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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

View investigation details →

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

Seat Belts complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 1997
Seat Belts

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN LEANING FORWARD; WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THERE IS NO GIVE. HAVE TO PULL/JERK TO TRY TO RELEASE BELT FOR ROOM. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALR CANNOT LOCATE REASON FOR LOCK UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #816476

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1996
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA ODI #506827

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 1996
Seat Belts

DRIVER/PASS SHOULDER/LAP BELT WON'T RETRACT, ALSO DRIVER'S FEMALE PORTION PLASTIC COVERING HAS FALLEN OFF, AND WHEN PULLED BELTS WON'T LOCK IN PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #979959

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1995
Seat Belts

DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING. *DSH

NHTSA ODI #484764

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