MYRModel Year Report

1986 Chevrolet Caprice

▲ Better than typical
1986 Chevrolet Caprice
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:30.614Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
33
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

79% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 8 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 33 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 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 33 1987: 17 complaints 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 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1986 33 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

1986: 33 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

79% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

INJURY

Tires

9% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Steering

9% · 3 reports
Show complaint excerpts

1986 chevy Caprice. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle died while driving, ignition is damaged and steering column problems. *smd the consumer no more than 2 minutes after the leaving the dealer, the vehicle stalled again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-08

Also filed under Electrical system

Screws in tilt steering column loosened, allowing steering wheel to move up/down.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-15

Bolts holding steering column loosened, causing steering wheel to flop upward and sideways. (Other vehicle on 479671)

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-11

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine overheated and caught fire. (Ohio traffic crash report).

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-01-21

Consumer parked car and caught on fire. Please describe .

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-04

Seat belts

6% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1987-07-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-28 Hydroboost failure
  2. I
    1987-12-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-04-19 Engine compartment fires
  3. I
    1988-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-31 Hydro boost
  4. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  5. R
    1989-07-20Vehicle speed control89V102000 A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (Engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 79% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.