PlainCars

CHEVROLET CAPRICE · model year

1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE

41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1986CHEVROLETCAPRICE carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 CAPRICE is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components with 11 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1986 CAPRICE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

41
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

41 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM2
SEATS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1

Recent Complaints

20140508STEERING

1986 CHEVY CAPRICE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION IS DAMAGED AND STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER THE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE RETURNED THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER, AND INFORMED HIM, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *JB

20140508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1986 CHEVY CAPRICE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION IS DAMAGED AND STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES AFTER THE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. HE RETURNED THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALER CALLED THE CONSUMER, AND INFORMED HIM, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. *JB

20010621STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK

20010621FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE HOOD AND TRUNK, WAS NEVER PAINTED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK

20010227SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

THE HOUSING OF THE POWER MASTER CYLINDER (CAST) BROKE AND OPENED UP WHICH CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. NLM

20010123TIRES:TREAD/BELT

VEHICLE HAD VIBRATION AND BUMPING SOUND IN FRONT END, UPON INSPECTION OF FRONT END CONSUMER NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLISTER 2/3 AROUND ONE TIRE AND 1/4 AROUND THE OTHER (FIRESTONE TRIUMPH 2000- 205-75-R15 M/S)

20001120TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (FIRESTONE SUPREME 225/75-15). NLM

19990506SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

19990219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK

19990217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED.

19990121FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

19980811SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

VEHICLE STALLED AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEY GOT HARD, THE PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE AT AL., DRIVING AT 10 MPH, INCLINE TOWARDS RED LIGHT, CAR WOULD NOT STOP, MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE REPAIRED BEFORE, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF VARIOUS WORKMANSHIP. *AK

19980811ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLED AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEY GOT HARD, THE PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE AT AL., DRIVING AT 10 MPH, INCLINE TOWARDS RED LIGHT, CAR WOULD NOT STOP, MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE REPAIRED BEFORE, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF VARIOUS WORKMANSHIP. *AK

19980715SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.

19980611SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE BRAKES GOT HARD AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. DRIVER HAD TO STAND ON THE PEDAL WITH TWO FEET TO STOP, SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THESE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER USED. DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE BRAKES WITH THE SAME STYLE FOR A FEE. WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES AT 45-55MPH ON WET AND DRY PAVEMENTS THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK

19980512SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, IT GOES TO MANUAL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS (30-40 MPH) THE PEDAL REMAINS STIFF. THE PROLBEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

19970325SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

POWER MASTER BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAKS , CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE POOR RECALL REPAIR.

19961231TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TWO DUNLOP TIRES REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTS, 1 RADIAL BELT FAILURE/THE OTHER HAD 'BALLONS' RISING THROUGH THE TREAD.

19960903FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL LINE AND VAPOUR LINE HAS CATASTROPHIC RUST OUT OF ABOUT 3 OR 4 FT. FUEL LINE LEAKS NEAR AREA OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE.*AK *SLC

19960601SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED. *DSH

Compare 1986CHEVROLETCAPRICE to Similar Vehicles

CAPRICE vs FORDF-150 → CAPRICE vs FORDEXPLORER → CAPRICE vs JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE → CAPRICE vs FORDESCAPE →

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module

PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Fuel Line Leak

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE have?▼
The 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE has 41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1986 CHEVROLET CAPRICE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.