Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Caprice.
The 1984 Chevrolet Caprice occupies a relatively quiet spot in a model lineage whose owner-reported complaint record swings dramatically across the 1990–2011 tracking window, peaking at 196 complaints in 1994 and bottoming out at a single complaint in 2003. Against that volatile backdrop, this particular model year registers just seven owner complaints and two recalls, with the powertrain standing out as the dominant trouble area—a contained issue profile that researchers can use as a baseline when comparing against the model's more turbulent years. Service specifications call for a 4-quart oil capacity with 20W-20, 20W-40, or 20W-50 viscosity grades, a notably broad oil weight window that reflects the era's lubrication conventions. Read together, the modest complaint volume and the surrounding boom-and-bust reliability pattern position the 1984 Caprice as one of the calmer reference points in a model history defined more by its extremes than by its median.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 213 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3532 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 55/45 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Caprice of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Caprice Classic Sedan 5.0L V8 | 12.60 sec | 18.90 sec | 150 hp | RWD |
| 1986 | Wagon 5.7L V8 | 7.20 sec | 15.50 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
| 1980 | Classic Coupe 5.0L V8 | 10.90 sec | 18.10 sec | 150 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | Classic Sport Coupe 5.7L V8 | 9.80 sec | 16.80 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | Classic Sedan 5.7L V8 | 10.80 sec | 18.20 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | Classic Sedan 5.0L V8 | 11.80 sec | 17.90 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | Classic Sedan 5.0L V8 | 10.10 sec | 17.60 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | Classic Sedan 5.0L V8 | 10.50 sec | 17.20 sec | 170 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 80W-90 · GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 4.3 qt |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record begins in 1990, several years after the 1984 Caprice, so there are no complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB counts available for the target year itself. Across the early‑1990s the data show a sharp rise in complaints (peaking at 196 in 1994) and recalls (10–11 annually), accompanied by a growing number of investigations and TSBs, before a steep decline to near‑zero activity by the late‑1990s. This upward‑then‑downward arc suggests that the generation experienced a period of heightened regulatory attention in the mid‑1990s, after which issues largely subsided. Because 1984 falls before this spike, the available federal data do not indicate any of the later‑generation problems for that model year. **Takeaway:** With no recorded complaints or recalls for 1984 in the provided dataset, the year appears free of the later‑generation trouble spikes, making it a comparatively safer candidate for purchase—though independent inspection remains essential.
All 7 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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.
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). Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.