1992 Chevrolet Caprice Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the antilock brake system: brake fluid leaks at the ABS modulator, a low or soft pedal, and the ABS warning light staying on. Belt retractors and horn switches also come up repeatedly, and many complaints describe problems appearing on a vehicle already well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS modulator leaks, pedal to the floor, ABS light on

   • 18 complaints (20%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the ABS modulator corroding or leaking brake fluid from the front circuit, often noticed as a pedal that sinks to the floor, the ABS warning light staying on, or fluid visible around the unit. Several owners report the warning light coming on shortly after a shop inspection or brake work, and dealers quoting a modulator replacement. Some owners say a repair performed under the ABS recall later leaked again or that the dealer declined to redo the work. Reported across a wide mileage range, from vehicles with no mileage recorded to a 110,000-mile example, and often years after the vehicle was new.

   Recall 97V217000

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for wetness or corrosion around the ABS modulator, and ask whether recall 97V217000 was completed and when. A firm pedal with the ABS light off on start-up is the baseline to look for.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After we took our 92 Caprice in for oil change on oct. 22 with complimentary check of the brakes at dealer, we were told we needed the brakes replaced, especially the back ones, with the front ones needing replacedment in a few months. Going home the ABS warning light came on & stayed on. This was the first time the light had gone on while driving. We stopped the car & light went off, but after began driving light went back on & stayed on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #700058, filed 1998-10

   “I own a 1992 Caprice station wagon. After driving from new york to oklahoma in january of 2001, I experienced total brake failure as a result of the leaking of the ABS modulator on this car. A used ABS modulator was purchased and was used to replace the failed part. On 4-24-2001, I came across a safety alert for this type of vehicle in the internet that indicated that there had been a recall for the part that had failed in my vehicle. The recall # is GM campaign #97058 and the NHTSA # is 97v217. …”

   NHTSA complaint #744467, filed 2001-04
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Seat belt retractors fail to retract or lock

   • 13 complaints (15%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the retractor spring wearing through its plastic housing so the belt no longer pulls back into place, or a shoulder belt releasing and leaving the belt loose. Owners report being told the belts are only covered during the warranty period, and in some cases the belt locking mechanism is described as no longer holding. Reports are mostly from vehicles with no mileage recorded, filed well into the vehicle's life; one related complaint lists 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it go; it should retract smoothly and lock when tugged sharply. Check the plastic housing at the top anchor for cracks or the spring showing through.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my Caprice, I pulled at the seat shoulder belt to readjust its position. It released, allowing all the belt material to be loosely held around me. I am not an athletic female and did not pull hard. I contacted GM. They stated that although seat belts are safety devices, they are only guaranteed to function during the warranty period or 36,000 miles. They said I was responsible to pay to have the seat belts replaced and would not have assumed any liability had a wreck occurred when the seat belt failed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #706975, filed 1999-05

   “Airbag and brakes failed, and caused serious injuries. Two people were thrown into dashboard,windshield, when seat belts failed to hold, driver never took foot off of brakes, airbag (deploy sensor) on ground, car is in backyard if you want to see! I now find out there was 9 (problems), recalls, two on ABS!.”

   NHTSA complaint #10132329, filed 2005-08, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Horn switch and horn button problems

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 8.3 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the horn working only intermittently or not at all when the pad is pressed, with the switch replaced more than once and the plastic button pushing through or sticking. One complaint notes the air bag assembly shifting inside the steering wheel and interfering with the horn, and another describes a broken horn button. Mostly reported on vehicles with no mileage recorded, filed at various ages, some owners reporting repeated switch replacements over several years.

   What to check: Press the horn at several points around the pad and check that the button sits flush and does not stick. Ask whether the horn switch has been replaced before.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When depressing horn buttons, horn does not work. Horn switch was replaced in december of 1999. This was the second time the swtich has been replaced. First time was in april of 1996. Dealer was called about the problem, problem has not been corrected.”

   NHTSA complaint #855060, filed 2000-01

   “Horn would intermittently operate. Vehicle taken to an independent repair shop, and informed consumer that air bag assembly would move around inside of the steering wheel and obstruct the operation of the horn.”

   NHTSA complaint #871739, filed 2000-09
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag does not deploy in a collision

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Several complaints describe the driver's side air bag not deploying in a frontal impact, with owners reporting injuries in some cases. One owner links the air bag warning or deployment sensor to the aftermath of a crash and notes brake problems in the same vehicle. Reported on vehicles with no mileage recorded in most cases; two related reports list 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light comes on briefly at start-up and then goes out; a light that stays on or never illuminates is worth diagnosing before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I'm not trying to do dual complaints. While braking ,prior to impact, there was a loud clicking coming from the ABS control unit under the hood, also the computer ECM, shows that the airbag deployed, serious lifetime injuries, I'm going into a powerchair, at 42 there is no surgery that will help me, and leslie is going to need back surgery, and a hip,and knee replacement!”

   NHTSA complaint #10132331, filed 2005-08, 110,000 miles

   “Upon starting, bearly touching gas pedal, engine roared then surged and accelerated out of control through garage, at approx. 25mph, also airbag fail to deploy.”

   NHTSA complaint #960661, filed 1995-02
5. 5
   Suspension

   Rear lower control arm cracks or breaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 46 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the rear lower control arm cracking or breaking at the stabilizer bar attachment, with one owner reporting the rear tire rubbing the fender and skidding after the arm failed. Another owner reports a clunk from underneath and rear control arm bolts retorqued by the dealer; one owner says recall coverage was denied based on the VIN. Reported on vehicles with no mileage recorded and on one at about 119,635 miles; several reports involve ball joint or control arm separation.

   Recall 96V020000

   What to check: Have the rear control arms and their attachment points inspected for cracks, and ask whether recall 96V020000 was performed. Clunks or a rear tire sitting close to the fender are worth investigating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon backing out of a parking space, the driver's side lower ball joint snapped at the nut, resulting in the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045234, filed 2003-11, 119,635 miles

   “Backing out; steering would not turn left/right. Went up on curb. Accelerated to get off. Called dealer & someone picked vehicle up. Ball joints disconnected. Bolts/nuts missing that are attached to ball joints.”

   NHTSA complaint #819769, filed 1997-11

Buying note. On a vehicle this age, the brake hydraulics and the seat belts deserve the most attention: confirm the ABS recall work was done and check for fluid leaks, then test every belt retractor. A pre-purchase inspection covering the rear control arms and ball joints is worthwhile given the reports of cracked or separated components.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.