Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Chevrolet Caprice, and it carries 11 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 | 30 | 26% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 11% |
| Air bags | 13 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 10% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Visibility | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TIRE FAILURE- CORD SEPARATION. AT 65MPH THE TIRE SUDDENLY FAILED AND LOST PRESSURE. PRESSURE HAD BEEN CHECKED 2 DAYS EARLIER. TREAD HAS BEEN WORN LESS THAN 25% HAVE PICTURES OF DAMAGE WHICH SHOWS MISSING PORTION OF RUBBE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO A LOW GEAR AND ALLOWED
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I PURCHASED MY FIRST VEHICLE, NO LINE OF CREDIT AT A AUTO AUCTION, CAR COST 2,648.07 AND PAYMENTS $167.61 TOTAL 8,039.62 PAID $ 1,000.00 CASH DEPOSIT. THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE NEXT DAY, I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE, THE WAR
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE HORN BUTTONS ON MY 1992 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC (5.0L V-8), HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR PRIOR TO VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE BUTTONS FUNCTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 USES BEFORE BREAKING AND HAVING TO BE REPLA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1992 CAPRICE DOES NOT GIVE MAXIMUM SLOW DOWN OR STOP ABILITY. *TS THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT ADEQUATELY STOP THE VEHICLE DURING PANIC STOPS. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
AIRBAG AND BRAKES FAILED, AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES. TWO PEOPLE WERE THROWN INTO DASHBOARD,WINDSHIELD, WHEN SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD, DRIVER NEVER TOOK FOOT OFF OF BRAKES, AIRBAG (DEPLOY SENSOR) ON GROUND, CAR IS IN B
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I'M NOT TRYING TO DO DUAL COMPLAINTS. WHILE BRAKING ,PRIOR TO IMPACT, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING COMING FROM THE ABS CONTROL UNIT UNDER THE HOOD, ALSO THE COMPUTER ECM, SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, SERIOUS LIFETIME INJ
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1992 CHEVEROLEDT CLASSIC CAPRIC CAR STARTED SMOKING AROUND STEERING COLUMN APRIL 29, 2004
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1992 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 | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 30 of them (26%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 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 70/100. 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.