1994 Chevrolet Caprice
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Caprice › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Chevrolet Caprice. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
10 recalls name the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice. Newest first.
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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
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 requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
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.
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 side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
The rear lower control arm can crack at the rear stabilizer bar attachment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can be aggravated by the severe duty cycle of these vehicles and eventually cause the lower control arm to fracture completely causing a loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both rear lower control arms and rear stabilizer bar attachments.
Defective lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts were not properly torqued and can loosen.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the lower control arm ball joint loosens, fatigues and separates from the front suspension knuckle, it could cause loss of vehicle control.
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.
These vehicles fail to conform to fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control systems." at low temperatures, excessive friction can occur in the accelerator pedal assembly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: in the event of a failure of the trottle return spring, if there IS excessive friction in the pedal assembly, the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This can result in a fuel tank leak and fire if the leaking fuel IS exposed to a source of ignition.
Remedy
Dealers will retighten the fuel tank strap fasteners.
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 clamp load.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Once clamp load IS lost, all tire loads are taken by the wheel studs resulting in a fracture of the wheel studs. This could cause the wheel to separate from the vehicle and could result in a vehicles crash without prior warning.
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.
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 leaking onto the engine.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this occurs, the oil leak onto the engine can result in an engine compartment fire.
Owner complaints
146 complaints13 involved a crash8 involved a fire7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine · Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet caprice. While driving 55 mph, the entire front end of the vehicle shook and the contact lost control. The failure occurred without warning. The contact continued to drive slowly. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to…
TL* the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet caprice. While driving 55 mph, the entire front end of the vehicle shook and the contact lost control. The failure occurred without warning. The contact continued to drive slowly. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Tires
Firestone tire fr380 ws p225/75r15 55,000 mile tire. After 12,000 miles tire s are showing steel belts through the tread. Independent mechanic and alignment verified that there IS no problem with alignment or suspension. Tires purchased march 13, 2008. *tr
- Electrical system
Gm has put the problem under tsb 94-c-59 or 94v049 it specifically states that they will repair the problem at no cost regardless of age, ownership, or mileage. this problem does not fall under a recall listing. the car constantly stalls because of the problem, and I am unable to use any of…
Gm has put the problem under tsb 94-c-59 or 94v049 it specifically states that they will repair the problem at no cost regardless of age, ownership, or mileage. this problem does not fall under a recall listing. the car constantly stalls because of the problem, and I am unable to use any of the electrical devices on the car including headlights or it immediately stalls. as a result of the problem I have had the parts replaced described in 94-c-59. I will try to see if I can keep the old parts. continuing to drive the car could result in crash, fire, of failure of car to start. gm has failed to recognize this problem or honor their own official statements. I have paid for the new parts and labor involved in fixing this problem. I have kept the receipts and copies of tsb 94-c-59 for record.*tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Digital dash speedometer goes away, does not show speed of travel. When this happens opperator does not know the rate of speed being traveled. I have replaced the unit once before at 99,000 miles with a reconditioned unit at a cost of $300.00. Recently at 140,000 miles this unit has failed also. This reconditioned unit IS the origional unit from the car that had been sent in for repair the first time.*ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
Dt: cable from battery to junction box overheated and started a fire. It melted the stud that battery cable was connected to, the junction box and the area around the junction box. Caller was at a car wash and the attendent saw smoke and alerted consumer. They opened the hood and disconnected the battery. Vehicle was towed to dealer. manufacturer said they had no recall. *ak *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring
Dt: general motors refused to honor a recall 94-c-59 on 1994 chevrolet caprice classic. Car overheated in the electrical center, the cover melted. this can happen at any time, and no indicator lights came on prior to the car stalling. the car lost power completely the car will not start back…
Dt: general motors refused to honor a recall 94-c-59 on 1994 chevrolet caprice classic. Car overheated in the electrical center, the cover melted. this can happen at any time, and no indicator lights came on prior to the car stalling. the car lost power completely the car will not start back until the electrical housing has been manipulated in some way. the car will start back then. general motors said car was not under this recall. they say this recall IS not in there system. the consumer with 2 representatives a gm. The consumer had a mechanic look at vehicle the and he said this was the same problem as the recall. this has happened at least 12-15 times. *ak
- Electrical system
Vehicle purcahsed used from a chevy dealer. Experienced complete loss of electrical power, even hazard lights inoperative. Mechanic thought it was alternator, problem experienced again. Mechanic found "battery stud" located at "electrical center" was loose. He "patched" it up. I have found through…
Vehicle purcahsed used from a chevy dealer. Experienced complete loss of electrical power, even hazard lights inoperative. Mechanic thought it was alternator, problem experienced again. Mechanic found "battery stud" located at "electrical center" was loose. He "patched" it up. I have found through "alldata" that this was a problem indentified in "campaign 94-c-59" & a recall was ordered. chevrolet claims there are "no open recalls" for my vehicle.
- Vehicle speed control
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.
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
Vehicle lost power and stalled due to battery cable connection overheating at the under hood electrical center stud. This occurred because the battery cable plastic cover, t plastic stud housing, and/or the stud itself melted. There was general recall 94c59 for the electrical center battery stud.…
Vehicle lost power and stalled due to battery cable connection overheating at the under hood electrical center stud. This occurred because the battery cable plastic cover, t plastic stud housing, and/or the stud itself melted. There was general recall 94c59 for the electrical center battery stud. The vin number was within the recall, but manufacturer refused to honor the recall, indicating that this vehicle was not a police car, taxi , or a special service wagon.*ak
- Tires
Problems with firestone tire equipment on vehicle.*mr the consumer had new firestone tire installed on the vehicle. while driving the consumer heard a thumping noise and returned the vehicle to the dealer. the vehicle was taken to the dealer five times and each time the dealer indicated that the…
Problems with firestone tire equipment on vehicle.*mr the consumer had new firestone tire installed on the vehicle. while driving the consumer heard a thumping noise and returned the vehicle to the dealer. the vehicle was taken to the dealer five times and each time the dealer indicated that the noise was due to a mechanical problem. the consumer finally took the vehicle to two other tire companies. both companies concluded that the thumping noise was coming from the tires. the tires were replaced and the thumping sound was gone. the consumer request reimbursement for all four tires and the money to have the tires checked. *nm
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
My wife's 1994 caprice has had intermittent non working power steering since we bought the car new. It IS a total lost of steering as if the belt had broken or the motor was turned off. after several lengthy service trips to the dealer, who acted like we were crazy, nothing was ever done to the…
My wife's 1994 caprice has had intermittent non working power steering since we bought the car new. It IS a total lost of steering as if the belt had broken or the motor was turned off. after several lengthy service trips to the dealer, who acted like we were crazy, nothing was ever done to the car. Recently (2 months ago) my wife started saying that now the car would not turn left at higher speeds and she has actually had to go straight through an intersection because she couldn't turn left. It also was failing quite often while turning at very low or no speed. The power steering pump was replaced. (Reman from ac delco). I also noticed that the fluid was brown and thick. Also replaced pressure hose, return hose, steering box (reman from autozone) and the power steering pressure idle control switch at the same time. The reservoir was flushed of all the brown fluid. The reman steering box was already primed with new fluid. After my wife drove the car about a week, she called to inform me that the car was still doing the same thing!! . Here IS my opinion has to what IS happening. This IS the first year that the 4.3L V-8 motor was used. The power steering pump IS not turning fast enough at idle speed. when my wife takes her foot off the gas to make the left turn (its sort of a half u turn the way the road IS laid out) while at the same time turning the wheel, the engine IS at idle speed at that point. the problem IS the same as when maneuvering in a parking lot or driveway where the problem shows up more often and the engine IS at idle speed also. This has happened numerous times over the past several years and I cannot get gm interested in solving the problem. please answer this. My wife almost had a serious accident this morning and the problem needs to be corrected before someone gets hurt. do you have any suggestions or ideas on what the problem might be? please help. ronnie belitz. *Jb
- Steering › Column
When steering IS tilted in a certain direction a fuse would blow out. *Ak the fuse that blows IS for the windshield wipers. Consumer thinks it a pinched wire in the steering column when the wheel IS titled and the wipers are turned on. A light movement of the tilted wheel will blow the fuse. Consumer feels this IS unsafe. *ph *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
The vehicle died at 65 mph,and would not restart. had to be towed. *ak
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system · Vehicle speed control
Digital speedometer was 35 mph off which resulted in a rear end collision because vehicle was going faster than the speedometer indicated. digital gas gauge also failed to function which resulted in vehicle running out of gas while driving although the gauge read half of tank. The cause of both failures was undetermined.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Fuel pump failure. wire connected to fuel pump melted bare. wire connector melted onto fuel pump. wire harness melted. *jb
- Unknown or other
There's a design flaw in vehicles' cap rotor distributor. It IS located in the bottom of the engine close to the ground, so when vehicle IS being driven in the rain, water goes into the rotor and moisture IS accumulated. This results in the vehicle stalling while driving without warning. Manufacture was of no assistance.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
A descriptive letter regarding the steering column corrosion failure was sent to the manufacturere with no reply. dt
- Electrical system
While driving, battery gauge goes down. Connector to fuse panel up against firewall has melted. *Ak
- Tires
In the first incident the tread separated and then the tire blew out. had the tires visually inspected; they saw no problems. in the second incident the tread separated almost completely and damaged the left front wheel well and quarter panel. while returning from this incident another tread…
In the first incident the tread separated and then the tire blew out. had the tires visually inspected; they saw no problems. in the second incident the tread separated almost completely and damaged the left front wheel well and quarter panel. while returning from this incident another tread separated on the right rear position. no damage because was at low speed (about 30). tried to report the failures to general; the customer service rep. Refused to take any information and her supervisor never returned my call. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Metal around latch that holds door IS cracked, and IS not catching properly, door does not shut tightly. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS valve rotted out, causing total failure of brakes. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Consumer IS being refused recall 94v049, vehicle IS experiencing many problems due to this recall related component: sudden and increasing charging system discharge, intermittent starter malfunction, periodic overheating, and melting at the center stud of the batter junction box, consumer wants reimbursement. *slc
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
General radial right rear tire p215/75r15 dot a3hfbbh054 experienced tread separation, consumer heard a flapping noise and when inspected tire also found it was still inflated. *slc
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
While driving on the freeway at 65 mph, I attempted to open the driver's side window using the power window controller and heard a loud crack. the window had twisted and was off it's track. the window was twisted so much that the under left corner of the window was touching the outer door skin…
While driving on the freeway at 65 mph, I attempted to open the driver's side window using the power window controller and heard a loud crack. the window had twisted and was off it's track. the window was twisted so much that the under left corner of the window was touching the outer door skin, and every time the car hit a bump in the road, the window would strike the door. I was concerned that the window was going to shatter so I had to pull off the road and attempt to fix the problem. after about 3-5 minutes of pushing and pulling on the window I finally got it back in the track and was able to close the window. about 15 minutes later I attempted to open the passenger side window and that window guide also failed. I again had to pull off the road to fix the problem before the window shattered. I have had this vehicle for over one year and have had no problem with the windows before. I contacted a automotive glass repair shop and started telling him of the problem and he stopped me and said "let me guess you have a chevy impala or caprice" after I told him that yes I did in fact have a caprice he said that this was a common problem, and it would cost about $100 per door to fix, but it could happen again, the part could break at any time, it IS a plastic knuckle that hold the window in place. the reason I am writing this IS because the side windows could have broke and sent glass flying into the passenger compartment cause a very hazardous situation. I have been a police officer for 6 years and have driven caprice's on-duty and know that a number of these vehicles are still in use as taxi cabs and patrol cars in the untied states and this problem needs to be addressed.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Coolant fires
There is no summary currently available
- Coolant fires
There is no summary currently available
- Steering wheel breakage
There is no summary currently available
- Sterring wheel breakage
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 603086Some vehicles experience engine miss/ poor driveability symptoms.
- 54332Experiencing engine noise.
- 54328Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning.
- 52601Engine noise (install valve stem oil seal).
- 52106Water in air pump and/or dtc p0410, p0412, p1415, p1416, p0100, p0101, p0102 and dtc 48 (install air pump service kit).
- 50568Mild shutter or sail-on between 40 to 60 mph, stall in reverse.
- 45828Horn may honk without driver activation (replacing steering wheel and sir module assembly).
- 45823Unknown
- 44054Rear wheel/tire position in wheel well opening.
- 37951Wiper chatter during cold weather.
- 37935New caliibration to correct sluggish performance/speedometer inaccuracy.
Every Chevrolet Caprice model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.