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1992 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →
134Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
43
198955
199055
1991134
1992146
1993212
1994270
1995
Compare all Cavalier years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
48Electrical System
21Engine And Engine Cooling
15Seats
12Seat Belts
10
All reported categories
Visibility
10Steering
8Power Train
7Vehicle Speed Control
7Structure
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Tires
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Air
2Suspension
2Parking Brake
1Unknown Or Other
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: 5 of 134 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Steering complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Steering

1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LE…

Read full complaint

1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LEVER. I TEMPORARILY WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187771

129,400 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10091466

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Steering

PUSH RODS BENT, MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL. NLM

NHTSA ODI #784636

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. MOVES WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD IT REPAIRED. PROBLEM REAPPEARED. ALSO, THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKS OUT. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 5-6 TIMES FOR BOTH PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #828833

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1998
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE LOCKING PIN FELL OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TILT ADJUSTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828346

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1996
Steering

TIE ROD FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #512477

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1996
Steering

TILT STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK INTO POSITION. TT

NHTSA ODI #977904

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1995
Steering

TIE ROD BOLTS WERE UNDER SIZED COMING FROM THE FACTORY. TT

NHTSA ODI #972692

Official recalls

1

91V166000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Sep 23, 1991

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.