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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.

About this comparison →
55Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
24
198712
198843
198955
199055
1991134
1992146
1993
Compare all Cavalier years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
20Visibility
8Engine And Engine Cooling
7Power Train
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4
All reported categories
Seat Belts
4Steering
4Tires
3Exterior Lighting
2Suspension
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Structure
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 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

Visibility complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. THE RIGHT WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833529

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1998
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AFFECTING VISIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #522976

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1996
Visibility

DURING HOT WEATHER MONTHS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON BY THEMSELVES.

NHTSA ODI #601972

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 1996
Exterior LightingSteeringVisibility

STEERING COLUMN SMOKED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #506275

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 1996
VisibilityFire

THE PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOWS STARTED SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #979244

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1995
Visibility

WHERE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH GOES INTO THE STEERING COLUMN SMOKES. TT

NHTSA ODI #961665

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 1995
SteeringVisibility

STEERING COLUNM STARTS SMOKING AND THERE IS NO WINDSHEILD WIPER. TT

NHTSA ODI #959226

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1995
Electrical SystemVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #478085

Official recalls

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 ↗

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