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1989 Chevrolet Caprice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Caprice.

The 1989 Chevrolet Caprice, documented in its overview with a 4.0‑quart oil capacity and 10W30 API oil viscosity, entered production with 20 recorded owner complaints, the majority relating to seat belts and involving two recalls. Its early complaint count falls below the model’s later peak of 196 complaints in 1994 yet exceeds the single complaint recorded in the lowest year of the later complaint history, suggesting an initial reliability level that precedes the more pronounced issues that later emerged. Overall, the 1989 figure marks the beginning of a reliability trajectory that would vary, with later years showing both higher and lower complaint volumes.

Model year2014 2013 2012 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12708762 alt 12731179
Engine air filter	06484235 alt 06483645
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued · alt 5651803
Spark plug	19307138 alt 19354415
Serpentine belt	09433769 alt 09433770
Thermostat	10207373 alt 22538325

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	215.7 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	58.3 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	4081 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

7.2–12.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 1986 Wagon

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
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
1991	Wagon 5.0L V8	10.50 sec	17.70 sec	170 hp	RWD
1986	Wagon 5.7L V8	7.20 sec	15.50 sec	170 hp	RWD
1982	Caprice Classic Sedan 5.0L V8	12.60 sec	18.90 sec	150 hp	RWD
1980	Classic Coupe 5.0L V8	10.90 sec	18.10 sec	150 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 10W30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.3 qt
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.4 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1989 Chevrolet Caprice represents the model year immediately preceding the federal record timeline that commences in 1990, placing it at the generation's outset before documented complaint volumes surged. Specific federal data for 1989 identifies 4 complaints concerning seat belts, 3 regarding hydraulic service brakes, and 2 each pertaining to tires, vehicle speed control, crashes, and fires, though the data does not specify root causes for these incidents. By comparison, the 1990 model year registers only 6 total complaints and 2 recalls, with subsequent years escalating dramatically to 169 complaints and 10 recalls in 1991 and peaking at 196 complaints in 1994. This trajectory indicates 1989 predates the systemic reliability issues that characterize the 1991–1996 period, despite showing discrete early warning signs in safety-critical systems. Given its position before the high-volume complaint years and modest documented issue counts relative to the generation's later peak, 1989 emerges as a comparatively favorable vintage for acquisition, provided the vehicle undergoes rigorous pre-purchase inspection given its age.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’03 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Tires2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Structure2

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Unknown Or Other1

Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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… 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…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caprice. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.0 qt Engine oil filter 12708762 Engine air filter 06484235 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 19307138

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Caprice take?

4.0 qt of 10W30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Caprice have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.