1988 Chevrolet Caprice problems

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The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s and early 1970s, which, during its lifetime, included the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala.

Introduced in mid-1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop, Chevrolet offered a full line of Caprice models for the 1966 and subsequent model years, including a "formal hardtop" coupe and an Estate station wagon. The 1971 to 1976 models are the largest Chevrolets ever built. The downsized 1977 and restyled 1991 models were awarded Motor Trend Car of the Year. Production ended in 1996.

From 2011 to 2017, the Caprice nameplate returned to North America as a full-size, rear wheel drive police vehicle, a captive import from Australia built by General Motors's subsidiary Holden—the police vehicle is a rebadged version of the Holden WM/WN Caprice. The nameplate also had a civilian and police presence in the Middle East from 1999 to 2017, where the imported Holden Statesman/Caprice built by Holden was marketed as the Chevrolet Caprice in markets such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

1988 Chevrolet Caprice

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Common 1988 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Common Problems with the Chevrolet Caprice 1988

  • Engine Starting Problems
    The 1988 Chevrolet Caprice may have issues starting, making a clicking noise, and losing power in the cabin when trying to start.
  • Ignition Switch Problems
    The ignition switch may cause problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice, preventing the car from starting or turning over.
  • Timing Problems
    The 1988 Chevrolet Caprice may have timing problems, particularly with the timing chain.
  • Steering and Suspension Problems
    The 1988 Chevrolet Caprice may have issues with the steering and suspension, causing the car to wander.

In conclusion, the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice may have several common problems, including ignition, engine starting, ignition switch, timing, and steering and suspension issues. These problems may be due to various factors, including faulty parts, corrosion, and wear and tear. It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle.

1988 Chevrolet Caprice engine

What engine is in a 1988 Caprice?

Caprice is powered by a 4.3-liter, fuel-injected, V-6 engine as standard, a carbureted 5-liter V-8 as an option.

What year Caprice is most popular?

The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold.

What year was the Caprice fuel-injected?

Standard equipment for all models included tinted glass, a remote-control driver's mirror, automatic headlight on/off, and an AM/FM stereo. A police version of the Caprice wagon was made; it had the code 1A2 and was designed for special service use. 1989 marked the first year of a fuel-injected V8 engine.

What engine did the Caprice have?

Caprice PPV performance

The LFX-code 3.6L V-6 is the standard engine in the Caprice PPV, with the 6.0L V-8 optional. The 301-horsepower (224 kW) LFX is a 60-degree design, with the cylinder block and cylinder heads cast in aluminum for low weight.

What engine is in a 1988 Caprice?

Caprice is powered by a 4.3-liter, fuel-injected, V-6 engine as standard, a carbureted 5-liter V-8 as an option.

What year Caprice is most popular?

1965

The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold.

What year was the Caprice fuel-injected?

Standard equipment for all models included tinted glass, a remote-control driver's mirror, automatic headlight on/off, and an AM/FM stereo. A police version of the Caprice wagon was made; it had the code 1A2 and was designed for special service use. 1989 marked the first year of a fuel-injected V8 engine.

What engine did the Caprice have?

Caprice PPV performance

The LFX-code 3.6L V-6 is the standard engine in the Caprice PPV, with the 6.0L V-8 optional. The 301-horsepower (224 kW) LFX is a 60-degree design, with the cylinder block and cylinder heads cast in aluminum for low weight.

1988 Chevrolet Caprice car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Caprice problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Tires problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Chevrolet Caprice vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Chevrolet Caprice complaints

The NHTSA has received 15 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice.

2000-09-29

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G1BU51H0JA
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: WAS COMING OUT OF A REST STOP AT 75MPH & FELT A BUMP. PULLED VEHICLE OVER & CHECKED THE TIRES & FOUND NOTHING WRONG. LATER, SAW A SLIVER OF THE TREAD COMING OFF & PULLED OVER AGAIN. STILL NOTICED NOTHING. HAD PUT VEHICLE ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE TIRE EXPLODED. STOPPED VEHICLE. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED, BUT TTREAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. WENT TO NEXT REST STOP & REPLACED TIRE WITH THE SPARE. DO NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRE. *AK
2000-09-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-05
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1G1BU51H8JR
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME AT 9:30P.M. AND THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS GOT VERY DIM AND SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD. MY SON HAPPENED TO BE BEHIND HER AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE CAR. HE PULLED HER OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY GOT APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET FROM THE CAR AND IT EXPLODED IN A BALL OF FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.*AK
1999-04-20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
1998-05-26

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT HAVE SHOULDER BELTS ONLY LAP BELTS.
1997-12-30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-12-03
  • VIN: 1G1BN51H2JR
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WIRING CONNECTIONS IN THE TILT-STEERING WHEEL TOO TIGHT AND PULL OUT WHEN TURNING VEHICLE, CAUSING TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.
1997-08-14

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G1BUS1H5JR
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCKS-UP IN COLD WEATHER.
1997-08-14

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G1BUS1H5JR
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WASHER DOES NOT FUNCTION IN COLD WEATHER AND WITH DIFFICULTY IN WARM WEATHER.
1997-08-14

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G1BUS1H5JR
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT RESET.
1995-10-30

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS ACCELERATING TO HIGHER SPEEDS THAN DESIRED. TT
1995-09-08

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-06
  • VIN: 1G1BN51H3JR
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: STABILIZER BAR CRACKED, RESULTING IN UNCONTROLABLE WHEEL ACTION. TT
1995-07-17

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-17
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY . PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
1995-06-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-19
  • VIN: 1G1BU51H0JR
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY STALLS WHEN WARMING UP, AND THE VEHICLE HAS NO ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WORKS FINE AFTER SERVICE FOR A WHILE AND THEN BACK TO THE SAME
1995-05-30

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: THE FRONT SEAT BRACKET BROKE TWO TIME AND IS BROKE NOW. TT
1995-03-14

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-10-14
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES WHILE DRIVING. MUST DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD TO RESUME NORMAL SPEED. TT
1995-03-14

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-10-14
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES WHILE DRIVING. MUST DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD TO RESUME NORMAL SPEED. TT

1988 Chevrolet Caprice recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice.

2007-10-24
  • Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
  • Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
  • Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
2006-05-19
  • Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
  • Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
  • Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
1989-06-16
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
  • Consequence: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
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1988 Chevrolet Caprice photo