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1989 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →
43Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
18
198624
198712
198843
198955
199055
1991134
1992
Compare all Cavalier years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
10Electrical System
6Fuel System, Gasoline
6Power Train
5Steering
5
All reported categories
Structure
5Seat Belts
4Visibility
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Seats
3Tires
3Unknown Or Other
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Air Bags
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes
1Vehicle Speed Control
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: 3 of 43 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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

THE HATCHBACK LATCH EXPERIENCING FAILURE, ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH NOT SUCCESS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE HATCHBACK IS FULLY CLOSED ANY SMALL BUMP WHILE DRIVING RELEASES THE LOCK AND POPS THE DOOR OPEN, WHICH ALLOWS EXHAUST (FUMES) TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *YC

NHTSA ODI #547296

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1996
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOOR UNLATCHES FOR NO REASON, ALSO REPLACED POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #802055

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1995
Latches/locks/linkages

TRUNK LATCH DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN OPEN TRUCK, REMOVE REAR HATCH LOCK LATCH AND REPLACED BROKEN SPRING CONTAINER. TT *SLC

NHTSA ODI #973780

Official recalls

1

88V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Dec 6, 1988

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.

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

2

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