Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice, and it carries 10 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 | 37 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 7% |
| Air bags | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
| Steering | 7 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
CPSC: THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL HORN BUTTONS ON THE 91-93 CHEVY CAPRICE, HORN BUTTONS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DON'T WORK! *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I AM TIRED OF PASSING VEHICLES ON A TWO LANE BLACKTOP IN THE RAIN THAT HAVE HEADLIGHTS BADLY POSITIONED OR TOO BRIGHT. ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSE TO TEST NEW VEHICLES FOR COMPLIANCE. ALL THIS NEW STUFF ONLY HELPS THAT VEHICLES
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING IT HOME. HE FURTHER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AND HE STOPPED TO LET
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHITE SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE EX SYSTEM. I RECENTLY HAD A OIL CHANGE AND TUNE-UP. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE MADE A TAPPING NOISE. AFTER CHECKING THE OIL, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CREAM COLORED FOAM ON THE GAUGE STICK. THE MECHANIC S
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1991 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A LOUD ROAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD APPLY THE BRAKES THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY CAPRICE CLASSIC WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN MOVED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. AFTER AN HOUR FROM MY CAR BEING MOVED, MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DASH WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE THAT MY CAR WAS EVEN ON F
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CONSUMER PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN VEHICLE HESITATED. BUT WHEN LETTING UP ON THE GAS VEHICLE ZOOMED FORWARD. CONSUMER MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER, B
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 ASSOCIAT
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 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.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 59 | average |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 71 | 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 169 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 37 of them (22%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.