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Chevrolet Caprice — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Caprice model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
41
Years to Avoid
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
1997, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965
2018
0 complaints0 recalls285 TSBs
2017Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls797 TSBs
2016Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls879 TSBs
2015Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls1147 TSBs
2014Avoid
14 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1257 TSBs
2013Avoid
9 complaints4 recalls1227 TSBs
2012Avoid
0 complaints3 recalls1186 TSBs
2011Avoid
2 complaints3 recalls1053 TSBs
2004
0 complaints0 recalls137 TSBs
2003
1 complaints0 recalls132 TSBs
1997Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1996
87 complaints8 recalls3 invest.32 TSBs
1995
111 complaints11 recalls5 invest.29 TSBs
1994
185 complaints10 recalls4 invest.16 TSBs
1993
63 complaints6 recalls3 TSBs
1992
133 complaints11 recalls2 invest.3 TSBs
1991
170 complaints10 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1990
6 complaints2 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1989
19 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1988
16 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1987
20 complaints4 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1986
41 complaints3 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1985
8 complaints5 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1984
8 complaints2 recalls4 invest.
1983
8 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1982Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1979
6 complaints4 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1977
2 complaints4 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1969
0 complaints4 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1966Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1965Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Caprice Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 Chevrolet Caprice are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Caprice, consider the 1997, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

41 model years analyzed