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1990 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

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 →
55Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 55 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 2 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: 20 reports
  • Visibility: 8 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 7 reports
  • Power Train: 5 reports
  • Fuel System, Gasoline: 4 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    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

    Other model years Selected year
    24
    1987    12
    1988    43
    1989    55
    1990    55
    1991    134
    1992    146
    1993
    Compare all Cavalier years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    20    Visibility
    8    Engine And Engine Cooling
    7    Power Train
    5    Fuel System, Gasoline
    4
    All reported categories
    Seat Belts
    4    Steering
    4    Tires
    3    Exterior Lighting
    2    Suspension
    2    Vehicle Speed Control
    2    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Seats
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    1    Structure
    1    Wheels
    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 55 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 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Visibility. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 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 reports12 fire reports3 injury reports

    Power Train complaints

    5 reports
    Clear category filter
    96,000 miles · Jun 1, 2006
    Power Train

    1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER B…

    Read full complaint

    1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10148689

    Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1998
    Power Train

    FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. STEERING SHIMMIES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH.

    NHTSA ODI #780473

    Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1995
    Power Train

    ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD

    NHTSA ODI #488782

    Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1995
    Power TrainSuspension

    CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. TT

    NHTSA ODI #963658

    Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 1995
    Power Train

    TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER SURGING A FEW INCHES FORWARD. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #962273

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    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

    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

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.