Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Caprice.
The 1983 Chevrolet Caprice is characterized by engine maintenance requirements calling for 4 qt of oil with viscosities such as 20W-20, 20W-40, or 20W-50. Reliability records for this specific year show 8 total owner complaints and 1 recall, with the primary concern categorized under Engine & Engine Cooling. Although the available model complaint history spans 1990-2011 with a peak of 196 complaints in 1994, the 1983 model sits outside this range with a distinct reliability profile defined by its lower complaint count.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 213 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3532 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1986 | Wagon 5.7L V8 | 7.20 sec | 15.50 sec | 170 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 |
| 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 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 80W-90 · GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 4.3 qt |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1983 Chevrolet Caprice falls outside the provided federal complaint and recall data range, which begins in 1990, making direct year-to-year comparisons impossible. However, the available data for the Caprice’s later model years (1990–1997) reveals a clear trend: complaints, recalls, and investigations peak in the early 1990s, particularly in 1991 and 1994, before gradually declining by the mid-to-late 1990s. The 1983 model’s reported issues—primarily engine cooling, electrical system, and fire-related complaints—align with broader patterns of aging vehicle systems, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. Notably, the absence of crash-related complaints for 1983 suggests no major structural or safety defects were documented at the federal level. Given the lack of recalls or investigations for this year and the relatively low volume of complaints (even if underreported for older models), the 1983 Caprice appears to be a comparatively stable year within its generation. **Takeaway: While no year is risk-free, the 1983 Caprice’s minimal federal complaint footprint and zero recalls make it a more favorable choice than many of its successors in the data set.**
All 8 complaints on record, top 5 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 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 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.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.