IllustrationHAZARD LIGHTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
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
What owners actually said
270 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK DRIVESHAFT HIT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD PUTTING A 2 INCH HOLE IN IT, ENGINE ALSO HIT FIREWALL DENTING IT, THE STEERING CONTROL WAS AFFECTED AND ALMOSTE CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTR…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK DRIVESHAFT HIT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD PUTTING A 2 INCH HOLE IN IT, ENGINE ALSO HIT FIREWALL DENTING IT, THE STEERING CONTROL WAS AFFECTED AND ALMOSTE CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, THE UPPER RH ENGINE MOUNT ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN INTERNALLY. *SLC
RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE. CAUSING CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. *AK
STEERING COLUMN FAILED RESULTING IN LOCK UP.
THE FRONT SEAT BACKS REMAIN UNLOCKED UNTIL A PENDULUM ACTIVATED LOCK-UP MECHANISM LOCKS THE SEATS DURING AN ACCIDENT OR HARD BRAKING. THE DESIGN IS HAZARDOUS, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A CHILD IN THE BACK PUSHING SEAT FORWARD AND DRIVER INTO STEERING WHEEL.
VEHICLE WAS IN 40MPH FRONTAL AND REAR CRASH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER IS INVESTIGATING. *AK
PARKED VEHICLE, LOCKED ALL DOORS, MANUAL LOCKS, ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER, REAR DOOR OPENED WITHOUT UNLOCKING IT. OWNER HAD TO TIE DOOR SHUT BECAUSE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSE/LOCK. ACCORDING TO DEALER, INTERNAL MECHANISM OF LOCK BROKE, REPLACING DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL GETS SOFT AND THAN GOES TO THE FLOOR. WILL HEAR A CLICK LIKE THE ABS TRYING TO KICK IN. *AK
STARTER FUSE FAILED, ALLOWING STARTER TO ENGAGE ITSELF.
THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE TIRE TO REPAIR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE TIRE WAS NOT PUT ON PROPERLY, AND WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ALMOST FELL OFF THE CAR. *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.