1994 Chevrolet CAPRICE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
146 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data updated: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 146 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
23
15.8%
Steering behavior
13
8.9%
Electrical and battery issues
12
8.2%
Engine operation
7
4.8%
Transmission and shifting
4
2.7%
Fuel system concerns
2
1.4%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
9
Vehicle Speed Control
8
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
6
Electrical System
5
Electrical System:Horn
5
Electrical System:Wiring
5
Tires
5
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
WHEN STEERING IS TILTED IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION A FUSE WOULD BLOW OUT. *AK THE FUSE THAT BLOWS IS FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. CONSUMER THINKS IT A PINCHED WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TITLED AND THE WIPERS ARE TURNED ON. A LIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE TILTED WHEEL WILL BLOW THE FUSE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. *PH *NLM
MY WIFE'S 1994 CAPRICE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT NON WORKING POWER STEERING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT IS A TOTAL LOST OF STEERING AS IF THE BELT HAD BROKEN OR THE MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL LENGTHY SERVICE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WHO ACTED LIKE WE WERE CRAZY, NOTHING WAS EVER DONE TO THE CAR. RECENTLY (2 MONTHS AGO) MY WIFE STARTED SAYING THAT NOW THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND SHE HAS ACTUALLY HAD TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T TURN LEFT. IT ALSO WAS FAILING QUITE OFTEN WHILE TURNING AT VE…
VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION OVERHEATING AT THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL CENTER STUD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE PLASTIC COVER, T PLASTIC STUD HOUSING, AND/OR THE STUD ITSELF MELTED. THERE WAS GENERAL RECALL 94C59 FOR THE ELECTRICAL CENTER BATTERY STUD. THE VIN NUMBER WAS WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, INDICATING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A POLICE CAR, TAXI , OR A SPECIAL SERVICE WAGON.*AK
VEHICLE PURCAHSED USED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, EVEN HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM EXPERIENCED AGAIN. MECHANIC FOUND "BATTERY STUD" LOCATED AT "ELECTRICAL CENTER" WAS LOOSE. HE "PATCHED" IT UP. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH "ALLDATA" THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM INDENTIFIED IN "CAMPAIGN 94-C-59" & A RECALL WAS ORDERED. CHEVROLET CLAIMS THERE ARE "NO OPEN RECALLS" FOR MY VEHICLE.
THERE'S A DESIGN FLAW IN VEHICLES' CAP ROTOR DISTRIBUTOR. IT IS LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO THE GROUND, SO WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN, WATER GOES INTO THE ROTOR AND MOISTURE IS ACCUMULATED. THIS RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. MANUFACTURE WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE.*AK
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE DUE TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING--DETERMINED IT WAS A FUEL PROBLEM. AFTER REMOVING THE FUEL TANK FROM A 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE POLICE PACKAGE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A SEVERE OVERHEATING/MINOR FIRE WHICH CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE INSULATION OF THE GRAY POWER WIRE AND CHAFING OF THE BLACK GROUND WIRE WHICH FEED THE FUEL PUMP. THESE TWO WIRES CAME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO SHORT OUT. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. LUCKILY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL WITHIN THE TANK TO KEEP THE PUMP S…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
146 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
6.2%Usable mileage9 / 146 records
86.3%Valid incident date126 / 146 records
100.0%Valid filing date146 / 146 records
86.3%Ordered incident and filing dates126 / 146 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2003
2011
2012
2013
2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Horn
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
0Unavailable
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Vehicle Speed Control
Too few reports for a range
200,000 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10040204 · 200,000 mi
DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER WAS 35 MPH OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS GOING FASTER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED. DIGITAL GAS GAUGE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING ALTHOUGH THE GAUGE READ HALF OF TANK. THE CAUSE OF BOTH FAILURES WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
VEHICLE PURCAHSED USED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, EVEN HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM EXPERIENCED AGAIN. MECHANIC FOUND "BATTERY STUD" LOCATED AT "ELECTRICAL CENTER" WAS LOOSE. HE "PATCHED" IT UP. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH "ALLDATA" THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM INDENTIFIED IN "CAMPAIGN 94-C-59" & A RECALL WAS ORDERED. CHEVROLET CLAIMS THERE ARE "NO OPEN RECALLS" FOR MY VEHICLE.
DT: GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO HONOR A RECALL 94-C-59 ON 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. CAR OVERHEATED IN THE ELECTRICAL CENTER, THE COVER MELTED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING HAS BEEN MANIPULATED IN SOME WAY. THE CAR WILL START BACK THEN. GENERAL MOTORS SAID CAR WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. THEY SAY THIS RECALL IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WITH 2 REPRESENTATIVES A GM. THE CONSUMER …
FIRESTONE TIRE FR380 WS P225/75R15 55,000 MILE TIRE. AFTER 12,000 MILES TIRE S ARE SHOWING STEEL BELTS THROUGH THE TREAD. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ALIGNMENT VERIFIED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH ALIGNMENT OR SUSPENSION. TIRES PURCHASED MARCH 13, 2008. *TR
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2013: 6 complaints · 2014: 10 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2013
0
2
6
2014
7
10
10
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2013
6
0
0
2014
12
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Vehicle Speed Control
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Electrical System
Electrical System:Horn
Electrical System:Wiring
Tires
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
0
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
Electrical System
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
0
Electrical System:Horn
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
Electrical System:Wiring
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
Tires
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
5 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
7 mentions · 4.8% of complaints
Median mileage: 89,300 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10006122
THERE'S A DESIGN FLAW IN VEHICLES' CAP ROTOR DISTRIBUTOR. IT IS LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO THE GROUND, SO WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN, WATER GOES INTO THE ROTOR AND MOISTURE IS ACCUMULATED. THIS RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. MANUFACTURE WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE.*AK
VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION OVERHEATING AT THE UNDER HOOD ELECTRICAL CENTER STUD. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE PLASTIC COVER, T PLASTIC STUD HOUSING, AND/OR THE STUD ITSELF MELTED. THERE WAS GENERAL RECALL 94C59 FOR THE ELECTRICAL CENTER BATTERY STUD. THE VIN NUMBER WAS WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, INDICATING THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A POLICE CAR, TAXI , OR A SPECIAL SERVICE WAGON.*AK
DT: GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO HONOR A RECALL 94-C-59 ON 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE CLASSIC. CAR OVERHEATED IN THE ELECTRICAL CENTER, THE COVER MELTED. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING HAS BEEN MANIPULATED IN SOME WAY. THE CAR WILL START BACK THEN. GENERAL MOTORS SAID CAR WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. THEY SAY THIS RECALL IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WITH 2 REPRESENTATIVES A GM. THE CONSUMER …
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 57 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN DRIVER TURNED OFF THE SWITCH OR HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. DRIVER TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. *AK
MY WIFE'S 1994 CAPRICE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT NON WORKING POWER STEERING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. IT IS A TOTAL LOST OF STEERING AS IF THE BELT HAD BROKEN OR THE MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL LENGTHY SERVICE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WHO ACTED LIKE WE WERE CRAZY, NOTHING WAS EVER DONE TO THE CAR. RECENTLY (2 MONTHS AGO) MY WIFE STARTED SAYING THAT NOW THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND SHE HAS ACTUALLY HAD TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T TURN LEFT. IT ALSO WAS FAILING QUITE OFTEN WHILE TURNING AT VE…
ALTERNATOR: VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA, DRIVER PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY WHEN IT START TO RAIN (DOWN POOR), SAT NAD WAITED FOR RAIN TO STOP ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHILE VEHICLE WAS SHUT-0FF AT THE KEY. RAIN STOPPED AND VEHICLE WAS REASTARTED WITH NO NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD, NO FURTHER INCIDENT UNTIL A WEEK LATER, WHEN DRIVER PULLED INTO A RELATIVES DRIVEWAY WHEN NOISE STARTED AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT VEHICLE WAS SHUT-OFF AT KEY AGAIN AND ALLOWED TO COOL FOR TEN MINUTES, WHEN RELATIVE OPENED HOOD TO…
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, HALF OF THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE PEELED OFF. ENTIRE TREAD PEELED OFF THE LEFT RIGHT TIRE 3 DAYS BEFORE. TIRE SIZE P225/75R15 AND DOT # HYHHF6A096, HYHHF6A535. TIRES WERE ON A 1994, CHEVROLET CAPRICE. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 34,000. TIRES WERE TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK AT FIRST, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL. HALF OF THE SECOND TI…