IllustrationFIRE ERUPTED IN THE DASH WERE THE RADIO WAS LOCATED RUINING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED. NLM
1985 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →4Owner complaints
Model-year median: 140
2Recall campaignsView recall details →
5InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1985 Chevrolet Cavalier
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 4 owner complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 5 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Electrical System: 2 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1 reports
- Vehicle Speed Control: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 4 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. 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 reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
2 reportsELECTRICAL FIRE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Recall campaigns
286V073000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
May 28, 1986
THE ENGINE AIR CLEANER PLASTIC TRIM COVER COULD FALL OFF THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY AND LAND ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED AT THE TIME THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM COVER FALLS OFF, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REMOVE THE TRIM COVER AND DISCARD.
85V042000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Apr 12, 1985
THE ENGINE AIR CLEANER PLASTIC TRIM COVER COULD DETACH FROM THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY AND FALL FORWARD ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED AT THE TIME OF DETACHMENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REMOVE THE TRIM COVER AND DISCARD.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
5PE88027 · Headlamp Switch Failure
Opened Feb 9, 1988 · Closed May 11, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
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EA87006 · 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
PE86031 · Underhood Fires
Opened Feb 18, 1986 · Closed Jun 10, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.