IllustrationCV JOINT BOOT STRAP IS VERY CLOSE TO THE OIL FILTER AND DAMAGED FILTER CAUSING OIL LEAKING AND MOTOR TO SIEZE DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION FLAW.
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 →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: 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
What owners actually said
43 reportsOXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 507067)
SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
INTERMITTENT STALLING AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *AK
DRIVERS SEAT BACK FELL BACK UPON STOPPING, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH
THE TIMIMG BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND BROKE EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WATER PUMP FAILED. *SD
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
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TRACK CLIPS BROKE, SEAT ROCKS TO THE RIGHT. TT
TILT STEERING FAILURE, THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE TILT STEERING. TT CONSUMER STATES THE TILT STEERING IS CAUSING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. *SLC
Official recalls
188V189000 · 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
2PE93090 · 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