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1988 Chevrolet Caprice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Caprice.

The 1988 Chevrolet Caprice, specified with a 5W‑30 API oil that holds four quarts, entered the market with 15 owner complaints, three recalls, and the Electrical System identified as the most frequently cited problem area. Its complaint record, covering model years 1990 through 2011, peaked in 1994 with 196 reports and dropped to a single complaint by 2003, showing a clear shift toward fewer defects over time. Thus, the 1988 model year marks an early stage that would later demonstrate markedly improved reliability.

Model year2014 2013 2012 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1988

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 12731179. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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	12731179 alt 12708762
Engine air filter	06484235 alt 06483645
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued · alt 5651803
Spark plug	19354415 alt 19366108
Serpentine belt	09433769 alt 10223910
Thermostat	10207373 alt 22538325

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	215 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	4081 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.

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

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) · 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) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (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 1988 Chevrolet Caprice sits at the very beginning of the data set, which begins with 1990 and ends with 2011. From 1990 to 1997, complaints rise sharply, peaking in 1994 (196 complaints) before dropping to just 3 in 1997; recalls follow a similar upswing, peaking at 11 in 1995. The target year’s complaint profile—dominated by electrical issues (3), seat belt (2), vehicle speed control (2), and tires (1)—mirrors the broader trend of diverse, component‑specific problems seen in the mid‑1990s. Because 1988 precedes the recorded spike, it likely benefited from fewer systemic recalls, but the absence of post‑1997 data suggests that later models saw a significant decline in issues. Overall, 1988 is a relatively safer year to buy within this generation, but buyers should still verify the vehicle’s electrical and seat‑belt condition.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 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 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3

Seat Belts2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Tires1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Steering1

Visibility1

Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 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 12731179 Engine air filter 06484235 Fuel filter 25171792 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 1988 Caprice take?

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

Does the 1988 Caprice have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.