VehicleVerdict

1993 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 63 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 25.2 times the median Caprice year — the 1993 model ranks #6 of 36 Caprice years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (15), brakes (13), and suspension (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

63

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

5

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Caprice years?

Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caprice years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Chevrolet Caprice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1524%
Brakes1321%
Suspension711%
Seat Belts58%
Tires & Wheels46%
Airbags46%
Speed Control35%
Body & Structure35%
Fuel System23%
Engine23%
Transmission23%
Steering12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%

Does the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

96V020000SuspensionJanuary 31, 1996 · 154,214 units

Defect

THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN BE AGGRAVATED BY THE SEVERE DUTY CYCLE OF THESE VEHICLES AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR STABILIZER BAR ATTACHMENTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE WIRES THAT RAN FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK ALONG THE FRAME HAD SHORTED OUT CIRCUIT. THIS SHORT WAS DUE TO THE CIRCUIT RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE BRAKES GRABBED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 12, 1996 · crash

“LOCATION: FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE. PROBLEM: NUT CAME OFF THE BOLT HOLDING THE SUSPENSION TOGETHER CAUSING A 2" RIP IN THE FRAME. *AK COMPLAINT: VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED THROUGH WELDING WITH OUT SOME LIABILITY AND RISK. QUESTION: HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 4, 2004

“WHILE DAUGTHER WAS PUTTING SEAT BELT ON THE SPRING THAT RETRACTS BELT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT BELT NOT TO RETRACT. OWNER BELIEVES THE COST OF REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 17, 2000

“THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE AND BULGES IN THE TREAD ON OTHER TIRES, REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON 9-30-00. (CONTINENTAL GENERAL 225/R15 1025) *MJS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 19, 2000

1993 Chevrolet Caprice — common questions

Is the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 63 complaints put the 1993 model at #6 of 36 Caprice years. It is one of the Caprice years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Caprice problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (15 complaints), brakes (13 complaints), suspension (7 complaints).

Does the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Chevrolet Caprice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.