1983 Chevrolet Caprice
Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1983
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1983: 8 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 33 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 134 |
| 1992 | 92 |
| 1993 | 63 |
| 1994 | 152 |
| 1995 | 88 |
| 1996 | 65 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Only 8 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Engine and engine cooling
3 of 8 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and diesel.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-17
Electrical system
2 of 8 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle has caught fire in the engine compartment twice in the last three months. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-15
Visibility
1 of 8 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Structure
1 of 8 total reports mentions: structure, most commonly citing underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
The plastic HVAC unit mounted to the firewall is poorly design which allowed a fire to spread into the passenger compartment only on the passenger side, directly through the plastic HVAC unit.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-07-17
Equipment
1 of 8 total reports mentions: equipment, most commonly citing carrier/rack.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
1988-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-31 Hydro boost
-
R
2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1983 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1983 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1983 Chevrolet Caprice?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1983 Chevrolet Caprice have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.