1994 Chevrolet CAPRICE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 81 complaints (9.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 18.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 9.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 5; Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Tires: 4; Electrical System:Horn: 3; Suspension:Front: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 72 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 32; 1996: 18; 2000: 12; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480726 · 1995-01-21 (January 21, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL ON WET AND BUMPY ROADS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486257 · 1995-05-12 (May 12, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087344 · 2004-08-06 (August 6, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119427 · 2005-05-03 (May 3, 2005)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042575 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065945 · 2004-04-11 (April 11, 2004)
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 VE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006122 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507922 · 1996-08-27 (August 27, 1996)
DELAY IN SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859047 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE DUE TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016228 · 2003-04-20 (April 20, 2003)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WIRE CONNECTED TO FUEL PUMP MELTED BARE. WIRE CONNECTOR MELTED ONTO FUEL PUMP. WIRE HARNESS MELTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 86,804 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016228 at NHTSA ↗