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1972 Chevrolet Caprice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1972 Caprice.

The 1972 Chevrolet Caprice arrives in the historical record with a model complaint history that spans only the 1990–2011 production years, peaking at 196 complaints for the 1994 model year and bottoming out at a single complaint for 2003; because no reliability data is logged for the 1972 vintage itself, its place in the nameplate's long-term durability arc cannot be established from the available records.

Model year2014 2013 2012 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1972

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	217.3 in
Overall width	78.3 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	119.7 in
Curb weight	3920 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.

8.0–12.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 1968 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1968	Coupe 7.0L V8	8.00 sec	16.20 sec	385 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
1965	Custom Sedan 6.5L V8	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	250 hp	RWD
1980	Classic Coupe 5.0L V8	10.90 sec	18.10 sec	150 hp	RWD
1982	Caprice Classic Sedan 5.0L V8	12.60 sec	18.90 sec	150 hp	RWD

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

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

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

73V013000Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody ShieldsReported 24/01/1973

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE… Remedy: INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

72V185000SeatsReported 19/07/1972

Remedy:

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.

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes

Frequently asked

Does the 1972 Caprice have open recalls?

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