Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 25 | 63% |
| Tires | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Seats | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 STALLE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE HOUSING OF THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER (CAST) BROKE AND OPENED UP WHICH CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE HAD VIBRATION AND BUMPING SOUND IN FRONT END, UPON INSPECTION OF FRONT END CONSUMER NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLISTER 2/3 AROUND ONE TIRE AND 1/4 AROUND THE OTHER (FIRESTONE TRIUMPH 2000- 205-75-R15 M/S)
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (FIRESTONE SUPREME 225/75-15). NLM
NHTSA complaint: Tires
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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).
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).
Risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 25 of them (63%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.