1987 Chevrolet Caprice Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and brakes (3). Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the column shift filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 18%
- Seats3 18%
- Engine cooling2 12%
- Electrical system1 5.9%
- Suspension1 5.9%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “When car is placed into drive it pops into gear. Also, when car is travelling at 20 MPH and the driver presses the gas pedal further, the vehicle again shifts and pops.”
NHTSA complaint #843355, filed 1999-09Vehicle speed control: “Throttle jammed into high-rev. And accelerated unexpectedly to high speed before necessary corrective action taken. Throttle cable was found to have broken.”
NHTSA complaint #737329, filed 2000-12Seats: “Seat assembly that allows seat to move forward and backward has broken, not allowing the seat to lock in the full forward position for shorter drivers.”
NHTSA complaint #707309, filed 1999-06Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Chevrolet Caprice version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caprice RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Caprice RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Caprice Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V102000Jun 16, 1989Vehicle speed controlCovers: Chevrolet Caprice 1984–1988, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1984–1988, Buick Lesabre 1984–1988 +15 more
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).
- 87V168000Oct 26, 1987Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shiftCovers: Chevrolet Caprice 1987, Buick Regal 1987, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1987 +6 more
Manual valve link in the transmission may have been improperly formed.
Recall details for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE88010Engine compartment firesClosed · Dec 10, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Caprice
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 | 7,919 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | 42,260 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 65 | 59,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 88 | 128,000 | 7 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 146 | 91,000 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 61 | 87,688 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 89 | 118,000 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 131 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 18 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 12 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 17 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 30 | — | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 7 | 155,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Caprice model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.
Has the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice (Caprice, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.