1987 Chevrolet Caprice
Only 17 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 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1987
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1987: 17 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 17 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Power train
4 of 17 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.
Vehicle speed control
4 of 17 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing linkages.
Seats
4 of 17 total reports mention: seats, most commonly citing recliner and power adjust.
Show complaint excerpts
Electric seat panel failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-16
Also filed under Visibility
Service brakes
3 of 17 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Engine and engine cooling
2 of 17 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
Show complaint excerpts
Engine compartment fire.(Ohio state police report)
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-11-14
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1987-11-25Power train87V168000 Manual valve link in the transmission may have been improperly formed.
Remedy: Replace the manual valve detent lever link.
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I
1987-12-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-04-19 Engine compartment fires
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I
1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
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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.
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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).
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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
1987 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Seats: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 87V168000 · Power train
- Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1987 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 1987 Chevrolet Caprice?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice have?
- 4 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.