1977 Chevrolet Caprice recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the 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 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…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 CAPRICE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 CAPRICE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V161000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; STORAGE COMPARTMENT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE ABSENCE OF OUTSIDE HELP, THE CHILD WOULDSUFFOCATE.NOTE: THE OWNER IS ADVISED TO KEEP THIS COMPARTMENT LOCKED EXCEPT WHILE EITHERLOADING OR UNLOADING IT.
3. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 CAPRICE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 76V175000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: GENERAL MOTOR CAMPAIGN NO (CHEVROLET) 77C02 (PONTIAC) 77-C-4 (BUICK) 77-C-5.POSSIBILITY THAT THE TURN SIGNAL OPERATING UNIT OR VEHICLES WITH TILT STEERINGCOLUMNS MAY NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108.THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ACTUATOR PIVOT PIN WHICH MAY WORK OUT OF THE PIVOT,RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO USE TURN SIGNAL TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS OF YOURINTENTIONS TO CHANGE LANES OR TURN, CAUSING POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH. (CORRECTBY INSPECTING AND INSTALLING A RETAINER TO PRECLUDE PIVOT PIN DISENGAGEMENT).PASSENGER VEHICLE.
4. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1977 CAPRICE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 76V132000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: GENERAL MOTOR CAMPAIGN NO 77-C-1. POSSIBILITY THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATESHAFT MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH COUPLING RETAINER LOCKING TABS NOT BENT OVERPROPERLY OR ONE OR MORE OF THE LOWER FLEXIBLE COUPLING RIVETS IMPROPERLYPEENED. IF EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOULD SEPARATE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND VEHICLE CRASH MAY OCCURWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. (CORRECT BY INSPECTING, AND REPLACING SHAFT WHERENECESSARY). PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1977 Chevrolet Caprice owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
04/04/2005 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DRIVER RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ,AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
06/11/1997 · Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.