VehicleVerdict

1994 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 185 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 74.0 times the median Caprice year — the 1994 model ranks #1 of 36 Caprice years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (35), latches & locks (27), and brakes (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

185

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

4

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Caprice years?

See all Caprice years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Chevrolet Caprice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3519%
Latches & Locks2715%
Brakes2111%
Speed Control137%
Visibility & Wipers137%
Steering137%
Engine116%
Tires & Wheels105%
Suspension95%
Transmission84%
Body & Structure63%
Airbags53%
Seat Belts42%
Fuel System42%
Lighting32%
Other21%
Seats11%

Does the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

10 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.

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.

96V019000SuspensionJanuary 30, 1996 · 308 units

Defect

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

Consequence

IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT LOOSENS, FATIGUES AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.

95V082000Speed ControlApril 24, 1995 · 87,039 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS." AT LOW TEMPERATURES, EXCESSIVE FRICTION CAN OCCUR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE OF THE TROTTLE RETURN SPRING, IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE FRICTION IN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

94V210000Fuel SystemOctober 25, 1994 · 130,581 units

Defect

THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL TANK LEAK AND FIRE IF THE LEAKING FUEL IS EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.

94V076000Tires & WheelsApril 16, 1994 · 139 units

Defect

PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.

Consequence

ONCE CLAMP LOAD IS LOST, ALL TIRE LOADS ARE TAKEN BY THE WHEEL STUDS RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLES CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALSO, THE WHEEL STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND WILL BE REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

94V049000EngineMarch 21, 1994 · 8,475 units

Defect

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE OIL LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

DT: CABLE FROM BATTERY TO JUNCTION BOX OVERHEATED AND STARTED A FIRE. IT MELTED THE STUD THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CONNECTED TO, THE JUNCTION BOX AND THE AREA AROUND THE JUNCTION BOX. CALLER WAS AT A CAR WASH AND THE ATTENDENT SAW SMOKE AND ALERTED CONSUMER. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 31, 2005 · fire

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 45MPH IT WOULD MAKE HOWLING NOISES IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE PROBLEM WAS REAREND DIFFERENTIAL. ALSO, BRAKES WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLIED. CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM WITH NAKED EYE. TIRES WERE REPLACED & VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, AND FRONT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 12, 1997

ABS: ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY; DURING PANIC STOP OR WET SURFACE, DOES NOT PUMP BRAKES AS INTENDED. TT FAULTY WINDOW MOTOR FAILED, WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. INSTALLED A WIRING OR CONNECTO AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 23, 1995

DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER WAS 35 MPH OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS GOING FASTER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED. DIGITAL GAS GAUGE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING ALTHOUGH THE GAUGE READ HALF OF TANK. THE CAUSE OF BOTH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · crash

1994 Chevrolet Caprice — common questions

Is the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 185 complaints put the 1994 model at #1 of 36 Caprice years. It is one of the Caprice years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Caprice problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (35 complaints), latches & locks (27 complaints), brakes (21 complaints).

Does the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.