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1988 Chevrolet CapriceProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints121 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice has problems

12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system31
Seat belts20
Vehicle speed control20
Seats10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Steering10
Suspension10
Tires10
Visibility10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 Chevrolet Caprice recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Caprice year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Caprice median. How we score

'65'66'67'68'69'71'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'03'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Caprice owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY STALLS WHEN WARMING UP, AND THE VEHICLE HAS NO ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WORKS FINE AFTER SERVICE FOR A WHILE AND THEN BACK TO THE SAME
Complaint 967232 · Jun 19, 1995
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME AT 9:30P.M. AND THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS GOT VERY DIM AND SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD. MY SON HAPPENED TO BE BEHIND HER AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE CAR. HE PULLED HER OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY…
Complaint 731118 · Sep 12, 2000
WIRING CONNECTIONS IN THE TILT-STEERING WHEEL TOO TIGHT AND PULL OUT WHEN TURNING VEHICLE, CAUSING TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.
Complaint 527169 · Dec 30, 1997

Own a 1988 Caprice?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.