1989 Chevrolet Caprice Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice. The part named most often is seat belts, with 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and fuel system (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns 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.
- Seat belts4 22%
- Brakes3 17%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Tires2 11%
- Other or unknown1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
- Suspension1 5.6%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Driver's side belt buckle will not latch. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that was not covered under a recall, and any repairs would be at consumer's cost.”
NHTSA complaint #883030, filed 2001-03Brakes: “While driving 15 MPH, the brake lines rusted. As a result, the brake pedal proceeded to the floor and brake fluid came out of the brake line. No impact reported. The consumer stated that the brake line should be made out of stainless steel. Please provide additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10097106, filed 2004-10, 29,000 milesFuel system: “When stopped at gas station inserted the gas pump nozzle not into fuel tank nozzle, but instead inserted the gas pump nozzle in one of the spaces and pumped gas onto the ground.”
NHTSA complaint #803620, filed 1996-11Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,000 and 141,081 miles.
Complaints 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 1989 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 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Caprice RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 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 | 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA93012Throttle sticking/bindingClosed · May 12, 1993
- PE92090Throttle sticking/bindingClosed · Dec 22, 1992
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Caprice have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice (Caprice, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 29,000 and 141,081 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.