1994 Chevrolet Caprice

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS." AT LOW TEMPERATURES, EXCESSIVE FRICTION CAN OCCUR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.

PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.

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 VERY LOW OR NO SPEED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. (REMAN FROM AC DELCO). I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FLUID WAS BROWN AND THICK. ALSO REPLACED PRESSURE HOSE, RETURN HOSE, STEERING BOX (REMAN FROM AUTOZONE) AND THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE IDLE CONTROL SWITCH AT THE SAME TIME. THE RESERVOIR WAS FLUSHED OF ALL THE BROWN FLUID. THE REMAN STEERING BOX WAS ALREADY PRIMED WITH NEW FLUID. AFTER MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR ABOUT A WEEK, SHE CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE CAR WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING!! . HERE IS MY OPINION HAS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE 4.3L V-8 MOTOR WAS USED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOT TURNING FAST ENOUGH AT IDLE SPEED. WHEN MY WIFE TAKES HER FOOT OFF THE GAS TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN (ITS SORT OF A HALF U TURN THE WAY THE ROAD IS LAID OUT) WHILE AT THE SAME TIME TURNING THE WHEEL, THE ENGINE IS AT IDLE SPEED AT THAT POINT. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS WHEN MANEUVERING IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP MORE OFTEN AND THE ENGINE IS AT IDLE SPEED ALSO. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND I CANNOT GET GM INTERESTED IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ANSWER THIS. MY WIFE ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS MORNING AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS ON WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE? PLEASE HELP. RONNIE BELITZ. *JB

Incident Apr 6, 2004

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

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

THE VEHICLE DIED AT 65 MPH,AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

FUEL PUMP FAILURE. WIRE CONNECTED TO FUEL PUMP MELTED BARE. WIRE CONNECTOR MELTED ONTO FUEL PUMP. WIRE HARNESS MELTED. *JB

Incident Apr 19, 2003

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

A DESCRIPTIVE LETTER REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN CORROSION FAILURE WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURERE WITH NO REPLY. DT

Incident Feb 3, 2000

WHILE DRIVING, BATTERY GAUGE GOES DOWN. CONNECTOR TO FUSE PANEL UP AGAINST FIREWALL HAS MELTED. *AK

IN THE FIRST INCIDENT THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. HAD THE TIRES VISUALLY INSPECTED; THEY SAW NO PROBLEMS. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT THE TREAD SEPARATED ALMOST COMPLETELY AND DAMAGED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND QUARTER PANEL. WHILE RETURNING FROM THIS INCIDENT ANOTHER TREAD SEPARATED ON THE RIGHT REAR POSITION. NO DAMAGE BECAUSE WAS AT LOW SPEED (ABOUT 30). TRIED TO REPORT THE FAILURES TO GENERAL; THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. REFUSED TO TAKE ANY INFORMATION AND HER SUPERVISOR NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. *AK

Incident Jun 8, 2000

METAL AROUND LATCH THAT HOLDS DOOR IS CRACKED, AND IS NOT CATCHING PROPERLY, DOOR DOES NOT SHUT TIGHTLY. *AK

Incident Dec 15, 2000

ABS VALVE ROTTED OUT, CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKES. *AK

Incident Nov 21, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Incident Oct 3, 2000

GENERAL RADIAL RIGHT REAR TIRE P215/75R15 DOT A3HFBBH054 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE AND WHEN INSPECTED TIRE ALSO FOUND IT WAS STILL INFLATED. *SLC

Incident Sep 20, 2000

CONSUMER IS BEING REFUSED RECALL 94V049, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MANY PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS RECALL RELATED COMPONENT: SUDDEN AND INCREASING CHARGING SYSTEM DISCHARGE, INTERMITTENT STARTER MALFUNCTION, PERIODIC OVERHEATING, AND MELTING AT THE CENTER STUD OF THE BATTER JUNCTION BOX, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW USING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLLER AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE WINDOW HAD TWISTED AND WAS OFF IT'S TRACK. THE WINDOW WAS TWISTED SO MUCH THAT THE UNDER LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDOW WAS TOUCHING THE OUTER DOOR SKIN, AND EVERY TIME THE CAR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE WINDOW WOULD STRIKE THE DOOR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW WAS GOING TO SHATTER SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES OF PUSHING AND PULLING ON THE WINDOW I FINALLY GOT IT BACK IN THE TRACK AND WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THAT WINDOW GUIDE ALSO FAILED. I AGAIN HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WINDOW SHATTERED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER ONE YEAR AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS BEFORE. I CONTACTED A AUTOMOTIVE GLASS REPAIR SHOP AND STARTED TELLING HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND HE STOPPED ME AND SAID "LET ME GUESS YOU HAVE A CHEVY IMPALA OR CAPRICE" AFTER I TOLD HIM THAT YES I DID IN FACT HAVE A CAPRICE HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $100 PER DOOR TO FIX, BUT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, THE PART COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME, IT IS A PLASTIC KNUCKLE THAT HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE. THE REASON I AM WRITING THIS IS BECAUSE THE SIDE WINDOWS COULD HAVE BROKE AND SENT GLASS FLYING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSE A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 6 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN CAPRICE'S ON-DUTY AND KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL IN USE AS TAXI CABS AND PATROL CARS IN THE UNTIED STATES AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Incident Aug 20, 2000

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 TIRES TREAD CAME OFF TOO. BOTH TIRES WERE MADE BY FIRESTONE. THE CUSTOMER WAS ASKING REIMBURSMENT FOR COST OF REPLACEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *YH

Incident Jun 15, 2000

CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY/DEFECTIVE. IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT LESS THEN 28,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident Jul 26, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK . THE CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE ANDTHE VEHICLE WAS STILL GOING. CONSUMER GOT THE SPEED DOWN TO TWENTY, AND SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF.*AK

Incident Jul 5, 2000

WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND THEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident Dec 7, 1999

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

Incident Mar 13, 2000

HORN ASSEMBLY IS HARD TO USE, AND DOSEN'T WORK WHEN NEEDED. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED..SAFETY HAZARD ,MANY MORE WILL REPORT IN DUE TIME. *AK

Incident Sep 15, 1999

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 45MPH IT WOULD MAKE HOWLING NOISES IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE PROBLEM WAS REAREND DIFFERENTIAL. ALSO, BRAKES WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLIED. CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM WITH NAKED EYE. TIRES WERE REPLACED & VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, AND FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD FAIL TO RETRACT OR LOCK. *AK

Incident Nov 12, 1997

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 SUBMERGED AND PREVENT IGNITION. *AK

Incident Nov 17, 1999

IN A SUDDEN ICE/SNOW STORM HIT A PATCH OF ICE & VEHICLE STARTED TO SLIDE TO LEFT TOWARDS TRAFFIC. SWERVED TO RIGHT & HIT A STUMP. NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BROKE. DRIVER HIT KNEE ON DASHBOARD. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT REMAINED INTACT. NO EMERGENCY TREATMENT. INSURANCE TOTALED VEHICLE. *AK

Incident Apr 11, 1999

WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVER WAY UPPER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED IN HALF. *AK

Incident Sep 30, 1999

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO CONSUMER NOTICED A SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHILE INSPECTING THE PROBLEM CONSUMER'S FINGER WAS SUFFERELY BURNED. *AK

Incident Sep 15, 1999

EXHAUST MANIFOLD MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING CAR TO HESITATE. THEN PULLED OFF AND LEAKED EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE CAR. *AK

Incident Apr 4, 1999

CONSUMER WANTS TO REPORT THE DESIGN AND POOR MATERIALS USED ON THE CONNECTOR FROM BATTERY CABLE TO THE FUSE BOX. BELIEVED THIS CONDITION CAUSED POOR CIRCUIT FLOW AND POOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. (CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Incident Jun 15, 1998

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 CHECK ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HE NOTICED EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED NEXT DAY BY MYSELF WITH A REMANUFACTURED UNIT FROM A PARTS SUPPLIER IN MY AREA. PITMAN ARM: PITMAN ARM WAS NOTICED TO BE WORN AND ALLOWED PLAY WITHIN STEERING ASSEMBLY. PITMAN ARM WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP OF MY CHOICE UPON INSPECTION OF IT AND OTHER AREAS OF THE CHASSIS PER MY REQUEST.

Incident Jul 20, 1999

AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE EXPERIENCED FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *YC

Incident Jun 4, 1999

PLASTIC LATCH HOUSING ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BROKE, CAUSING THE LIGHT TO STAY ON INSIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT, RESULTING IN A FIRE HAZARD. *AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, AND IT'S VERY HARD TO USE THE HORN. ALSO, THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK

Incident Apr 18, 1998

RETRACTOR SPRING ERODED PLASTIC COVER AND CAME OUT. SEAT BELT DOESN'T PROTECT DRIVER.

Incident May 13, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM BATTERY CABLE TO MAIN FUSE BLOCK OVERHEATING WHICH COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS STALLING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

Incident May 4, 1999

WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF DUE TO BALL JOINT NUT FALLING OFF. THIS CAUSED FRONT WHEEL TO THEN FALL OFF .IT WAS A LUCKY THING THAT I WASNT GOING FAST . A 615.33 REPAIR BILL. NOW IM AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OTHER SIDE. I DON'T TRUST IT. CHEVROLET SAID NO RECALL FOR IT, AND WOULDN'T HELP. SO AT LEAST I CAN COMPLAIN TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW HOW UNSAFE THIS VEHICLE IS. THANK YOU. *AK

Incident Sep 6, 1998

REAR BRAKES WERE NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY/BRAKE LINING GOT CONTAMINATED AND HAD BAD BRAKE FLUID, WHICH MAY CAUSE REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES, AND INSTALLED NEW BRAKE FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT THE FLUID NEEDS TO BE CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS. BUT THIS IS NOT LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. *AK

Incident Dec 10, 1998

WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 30 MPH OR LESSER SPEED, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR SERVICE BEFORE, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Incident Aug 16, 1996

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

Incident Apr 4, 1998

IN AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE A TIRE THE JACK BROKE.

Incident Jul 20, 1998

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. QCAW