1988 Chevrolet Caprice Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and vehicle speed control (2). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Electrical system3 25%
- Seat belts2 17%
- Brakes1 8.3%
- Engine cooling1 8.3%
- Seats1 8.3%
- Steering1 8.3%
- Suspension1 8.3%
- Tires1 8.3%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “My wife was driving home at 9:30p.m. And the alternator light kept coming on and off the lights got very dim and she pulled off the road. My son happened to be behind her and got out to see what the problem was. He noticed smoke and fire coming from the car. He pulled her out of the car and they got approximately 5 feet from the car and it exploded in a ball of fire. The car was completely destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #731118, filed 2000-09Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 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 | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 19 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Caprice Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
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).
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Chevrolet Caprice have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice (Caprice Wagon, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 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 30, 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.