IllustrationPLASTIC VALVE MELTED/LODGED AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.
1983 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
587V165000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Oct 26, 1987
INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
87V079000 · Seats
May 7, 1987
THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
83V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve
Oct 13, 1983
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
83V042000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
Apr 19, 1983
THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY, MAY COME LOOSE AT ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS IS DUE TO POSSIBLE INADEQUATE WELDING OF THE BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST.
82V096000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors
Oct 7, 1982
POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA87006 · Power St. Assist
Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======
EA87007 · Sudden Accel
Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Aug 7, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ANALYSIS:STATUS: GM RESPONDED BY LETTER DATED 12 FEBRUARY 1987.EA CLOSED ON8/7/87.===
DP86019 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Sep 12, 1986 · Closed Dec 22, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
DP86018 · Power Steering Failure
Opened Sep 5, 1986 · Closed Dec 19, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
POWER STEERING FAILURE
EA86023 · Seat Track Lock
Opened Aug 1, 1986 · Closed Jun 1, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE85016 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Dec 3, 1984 · Closed Mar 22, 1985
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available