MYRModel Year Report

1994 Chevrolet Caprice

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 Chevrolet Caprice
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:38:49.268Z

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
152
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

23% of complaints

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 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 152 complaints 1994 152 1995: 88 complaints 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 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1993: 63 complaints 1994: 152 complaints 1994 152 1995: 88 complaints 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 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 134 complaints 1991 1992: 92 complaints 1992 1993: 63 complaints 1993 1994: 152 complaints 1994 152 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

1994: 152 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.

Electrical system

23% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and horn.

FIREINJURY

Latches/locks/linkages

18% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Service brakes

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Vehicle speed control

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I started my 1994 chevy Caprice Classic and before I could get it into gear, my car took off and slammed into the back of a Honda.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-16

Digital speedometer was 35 MPH off which resulted in a rear end collision because vehicle was going faster than the speedometer indicated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-22

Also filed under Fuel system, other

Drivers airbag did not deploy during accident, resultting in injury. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-10

Also filed under Air bags

Steering

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 152 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1994-04-12Engine and engine cooling94V049000 The engine oil cooler inlet hose may have been installed too close to the steering gear causing chafing. The chafing can eventually wear through the hose's protective sleeve resulting in engine oil…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1994-04-19Wheels94V076000 Paint on the wheel mounting surfaces can act as a shim between the wheel and the rotor/drum. As the vehicle is driven, the wheel imbeds into the paint, loosening the lug nut and causing a loss of…

    Remedy: Dealers will clean the wheel mounting surfaces for all four wheels. Also, the wheel studs will be inspected for damage and will be replaced as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1994-11-03Fuel system, gasoline94V210000 The fuel tank attachment strap fasteners were not properly tightened. The fasteners can completely detach, eventually allowing the fuel tank to sag and the bottom of the tank to strike the roadway.

    Remedy: Dealers will retighten the fuel tank strap fasteners.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1995-05-31Vehicle speed control95V082000 These vehicles fail to conform to FMVSS No. 124, "Accelerator control systems." At low temperatures, excessive friction can occur in the accelerator pedal assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1996-02-22Suspension96V020000 The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    1996-02-23Suspension96V019000 Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened from the knuckle, both the ball joint and the knuckle will be replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    1996-05-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-24 Sterring wheel breakage
  9. I
    1996-09-24Engineering analysisClosed 1997-04-04 Steering wheel breakage
  10. I
    1998-09-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-01-13 Coolant fires
  11. I
    1999-01-13Engineering analysisClosed 2000-08-17 Coolant fires
  12. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Chevrolet Caprice — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V049000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 94V076000 · Wheels
  • Recall 94V210000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 95V082000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 96V020000 · Suspension
  • Recall 96V019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.