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1988 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 →
12Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

6Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
4
198518
198624
198712
198843
198955
199055
1991
Compare all Cavalier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Steering
2Visibility
2Exterior Lighting
1Seat Belts
1
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Suspension
1Wheels
1

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: 2 of 12 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Visibility complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Nov 1, 2005
Visibility

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS WIND BLOWING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANTS, ALLOWING COLD DRAFTS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 88V121000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAI…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS WIND BLOWING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANTS, ALLOWING COLD DRAFTS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 88V121000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141367

64,870 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD BONDING DOES NOT MEET FMVSS 212, 1988, CHEVROLET CAVALIER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 88V121000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10065819

Official recalls

2

88V121000 · Visibility:windshield

Jul 25, 1988

THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WINDSHIELD COULD SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIERTEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212. SUCH SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT INAN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND INJURIED.

Remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.

88V095000 · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk

Jun 14, 1988

REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.

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

6

PE93090 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 8, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA90041 · Brake Performance

Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

PE89035 · Stop Lamps

Opened Jan 19, 1989 · Closed May 24, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===

EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness

Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE88085 · Poor Braking

Opened Jul 27, 1988 · Closed Jan 17, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available