1989 Chevrolet Caprice

○ Not enough data
1989 Chevrolet Caprice
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:42.039Z

Only 18 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 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
18

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1983: 8 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 18 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 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 18 complaints 1989 18 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 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 18 complaints 1989 18 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

1989: 18 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 18 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

4 of 18 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly.

Service brakes

3 of 18 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Vehicle speed control

2 of 18 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Failure of the throttle sticking caused consumer to have an accident PE92-090. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-05

Tires

2 of 18 total reports mention: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice. The contact purchased four tires from a goodyear tire company. The tires have caused the vehicle to shake excessively. The tire brand is goodyear integrity, size P215/75R15, and the DOT# is MDHF1MHR.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-09-29

Structure

2 of 18 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Power switch that controlled the seats overheated and then a fire started on the front right side of door area.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-04

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1992-12-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-05-12 Throttle sticking/binding
  2. I
    1993-05-12Engineering analysisClosed 1994-06-30 Throttle sticking/binding
  3. 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).

  4. 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

1989 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment

Other years of this model

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Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Caprice?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice have?
2 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.