The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice, primarily known as the Caprice PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle), offers a compelling blend of performance and practicality. Based on the Holden Caprice, it was produced from 2011 to 2017. The sole body style is a four-door sedan. Key trims are essentially determined by the police package options, with civilian models being rare. While pricing varied based on modifications, it represented a unique offering in its niche.
The Good
The 2013 Caprice PPV boasts potent V8 performance, a robust chassis for excellent handling, and a surprisingly comfortable ride. Its distinctive, imposing design appeals to those seeking presence, while its durable construction offers peace of mind for practical buyers.
The Bad
Potential owners should watch out for the limited availability of civilian models, making parts sourcing and specialized maintenance more challenging. Some reported issues include early transmission problems and minor electrical gremlins. Fuel economy is also not a strong suit.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice: Quick Overview
- Engine Options: The primary engine for the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV was the 6.0L V8.
- Horsepower: The 6.0L V8 engine produced approximately 355 horsepower.
- Fuel Economy: Official EPA estimates for the 2013 Caprice PPV are not widely published for civilian models due to its specialized nature. However, expect highway mileage in the low to mid-20s MPG and city mileage in the mid to high teens MPG.
- 0-60 Times: Performance figures are impressive for its size, with 0-60 mph times typically in the mid to high 5-second range, demonstrating its pursuit-ready capabilities.
- Towing Capacity: While not its primary purpose, the Caprice PPV could handle light towing, typically rated around 1,000 lbs for basic utility.
- Trim-Level Features: Civilian versions often came with a police-oriented build, including heavy-duty suspension, performance brakes, and a robust drivetrain. Specific features on ex-police vehicles can vary greatly depending on their original equipment. Expect durable interior materials, often with cloth seats, and a focus on functionality over luxury. Optional features could include upgraded audio systems, different wheel options, and enhanced cooling systems. Civilian-market versions were extremely limited, so standard features were not as clearly defined as typical consumer vehicles.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 2013 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Caprice |
| Trim | - |
| Style | - |
| Type | Sedan |
| Category | Compact Car |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | Australia |
| Manufacturing City | ELIZABETH |
Dimensions
| Doors | 4-Door |
| Curb Weight | - |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | - |
| Overall Length | - |
| Overall Width | - |
| Wheelbase Length | - |
| Standard Seating | - |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | LFX |
| Engine Size | 3.6L |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Transmission Speeds | 6-Speed |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | - |
| Steering Type | - |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | - |
| Invoice Price | - |
| Delivery Charges | - |
Vehicle History Report
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What Problems Does the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice Have?
The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV, being a specialized police vehicle, has a different reliability profile than typical passenger cars. One frequently cited concern, particularly in earlier model years and some 2013 examples, involves the automatic transmission. Owners and fleet managers have reported instances of premature transmission failure, often requiring costly repairs or replacement. While specific recalls for the 2013 model year concerning widespread issues are not as prevalent as for some other GM vehicles, general maintenance is crucial. Long-term reliability can be excellent if properly maintained, as these vehicles were built with durability in mind for demanding police work. However, vehicles purchased from police auctions may have been subjected to harsh operating conditions, potentially accelerating wear on components like the suspension, brakes, and drivetrain. Issues related to the cooling system have also been noted in some instances, especially in warmer climates or under heavy use. Electrical gremlins, though not rampant, can occur, often related to added police equipment that may not have been fully integrated or removed correctly. It's important to note that many civilian-acquired Caprice PPVs are ex-police units, and their service history significantly impacts their long-term reliability. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with these vehicles is highly recommended.
How long will the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice last?
Estimating average mileage for the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice is challenging due to its primary use as a police vehicle, which often sees high mileage in a short period. However, well-maintained ex-police units can easily surpass 200,000 miles. Civilian-owned examples, with regular maintenance, can also achieve similar longevity. The Caprice PPV demonstrates strong long-term durability thanks to its robust construction and performance-oriented components. Weaknesses that can emerge over time include potential transmission wear if not serviced diligently, and suspension components may require replacement due to the demanding nature of police duty. Regular fluid changes and attention to any early signs of trouble are key to maximizing its lifespan.
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV, especially in its civilian guise, offers a functional rather than cutting-edge technology suite. Standard safety features include multi-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and roof-rail airbags for enhanced protection. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control are also standard, providing crucial control during evasive maneuvers or adverse weather. While specific driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control or lane departure warnings were not common on this model due to its police focus, it was equipped with robust braking systems. For entertainment, expect a basic AM/FM stereo with an auxiliary input for audio devices. Higher trims or optional packages might have included features like a CD player or satellite radio readiness. Bluetooth connectivity was often an option or integrated into police communication systems, but not a standard consumer feature. Crash-test ratings for the Caprice PPV are not as extensively documented in civilian crash databases as mainstream vehicles. However, its underlying platform, shared with other GM sedans, suggests a solid structural integrity. The focus was on occupant safety in high-stress situations, and its substantial construction contributes to that. Optional features were heavily skewed towards police equipment, such as heavy-duty alternators, upgraded cooling, and specific wiring harnesses for emergency lights and radios. For civilian buyers, finding a unit with specific desired tech features can be a matter of luck and diligent searching.
What Colors Options are Available?
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In the meantime, feel free to explore the other sections for more content.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Prices and Market Value
The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV had an original MSRP that varied based on police fleet orders, but civilian versions were rare and thus did not have a standard list price. When new, they were considerably more expensive than comparable mainstream sedans due to their specialized build. Currently, used market prices for the 2013 Caprice PPV can range significantly, typically from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending heavily on mileage, condition, and whether it's an ex-police unit or a rare, low-mileage civilian variant. Depreciation is a mixed bag; ex-police vehicles have already undergone significant depreciation from their original fleet cost. However, the unique nature and performance capabilities can help them hold value better than expected for a vehicle of their age, especially for well-maintained examples. Factors affecting resale value include maintenance history, original equipment, and modifications.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Cost of Ownership
Owning a 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV can be moderately costly. Insurance premiums can be higher than average due to its V8 engine and performance-oriented nature. Fuel costs are substantial, with its 6.0L V8 not being the most economical. Maintenance and repair costs can also be significant, especially if specialized parts are needed or if it's an ex-police vehicle requiring attention to its robust, yet potentially high-wear components. Finding qualified mechanics can also add to costs. Overall, while the initial purchase price on the used market might be attractive, the ongoing expenses related to fuel and maintenance make it less economical than many comparable sedans.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Fuel Efficiency
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Fuel Capacity
-
City Mileage
-
Highway Mileage
-
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Safety Rating
NHTSA
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Recalls & Defects
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer
Recall date
2014-06-27
Recall no.
14v375000
Source
NHTSA
Summary
General Motors LLC (Gm) IS Recalling Certain Model Year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicles Manufactured June 7, 2013, TO MAY 29, 2014, and 2014 Chevrolet SS Vehicles Manufactured September 13, 2013, TO March 4, 2014. IN THE Affected Vehicles, THE Windshield Wiper Motor Gear Teeth MAY Strip Causing THE Windshield Wipers TO Become Inoperative.
Consequence
Inoperative Wipers Will NOT Clear Rain or Snow, Reducing THE Driver's Visibility, Increasing THE Risk OF A Crash.
Remedy
GM Will Notify Owners, and Dealers Will Inspect THE Wiper Module Assembly and Replace ANY Affected Ones, Free OF Charge. THE Recall Began ON August 22, 2014. Owners MAY Contact Chevrolet Customer Service AT 1-800-222-1020. Gm's Number FOR This Recall IS 14295.
Notes
Owners MAY Also Contact THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline AT 1-888-327-4236 (Tty 1-800-424-9153), or GO TO Www.safercar.gov.
Electrical System:ignition
Recall date
2014-09-09
Recall no.
14v540000
Source
NHTSA
Summary
General Motors LLC (Gm) IS Recalling Certain Model Year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicles Manufactured October 15, 2010, TO December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 Vehicles Manufactured July 25, 2007, TO February 18, 2009. IN THE Affected Vehicles, THE Driver MAY Accidentally HIT THE Ignition KEY With Their Knee, Unintentionally Knocking THE KEY OUT OF THE RUN Position, Turning OFF THE Engine.
Consequence
IF THE KEY IS NOT IN THE RUN Position, THE AIR Bags MAY NOT Deploy IF THE Vehicle IS Involved IN A Crash, Increasing THE Risk OF Injury. Additionally, A KEY Knocked OUT OF THE RUN Position Could Cause Loss OF Engine Power, Power Steering, and Power Braking, Increasing THE Risk OF A Vehicle Crash.
Remedy
GM Will Notify Owners, and Dealers Will Remove THE KEY Blade From THE Original Flip Key/Rke Transmitter Assemblies, and CUT and FIT A Revised KEY Blade and Housing Assembly, IN Which THE Blade HAS Been Indexed BY 90 Degrees, TO THE Original RKE Transmitter Assembly. GM Issued AN Interim Notification TO Owners ON December 31, 2014. THE Recall Began ON February 4, 2015. Owners MAY Contact Chevrolet Customer Service AT 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac Customer Service AT 1-800-762-2737. Gm's Number FOR This Recall IS 14445. Note: Until THE Recall HAS Been Performed, IT IS Very Important That Drivers Adjust Their Seat and Steering Column TO Allow Clearance Between Their Knee and THE Ignition Key.
Notes
Owners MAY Also Contact THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline AT 1-888-327-4236 (Tty 1-800-424-9153), or GO TO Www.safercar.gov.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Recall date
2014-09-09
Recall no.
14v544000
Source
NHTSA
Summary
General Motors LLC (Gm) IS Recalling Certain Model Year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicles Manufactured March 24, 2011, TO December 6, 2013. THE Affected Vehicles ARE Police Patrol Vehicles (Ppv), Equipped With A Specific Transmission Selector Lever That Contains Two Pins That CAN Become Displaced. IF THE Pins GET Displaced, THE Driver MAY BE Able TO Shift THE Vehicle From "park" Without Depressing THE Brake Pedal or Remove THE Ignition KEY Without THE Transmission Being IN "park." AS Such, These Vehicles Fail TO Comply With THE Requirements OF Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards NO. 102, "transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and NO. 114, "theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence
IF THE Transmission CAN BE Moved From "park" Without Depressing THE Brake Pedal, Unintended Motion MAY Occur Increasing THE Risk OF A Crash. Additionally, IF THE Ignition KEY CAN BE Removed Without THE Transmission Being IN "park," THE Vehicle MAY Roll Away, Increasing THE Risk OF Injury TO Exiting Occupants and Bystanders.
Remedy
GM Will Notify Owners, and Dealers Will Replace THE Shift Lever Roll Pin, Replace THE Base Pivot PIN and Attach A Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Retention Enhancement Clip, Free OF Charge. THE Recall Began ON October 27, 2014. Owners MAY Contact Chevrolet Customer Service AT 1-800-222-1020. Gm's Number FOR This Recall IS 14549.
Notes
Owners MAY Also Contact THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline AT 1-888-327-4236 (Tty 1-800-424-9153), or GO TO Www.safercar.gov.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever and Linkage:column Shift
Recall date
2014-09-09
Recall no.
14v544000
Source
NHTSA
Summary
General Motors LLC (Gm) IS Recalling Certain Model Year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicles Manufactured March 24, 2011, TO December 6, 2013. THE Affected Vehicles ARE Police Patrol Vehicles (Ppv), Equipped With A Specific Transmission Selector Lever That Contains Two Pins That CAN Become Displaced. IF THE Pins GET Displaced, THE Driver MAY BE Able TO Shift THE Vehicle From "park" Without Depressing THE Brake Pedal or Remove THE Ignition KEY Without THE Transmission Being IN "park." AS Such, These Vehicles Fail TO Comply With THE Requirements OF Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards NO. 102, "transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and NO. 114, "theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence
IF THE Transmission CAN BE Moved From "park" Without Depressing THE Brake Pedal, Unintended Motion MAY Occur Increasing THE Risk OF A Crash. Additionally, IF THE Ignition KEY CAN BE Removed Without THE Transmission Being IN "park," THE Vehicle MAY Roll Away, Increasing THE Risk OF Injury TO Exiting Occupants and Bystanders.
Remedy
GM Will Notify Owners, and Dealers Will Replace THE Shift Lever Roll Pin, Replace THE Base Pivot PIN and Attach A Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Retention Enhancement Clip, Free OF Charge. THE Recall Began ON October 27, 2014. Owners MAY Contact Chevrolet Customer Service AT 1-800-222-1020. Gm's Number FOR This Recall IS 14549.
Notes
Owners MAY Also Contact THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline AT 1-888-327-4236 (Tty 1-800-424-9153), or GO TO Www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belts
Recall date
2015-06-23
Recall no.
15v399000
Source
NHTSA
Summary
General Motors LLC (Gm) IS Recalling Certain Model Year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Vehicles Manufactured October 15, 2010, TO October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 Vehicles Manufactured July 25, 2007, TO February 18, 2009. IN THE Affected Vehicles, THE Flexible Steel Cables That Connect THE Seat Belts TO THE Vehicle AT THE Outside OF THE Driver Seat and THE Front Passenger Seat MAY BE Bent From Being SAT ON While Entering THE Vehicle. This Repeated Bending MAY Result IN THE Cable Breaking.
Consequence
IF THE Cable Breaks, THE Seat Occupant MAY NOT BE Properly Restrained IN THE Event OF A Crash, Increasing Their Risk OF Injury.
Remedy
GM Will Notify Owners, and Dealers Will Replace THE Seat Belt Tensioner Assembly Which Includes THE Steel Cable, Free OF Charge. These Replacement Parts Reposition THE Tensioner Cable OUT OF THE Path OF Entry Into THE Vehicle and Uses A More Flexible Cable, SET AT A More Upright Angle. THE Recall Began ON July 5, 2016. Owners MAY Contact Chevrolet Customer Service AT 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac Customer Service AT 1-800-762-2737. Gm's Number FOR This Recall IS 15206.
Notes
Owners MAY Also Contact THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline AT 1-888-327-4236 (Tty 1-800-424-9153), or GO TO Www.safercar.gov.
2013 Chevrolet Caprice Insurance
Insurance for a 2013 Chevrolet Caprice is moderately priced, reflecting its status as a Sedan with strong safety ratings and
reasonable repair costs.
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice Compare to Other Sedan?
The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV occupied a unique niche, often competing with full-size sedans and performance-oriented models. In terms of performance, its 6.0L V8 engine and robust chassis rivaled cars like the Dodge Charger R/T or the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (though the latter was discontinued in 2011, the Caprice largely filled its role). The Charger R/T offers similar V8 power and a more modern interior with better tech features, often at a comparable or slightly higher used price. However, the Caprice PPV generally boasted a more refined ride and superior handling due to its Holden underpinnings. Reliability is a mixed bag; while built tough, its police duty history for many units can introduce unique maintenance challenges compared to privately owned sedans. The Caprice PPV's features are more function-oriented than luxury-focused. Standard tech is basic, unlike the more advanced infotainment and driver-assistance systems found in newer rivals. Price-wise, ex-police Caprice PPVs can be bargains, offering V8 performance at a lower cost than a comparable Charger R/T. Similar alternatives include the Dodge Charger (especially R/T models for performance) or the Chevrolet SS (a spiritual successor with even better performance but at a much higher price point). If outright reliability and mainstream features are prioritized, a well-equipped Ford Taurus SHO or even a performance-oriented import like a used BMW 5 Series might be considered, though these come with their own set of potential maintenance costs and different driving dynamics.
Final Verdict: Is the 2013 Chevrolet Caprice a Good Sedan?
The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV is ideal for enthusiasts seeking robust V8 performance and a comfortable, large sedan with a unique backstory, particularly those who appreciate its police-spec build quality. It's worth buying if you prioritize performance and durability over modern tech and fuel efficiency, and if you find a well-maintained, low-mileage example. Buying used is the only option, and it's crucial to conduct thorough inspections, especially for ex-police units, to assess their service history and potential maintenance needs. Civilian trims are exceedingly rare. It's a car for those willing to accept potentially higher fuel and maintenance costs in exchange for its distinctive power and presence.
Eugene S
Eugene is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. As a writer at VINCheck.info, he brings deep industry insight and a passion for cars, helping readers make smart, informed decisions. Eugene has written hundreds of used car reviews and is known for breaking down complex automotive topics into clear, actionable advice. Over the years, he has driven and worked on a wide range of vehicles—starting with tuning street cars in his early days and eventually focusing on performance upgrades and reliability improvements. Today, he specializes in evaluating used vehicles through the lens of real-world ownership and enthusiast needs. A longtime fan of Porsche, Eugene especially appreciates vehicles that blend durability with driving enjoyment.