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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 →

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

Steering complaints

19 reports
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179,850 miles · May 21, 2007
Fuel System, OtherLatches/locks/linkagesSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE TO THE LINK AND LATCH MOVING OUT OF PLACE (NOT ALIGNED). THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HER TRUNK TO OPEN RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE STRUTS. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 179850.

NHTSA ODI #10191386

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2003
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN AND IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006290

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2002
SteeringInjury

FINGERS ARE BENT AND TWISTED TOWARDS THE BABY FINGER TO CONFORM TO THE STEERING WHEEL CONTOUR. THIS INFORMATION BEING SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF GREG WHEELER BY MIKE TOMICH DT

NHTSA ODI #768813

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2002
Steering

ON THIS 1995 CAVALIER AT APPROX. 67,000 MILES THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN. THE FRIST TIME THIS OCCURED MAITA CHEVROLET REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK…

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ON THIS 1995 CAVALIER AT APPROX. 67,000 MILES THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED BY THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN. THE FRIST TIME THIS OCCURED MAITA CHEVROLET REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK CITING IT AS THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME MAITA REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE LOCK UP PROBLEM. ALSO RAJESH RAMSAY AT CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, 1-800-222-1020, FILE # S1-37046805 , HAS BEEN NO HELP IN CORRECTING THIS EITHER. HE STATES THE GM REPRESENTITIVE , MICHEAL RENSLOW TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE. WHEN DAVID WELLER ,MAITA SERVICE MGR. WAS ASKED TO PUT IN WRITTING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE , HE REFUSED, MR. RAMSEY REFUSED , THUS HERE ARE THE FACTS FOR YOU. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. ROY SHARP III ( STEPFATHER OF MELYNDA HUGHES ). MR

NHTSA ODI #768203

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Steering

WHILE DECELERATING/BRAKING ON THE CURVE OF AN OFF-RAMP OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON MY CAR. IT RETURNED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WHILE I CONTINUED BRAKING AND ATTEMPTING TO FORCE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE EMBANKMENT. ON ONE OTHER OCCASION, 4 DAYS LATER AND HUNDREDS OF MILES LATER, THE STEERING AGAIN LOCKED UP WHILE…

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WHILE DECELERATING/BRAKING ON THE CURVE OF AN OFF-RAMP OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE, THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON MY CAR. IT RETURNED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WHILE I CONTINUED BRAKING AND ATTEMPTING TO FORCE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE EMBANKMENT. ON ONE OTHER OCCASION, 4 DAYS LATER AND HUNDREDS OF MILES LATER, THE STEERING AGAIN LOCKED UP WHILE BRAKING ON A CURVE OF AN OFF RAMP OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BECAUSE OF THE SHARP CURVE AND CONCRETE BARRIER AND STEERING ABILITY RETURNED JUST BEFORE HITTING THE CONCRETE BARRIER. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED ON A CURVE, ONCE TO THE RIGHT AND ONCE ON A LEFT CURVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764387

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringFire

POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CUT OUT LIKE STARVED FOR GAS, THEN DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART, REPLACE TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. CK P/STEERING FOR LEAKS, P/STEERING PUMP LEAKING FLUID, R AND RPS PUMP AND RESEAL COMPLETED, P/STEERING PUMP BUSHING GETTING WORN. ON ANOTHER OCCASSION REPLACE PRESSURE H…

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POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CUT OUT LIKE STARVED FOR GAS, THEN DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART, REPLACE TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. CK P/STEERING FOR LEAKS, P/STEERING PUMP LEAKING FLUID, R AND RPS PUMP AND RESEAL COMPLETED, P/STEERING PUMP BUSHING GETTING WORN. ON ANOTHER OCCASSION REPLACE PRESSURE HOSE DUE TO LOST OF POWER STEERING. COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR OVERHEATES. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO LEAKAGE, OIL AND POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID WAS LEAKING, TOTALLED.

NHTSA ODI #9005944

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Steering

AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THEN AN HOUR STEERING WILL BECOME HARDER TO TURN. CONSUMER ALMOST RAN INTO A MCDONALDS BECAUSE STEERING BECAME REAL HARD TO CONTROL. ALSO, IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS TUGGING WHEEL AS DRIVING. VEHICLE NOT DRIVEABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8001610

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Air BagsSteeringSuspension

WHILE TEST DRIVING VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SALESMAN THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYS ON WHICH WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGE…

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WHILE TEST DRIVING VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SALESMAN THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYS ON WHICH WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD BEEN REMOVED, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SALESMAN, WHO THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT HIS PROBLEM AND TO CONTACT THE SAFETY PATROL OR CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.*JB

NHTSA ODI #562417

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Steering

THIS UNIT FAILED AGAIN AT 75216 MILES. LETTERS WERE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF GM NORTH AMERICA AND THE CEO OF GM ABOUT THIS MULTIPLE FAILURE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM HAD A CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON CALL. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD COPIES OF ALL THE BILLS, SHE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILUR…

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THIS UNIT FAILED AGAIN AT 75216 MILES. LETTERS WERE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF GM NORTH AMERICA AND THE CEO OF GM ABOUT THIS MULTIPLE FAILURE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM HAD A CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON CALL. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD COPIES OF ALL THE BILLS, SHE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURES. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE CEO. IT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT THEY ARE HIDING. OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE INDICATED THEY HAVE ALSO HAD THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR MIGHT BE A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. JULIE IS MY DAUGHTER. I AM LYLE POTTEBAUM, 4996 STONECASTLE DR., VENICE, FL., 34293. PHONE 941-408-0815. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA ODI #741698

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

STRUTS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #542528

Official recalls

4

02V070000 · 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

1

PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area

Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

No summary supplied.