1983 Chevrolet Caprice

○ Not enough data
1983 Chevrolet Caprice
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:22.623Z

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

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1983

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1983: 8 complaints 1983 8 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 152 complaints 1995: 88 complaints 1995 1996: 65 complaints 1997: 3 complaints 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints
1983: 8 complaints 1983 8 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 152 complaints 1995: 88 complaints 1995 1996: 65 complaints 1997: 3 complaints 1997 2003: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints
1983: 8 complaints 1983 8 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 18 complaints 1989 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 152 complaints 1994 1995: 88 complaints 1995 1996: 65 complaints 1996 1997: 3 complaints 1997 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 6 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2014

1983: 8 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19838
19847
19854
198633
198717
198812
198918
19906
1991134
199292
199363
1994152
199588
199665
19973
20031
20111
20120
20136
201412

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.

FIRE
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.

FIRE
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.

FIRE
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 →

  1. I
    1988-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-31 Hydro boost
  2. 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

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Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

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.