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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.

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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

Suspension complaints

13 reports
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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 · Jan 16, 2001
SuspensionCrashInjury

WHEN ON HIGHWAY CAR WENT TO THE OTHER LANE COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE .*AK

NHTSA ODI #739427

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Power TrainSuspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT END. OWNER FOUND THAT RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE WHICH CAUSED RIGHT AXLE AND CV BOOT TO BE DAMAGED. RIGHT AXLE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ALSO, CV BOOT WOULD BE REPLACED. SAME PROBLEM IS STARTING TO OCCUR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #864691

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2000
Suspension

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FAILED REULTING IN ALSO HAVING TO REPLACE THE LEFT HALF SHAFT, UPN INSPECTION THE RIGHT CNTROL ARM WAS ALSO FAULTY AND HAD T BE REPLACED, FORTUNATELY WHEN THE PART BROKE THE CAR WAS GING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR MOST CERTAINLY A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEA…

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THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FAILED REULTING IN ALSO HAVING TO REPLACE THE LEFT HALF SHAFT, UPN INSPECTION THE RIGHT CNTROL ARM WAS ALSO FAULTY AND HAD T BE REPLACED, FORTUNATELY WHEN THE PART BROKE THE CAR WAS GING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR MOST CERTAINLY A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MIGH THAVE OCCURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719286

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *ET

NHTSA ODI #782504

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER CAN HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER PUTTING ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE VEHICLE THE ANTI-FREEZE WILL LEAK OUT. IN ADDITION,TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832836

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

STRUTS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #542528

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1998
SuspensionCrash

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 42 MPH AND ON THE LEFT LINE VEHICLE WANDERED AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, CRASHING VEHICLE INTO A FENCE. VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AFTERWARDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #825040

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1997
Suspension

RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #525156

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 1995
Suspension

KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE MAY 95. TT

NHTSA ODI #971613

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.