VehicleVerdict

1989 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Caprice years?

Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted185 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 6 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 41 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 16 complaints1989: 19 complaints1990: 6 complaints1991: 170 complaints1992: 133 complaints1993: 63 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 111 complaints1996: 87 complaints1997: 3 complaints2003: 1 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 14 complaints
Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caprice years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Chevrolet Caprice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts421%
Brakes316%
Speed Control211%
Fuel System211%
Body & Structure211%
Tires & Wheels211%
Transmission15%
Suspension15%
Seats15%
Other15%

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVER'S SIDE BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 14, 2001

“WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE FLUID CAME OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 15, 2004

“WHEN STOPPED AT GAS STATION INSERTED THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE NOT INTO FUEL TANK NOZZLE, BUT INSTEAD INSERTED THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE IN ONE OF THE SPACES AND PUMPED GAS ONTO THE GROUND. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 16, 1996

1989 Chevrolet Caprice — common questions

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 Caprice problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Caprice years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caprice years to avoid are 1994, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1986, 2014. The cleanest record among Caprice years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.