rating in serious crashes. Twenty two inch blings kill! *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2013
“1991 chevrolet caprice vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. *bf the consumer stated he had just purchased the vehicle and was driving it home. He further stated the vehicle had overheated and he stopped to let it cool down prior to the fire. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0151-90) *jb updated 05/13/10 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* - the contact called regarding the 1991 chevrolet caprice. The contact was backing out of a parking space and heard a loud roar, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and before the contact could apply the brakes the vehicle struck a building. The contact has pictures of the vehicle. A police report was taken . There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 63,000. The vehicle was destroyed. *ak alabama incident report provided. Updated 08/03/07 *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 chevrolet caprice. While driving 5 mph and accelerating, the vehicle made a tapping noise. After checking the oil, the contact noticed a cream colored foam on the gauge stick. The mechanic stated that the intake manifold was not positioned properly and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was operating normally. The intake manifold gasket was replaced three times. After changing the type of fuel he put in the vehicle, the contact noticed a slight improvement. The current mileage is 93,400 and failure mileage was 48,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2006
“Consumer purchased a vehicle that experienced all kinds of problems. When making a right or left turn vehicle hesitated. But when letting up on the gas vehicle zoomed forward. Consumer mentioned this to dealer, but there was no resolution to the problem.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004
“1) a vehicle ran a stop sigh from a side street and cut me off. I attempted to use my horn but the areas one must press are so small and specific that it is very difficult to quickly locate the spot. I was able to avoid hitting the other vehicle but this incidnet reminded me there there is a serious design flaw in the horn location. 2) due to the difficulty locating the horn I have been unable, in this instance and many previously, to alert other motorists of my presence. 3) I have not yet visited a chevrolet dealer but intend to .*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2004
“Plastic fuel tank is leaking. Tank is manufactured with two cone shaped depressions in the bottom of the tank. Straps hold the tank in place. These straps almost cover these depressions, the tank leaks at the depression on the right hand side allowing fuel to escape. Contacted gm, file number 1-109-911-920, but was told that gm would not cover the cost to replace at this time since insufficient complaints had been received to date. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2003
“Fuel tank is leaking fuel because the plastic tank is separating from seam. Dealer contacted.*ak. Also the serpentine belt was replaced.*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2002
“While driving steel belts on right rear tire separated. Consumer stated same thing happened a year ago on left rear tire. Contacted dealer, and dealer advised consumer to get two estimates on damage. Also, dealer was not responsible for tire because it had been repaired before. Tire size p20575r15,dot# acula2250k. *ak *yh”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
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.
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
THE STEEL WHEELS EXHIBIT FATIGUE CRACKING AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE WHEEL LUG NUT MOUNTING SURFACE DUE TO WHEEL BENDING CAUSED BY FREQUENT MISUSE OF TIRE MOUNTING EQUIPMENT, LUG NUT OVERTORQUING, AND THE UNUSUAL OPERATING CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED BY POLICE VEHICLES.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WITH REDESIGNED STEEL WHEELS.
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.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.
SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEQ 9C1 POLICE CARS IN CORROSION AREAS OF THE US AND CANADA ONLY. NOTE: VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEWJERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. A ELECTRICAL GROUND-OUT CONDITION MAY EXIST BETWEEN THE 12 VOLT JUNCTION BLOCK AND THE METAL INNER FENDER SKIRT.
Remedy: INSTALL A SHIELDING INSULATOR UNDER THE JUNCTION BLOCK.
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.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Caprice by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
NHTSA has 131 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Chevrolet Caprice problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 126,527 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.