Total Complaints
19 filings
CHEVROLET CAPRICE · model year
1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
19 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989CHEVROLETCAPRICE carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 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 1989 CAPRICE is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 4 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and suspension:front (1). 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 1989 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.
19
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20170204UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CUT OFF I LOSS POWER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME IN MACON COUNTY,ALABAMA. THE CAR WAS LATER STOLEN FROM MY HOME ADDRESS OF 401 BOYD ROAD SHORTER,ALABAMA 36075. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE MACON COUNTY, SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT.
Mileage: 70,000
20090929TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED FOUR TIRES FROM A GOODYEAR TIRE COMPANY. THE TIRES HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE TIRE BRAND IS GOODYEAR INTEGRITY, SIZE P215/75R15, AND THE DOT# IS MDHF1MHR. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE TIRES FOR A NEW SET; HOWEVER, THE NEW TIRES HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AS MUCH AS THE FIRST SET OF TIRES. A GOODYEAR TIRE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL. A TECHNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE, OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE TIRE DEALER TO ACCEPT THE TIRES IN EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND AND WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Mileage: 141,081
20041019SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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. *JB
Mileage: 29,000
20020514SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SEATBELT LATCH WON'T LOCK.*AK
20010330SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD BONDING TO BRAKE PAD BACKING PLATE FAILED CAUSING PAD TO FAIL IN SHEAR.*AK
20010314SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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. *AK
20000821TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PEOO 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND IT TORE A HOLE THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE. TIRE WAS FLAT. FIRESTONE, BRIDGESTONE, SIZE P21575 SR15. CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRSTONE, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE HE BOUGHT IT FROM. *AK BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE P215/75/R15 *MW
19990826SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
INTERMITTENTLY DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT CATCH , WHEN IT DOES CATCH IT BECOMES UNBUCKLED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19990706CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY OTHER VEHICLE. *AK
19990106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
19990106SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES INADEQUATE FOR THE SIZE OF VEHICLE.
19980429STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PAINT IS CRACKING OFF BODY OF VEHICLE.
19970204FireSTRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE SEATS OVERHEATED AND THEN A FIRE STARTED ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF DOOR AREA. *AK
19961101FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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. *AK
19960509FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
BUTTONS THAT CONTROL POWER SEATS ON DRIVERS DOOR, CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE UNATTENDED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
19960105CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE STICKING CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT PE92-090. TT
19950705SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SIDE BUCKLE HAS FAILED W/INSERT COMPLETELY GONE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
19950615POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *SKD
19950511SUSPENSION:FRONT
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION REAL HARD. TT
Compare 1989CHEVROLETCAPRICE to Similar Vehicles
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE have?▼
The 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE has 19 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 CHEVROLET CAPRICE is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1989 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
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.