Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Caprice.
The 1981 Chevrolet Caprice enters the record as a model year that predates the available complaint data, which covers 1990 through 2011 and peaks at 196 complaints for the 1994 model year while bottoming out at a single complaint for 2003. Because this tracking window opens nearly a decade after the 1981 edition, that vehicle sits entirely outside the reliability arc those figures describe. That absence means the model year holds no position in the documented complaint chronology, leaving its long-term durability profile unmeasured by these metrics.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 212.2 in |
| Overall width | 75.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3622 lb |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1986 | Wagon 5.7L V8 | 7.20 sec | 15.50 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 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
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.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH A BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR USE IN DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLES. THE INCORRECT BRACKET MAY CAUSE THE SERVICE BRAKES TO REMAIN PARTIALLY APPLIED… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.