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1987 Chevrolet Caprice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 Caprice.

The 1987 Chevrolet Caprice is presented as the model year under review, with its engine calling for 4 qt of 5W‑30 API oil—a standout maintenance specification. Owner feedback records only 19 total complaints for this year, the most frequent concerning Vehicle Speed Control, and the model was subject to four recalls. When placed within the broader complaint history spanning 1990‑2011—where complaints peaked at 196 in 1994 and fell to a low of just one in 2003—the 1987 Caprice appears at the low‑end of the spectrum, indicating a relatively trouble‑free start to the nameplate’s later reliability trend.

Model year2014 2013 2012 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1987

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12708762 alt 19210286
Engine air filter	06484235 alt 06483645
Fuel filter	5651803 discontinued · alt 25171792
Spark plug	19354415 alt 19366108
Serpentine belt	09433733 alt 09433738
Thermostat	10207373 alt 10105135

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	213 in
Overall width	75.2 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	3536 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

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.

7.2–12.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 1986 Wagon

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
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
1991	Wagon 5.0L V8	10.50 sec	17.70 sec	170 hp	RWD
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
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.3 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The federal complaint records for the 1987 Caprice show zero crash‑related complaints and four fire‑related complaints, with the highest‑frequency complaint categories listed as Vehicle Speed Control (4), Power Train (4), Seats (3) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3). In the surrounding years covered by the dataset, complaints and recalls rise sharply after 1990, peaking at 196 complaints and 10 recalls in 1994, then decline to single‑digit levels by 1997 and remain low thereafter. The 1987 figures therefore sit outside the documented complaint arc, which begins with only six complaints in 1990 and escalates to higher levels in the early‑1990s. No recalls are recorded for the 1987 model in the provided federal entries. Consequently, while the 1987 Caprice does not appear in the high‑complaint surge of the early‑1990s, the presence of fire complaints suggests a modest risk, making it a cautious choice rather than a definitively optimal purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control4

Power Train4

Seats3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Electrical System1

Suspension1

Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
000601019	2000-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L…

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12708762 Engine air filter 06484235 Fuel filter 5651803 Spark plug 19354415

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 Caprice take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 Caprice have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.