2011 Chevrolet Caprice problems

General information about Chevrolet-Caprice
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

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.

Social links

Common 2011 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Chevrolet Caprice 2011, here are some common problems associated with this car:

Structure Body Issues:
- Description: Owners reported finding cracks in the tension holding brace in the lower suspension sub-frame, indicating an engineering defect in the weldment process. This issue was discovered during maintenance activities like changing the differential oil.
- Consequences: The cracks could compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle, potentially leading to safety hazards.
- Incident Details: The problem was identified in a car with 54,000 miles, purchased from a city auction, and was exacerbated by an engine noise issue, possibly related to piston slap or valve lifter malfunction.
- Location: Merced, CA
- Source: NHTSA Web Site
- VIN Pattern: 6G1MK5E22BLXXXXXX
- Mileage at Failure: 35,000 miles
Suspension Problems:
- Description: Complaints included issues with the suspension system, although specific details were not provided in the search results.
- Consequences: Suspension problems can affect the handling and stability of the vehicle, leading to a less comfortable and safe driving experience.
- Location: Merced, CA
- Source: NHTSA Web Site
- VIN Pattern: 6G1MK5E22BLXXXXXX
- Mileage at Failure: 35,000 miles
Electric Power Steering Rack Failures:
- Description: Some 2014 Chevrolet Caprice models experienced failures in the electric power steering racks, affecting approximately 30% of the vehicles.
- Consequences: Steering issues can pose significant safety risks, impacting the driver's ability to control the vehicle effectively.
- Recommendation: An updated design was mentioned to address this issue, emphasizing the importance of checking the steering system in used cars.
- Location: Texas
- Source: New Caprice Forum
Transmission Problems:
- Description: General Motors recalled 7,601 Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicles due to transmission-related issues. Drivers could shift the transmission out of park without pressing the brake pedal, move the shift lever between gears without pressing the shift lever lock button, or face difficulty shifting between gears.
- Consequences: These transmission issues could lead to safety concerns and affect the vehicle's drivability.
- Recall: 2011-13 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
- Location: U.S.
- Source: Detroit Free Press

These problems highlight various safety and performance issues that owners of the Chevrolet Caprice 2011 have encountered. Regular maintenance and thorough inspections can help address these issues promptly to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety on the road.

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 is the recall on the Chevy Caprice?

MARCH 2016 -- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles manufactured May 15, 2013, to March 3, 2016. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

How many miles per gallon does a 2011 Chevy Caprice get?

With the 6.0-liter V8 engine that makes 355 horsepower, the Caprice can get up to 15 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

What engine is in a 2011 Chevy Caprice?

The LFX-code 3.6L V-6 is the standard engine in the Caprice PPV, with the 6.0L V-8 optional.

What engine is in a 2011 Chevy Caprice?

The LFX-code 3.6L V-6 is the standard engine in the Caprice PPV, with the 6.0L V-8 optional.

What transmission is in a 2011 Caprice?

The Caprice's 6.0-liter V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with an estimated 384 lb-ft of torque. It is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that is performance-calibrated for police duty.

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 is the top speed of a 2011 Caprice?

The Caprice PPV took top honors the first day of testing with the best top speed of 148 mph and the best 0-60 time with a 6.15 second time with E85 fuel.

2011 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:

Suspension problems
Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Chevrolet Caprice vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2011 Chevrolet Caprice complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice.

2018-12-25

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2017-12-01
VIN: 6G1MK5E22BL
Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Summary: WENT UNDER THE CAR, JUST PURCHASED FROM CITY OF WALNUT CREEK AUCTIONS, A 54K MILE EX-PATROL CAR...TO CHANGE THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL. FOUND TWO CRACKS ON WHAT IS A TENSION HOLDING BRACE IN THE LOWER SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME. SIMILAR ON EACH SIDE. OBVIOUS ENGINEERING DEFECT COMPOUNDED ON HOW THE WELDMENT WAS DONE. I PHOTO'D THE TWO SIMILAR CRACKS, THEN DRILLED AT THE END OF THE CRACK TO RADIUS THE STRESS POINT IT UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. THE CAR HAS BEEN UNUSED SINCE JAN 18' AND IS NOT RELIABLE UNTIL THE ENGINE NOISE IS REMEDIED, ANOTHER DEFECT I AM NOT SURE OF WHAT PART YET. IT IS A SCRAPING TICKING SOUND, LIKELY PISTON SLAP OR VALVE LIFTER. THE CITY WOULD HAVE CHANGED/ MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE TILL THE LAST 5K MILES BEFORE IT WAS "RETIRED." IT IS MOST NOISY WHEN COLD, AND MORE PREVALENT THAN NOT. LIKELY THE CRACKS STARTED MANY THOUSAND MILES BEFORE ITS 54K I BOUGHT IT AT.

Add Complaint

2011 Chevrolet Caprice recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice.

2015-06-23

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.

2014-09-09

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured March 24, 2011, to December 6, 2013. The affected vehicles are Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV), equipped with a specific transmission selector lever that contains two pins that can become displaced. If the pins get displaced, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, And Transmission Braking Effect", and No. 114, "Theft Protection And Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the transmission can be moved from "Park" without depressing the brake pedal, unintended motion may occur increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the ignition key can be removed without the transmission being in "Park," the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin and attach a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention enhancement clip, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14549.

2014-09-09

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2011 Chevrolet Caprice problems:

Any issues owning a Caprice? - New Caprice - Discussion forums

https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1116

1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7 2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87 2019 Chevrolet ...

Chevrolet Caprice Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/chevrolet/caprice

Top Chevrolet Caprice Problems · Leaking Water Pump May Cause Coolant Loss and Overheating · Engine Control Module (ECM) can fail · Transmission Extension Housing ...