1987 Chevrolet Caprice
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Chevrolet Caprice is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1987 Chevrolet Caprice at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Chevrolet Caprice recalls 4
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…
Fix: 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.
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 C…
Fix: 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).
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).
Fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.
Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1987 Chevrolet Caprice common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Chevrolet Caprice MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1987 Chevrolet Caprice costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
THROTTLE NON-RETURN Closed
NHTSA #C89001 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1989 · closed Jan 1990ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: BEING ANALYZED AS OF 16 MAR 88.ANALYSIS: IR BEING ANALYZED.PROPOSED ACTION:===
NHTSA #PE88010 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1987 · closed Apr 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L V6 ENGINE IS INSTALLED. *TT
Bulletin 000601019 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2000Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CAPRICE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL (BRACKET) MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INTERMITTENT INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO CAUSE THE SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY TO WEAR THROUGH THE BALL AND CATCH ON OTHER COMPONENTS POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A STUCK THROTTLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. C…
Transport Canada #1989092 · Jul 1989Powertrain
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 200-4R TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MANUAL VALVE LINK. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE LINK SEPARATING, RESULTING IN A GEAR SELECTION NOT CORRELATING TO THE SHIFT INDICATOR. ALSO, THE CAR COULD BE STARTED IN GEAR. THUS, WHEN SELECTING A GEAR OR STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE IN AN UNANTICIPATED DIRECTION…
Transport Canada #1987114 · Oct 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Chevrolet Caprice
The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet in North America from 1965 through the 1996 model years. All versions of the full-size Chevrolet models reached their peak in 1965, with over a million units sold. It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s and early 1970s, during a time when its production also included the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala trims.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.