RecallMyCar

1979 Chevrolet Caprice Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1979 Chevrolet Caprice, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA
0 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire

3 safety recalls for the 1979 Chevrolet Caprice

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 79V247000 Reported 1,326,404 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The heads may break off the front outboard seat belt anchor bolts during normal vehicle operation even under no load conditions. This is due to the combination of bolts used, high installation torque and arrangement of the body anchorage.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace all original equipment front outboard seat belt anchor bolts on the affected vehicles at no cost to owner.

  2. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 79V161000 Reported 476,245 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 79V142000 Reported 15,328 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On the involved vehicles the brake stoplight and cruise control switch which is operated by the brake pedal may have been assembled with an incorrect lubricant on the actuating plunger. This can cause the rear brake stoplights to become inoperative and the cruise control, if activated, to stay electrically engaged.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake stoplight and cruise control switch at no cost to owner.

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1979 Chevrolet Caprice have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Transmission forward clutch failed. *skd”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 17, 1995 · Power train

“Catalytic coverter failed, causing fuel lines to catch on fire. (ohio state police report) *skd”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 13, 1995 · Engine and engine cooling

Compare Chevrolet Caprice model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Caprice model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1965 Chevrolet Caprice30
1966 Chevrolet Caprice20
1967 Chevrolet Caprice20
1968 Chevrolet Caprice20
1969 Chevrolet Caprice40
1971 Chevrolet Caprice30
1972 Chevrolet Caprice20
1973 Chevrolet Caprice10
1974 Chevrolet Caprice20
1976 Chevrolet Caprice10
1977 Chevrolet Caprice32
1978 Chevrolet Caprice20
1979 Chevrolet Caprice33
1980 Chevrolet Caprice20
1981 Chevrolet Caprice10
1982 Chevrolet Caprice10
1983 Chevrolet Caprice08
1984 Chevrolet Caprice17
1985 Chevrolet Caprice34
1986 Chevrolet Caprice130
1987 Chevrolet Caprice217
1988 Chevrolet Caprice112
1989 Chevrolet Caprice018
1990 Chevrolet Caprice16
1991 Chevrolet Caprice5131
1992 Chevrolet Caprice689
1993 Chevrolet Caprice161
1994 Chevrolet Caprice6146
1995 Chevrolet Caprice788
1996 Chevrolet Caprice465
1997 Chevrolet Caprice03
2003 Chevrolet Caprice01
2011 Chevrolet Caprice31
2012 Chevrolet Caprice30
2013 Chevrolet Caprice46
2014 Chevrolet Caprice312

Checking a specific 1979 Chevrolet Caprice

How do I know if my 1979 Chevrolet Caprice has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1979 Chevrolet Caprice; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V142000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.