Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Vehicle speed control18
- Electrical system16
- Seat belts12
- Fuel system, gasoline12
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Air bags8
- Visibility6
- Steering6
- Structure5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 1991 Caprice vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice failed the safety check 2.40% of the time — 113% more often than the average 1991 passenger car (1.13%). Median odometer at inspection: 118,710 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
32 first registered in 1991 are on Dutch roads; 16% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen6
- Band onvoldoende profiel5
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde4
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af4
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm3
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht3
- Parkeerrem werkt niet op 2 wielen2
- Stofhoes fuseekogel ondeugdelijk bevestigd2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In Finland
6 of these cars first registered in 1991 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 200,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
4 1991 cars are on the New Zealand register; 75% arrived as used imports, 25% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice.
| 1996026 12 Feb 1996 | 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 … |
| 1993029 5 Mar 1993 | Electrical On certain vehicles, an electrical "ground out" condition between the 12 volt junction block and the metal inner fender skirt may cause a melted junction block,… |
| 1992076 29 Jun 1992 | Seats And Restraints NOTE: 1991 CAPRICE SEDANS AND WAGONS AND ROADMASTER WAGONS AND 1992 ROADMASTER SEDANS. THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE … |
| 1992075 25 Jun 1992 | Suspension NOTE: POLICE SEDANS AND POLICE STATION WAGONS. THE 15" X 7" (CODE RDL) STEEL WHEELS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE… |
| 1991147 31 Oct 1991 | Structure THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES ON THESE VEHICLES CAN CORRODE CAUSING A VERY HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WH… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.
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.
THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
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.
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634999 | DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT |
| 45823 | UNKNOWN |
| 37951 | WIPER CHATTER DURING COLD WEATHER. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
LWR BALL JOINT ASSEM.FAILS
R SEAT BELT WEBBING LENGTH
STEEL WHEEL FAILURES
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation