IllustrationCONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 070 000 IN MAIL. HOWEVER, CONSUMER HAD REPAIRS DONE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL LETTER. CHEVROLET DID NOT WANT TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER THE MONEY SPENT ON THE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 21 of 270 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 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports10 fire reports18 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
59 reportsDUE TO IGNITION FAILURE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. *AK
CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE REPAIRS FALL UNDER THE PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL AND CONSUMER WISHES TO BE REIMBURSED, 02V07. *JG
IT IS HARD TO START VEHICLE.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED UNTIL THE END OF JUNE DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE.*JB
IGNITION HAS GONE OUT. HOWEVER, THERE IS RECALL 02V070000ON THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
ENGINE FAILED TO START. CONSUME R HAD TO HOLD KEY IN START POSITION FOR A LONG TIME TO START VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF GARAGE. AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE BLEW UP INSIDE OF GARAGE. FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN.*AK
NHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER:KIN DICKSON CHEVROLET; WALDORF, MD; PHONE# 301/645-700) WANTED TO CHARGE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS COULD BE PERFORMED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES TO GET A STALLING PROBLEM FIXED. DURING ONE TRIP THE REPLACED A HEAD GASKET AT 77,764 MILES ON A BULLETIN FROM GM. THE DIDNT CHECK THE HEAD FOR DEFECTS. THE DEALER TOLD US GM ONLY LET THEM REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. IT IS NOW 15 MONTHS LATER AND 14,000 MILES ON IT, THE…
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MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES TO GET A STALLING PROBLEM FIXED. DURING ONE TRIP THE REPLACED A HEAD GASKET AT 77,764 MILES ON A BULLETIN FROM GM. THE DIDNT CHECK THE HEAD FOR DEFECTS. THE DEALER TOLD US GM ONLY LET THEM REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. IT IS NOW 15 MONTHS LATER AND 14,000 MILES ON IT, THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN. GM SAID IT IS NOT COVERED AND THE DEALERSHIP WANT 1, 100 TO FIX IT. SEEMS TO ME GM HAS A PROBLEM WITH BAD HEAD GASKETS AND INSTEAD OF FIXING THE HEAD AND GASKET RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, THE JUST CHANGE THE GASKET AND WHEN IT IS OUT OF WARRENTY STICK IT TO THE CUSTOMER.*AK
TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. WENT TO START MY CAR, WOULDN'T START. TURNED KEY, STARTER CLICKED, BUT ENGINE DIDN'T TURN OVER. TURNED KEY AGAIN, ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. TURNED KEY TO "OFF" POSITION, THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO TURN OVER, WITH THE KEY IN THE "OFF" POSITION. REMOVED KEY AND WENT INTO HOUSE. APP. 15 MINUTES LATER CAR …
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TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. WENT TO START MY CAR, WOULDN'T START. TURNED KEY, STARTER CLICKED, BUT ENGINE DIDN'T TURN OVER. TURNED KEY AGAIN, ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. TURNED KEY TO "OFF" POSITION, THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO TURN OVER, WITH THE KEY IN THE "OFF" POSITION. REMOVED KEY AND WENT INTO HOUSE. APP. 15 MINUTES LATER CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED "ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION" WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. PRIOR TO THIS FIRE HAVE HAD SEVERAL EXPERIENCES OF CAR NOT STARTING FOR A WEEK AT A TIME AND THEN SUDDENLY WILL START. THIS ALL BEGAN AFTER HAVING RECALL WORK DONE APPX. 2 YEARS AGO ON PCM.*AK
Official recalls
402V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 6, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Dec 17, 1996
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
95V141000 · Structure:frame And Members
Jul 26, 1995
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
95V025000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Feb 16, 1995
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
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
1PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.