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: 56 of 503 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 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
58 crash reports10 fire reports44 injury reports
What owners actually said
503 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1999
Child SeatSeat Belts
THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAVALIER. WHEN USED IN CONJUCTION WITH INFANT CAR SEATS. ALL THE INFANT SEAT MANUFACTURERS HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS AGAINST USING ANY OF THEIR SEATS WITH CARS WHERE THE SEAT BELT IS ANCHORED FORWARD AT THE CREASE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH THE 96 CAVELIER. …
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THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAVALIER. WHEN USED IN CONJUCTION WITH INFANT CAR SEATS. ALL THE INFANT SEAT MANUFACTURERS HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS AGAINST USING ANY OF THEIR SEATS WITH CARS WHERE THE SEAT BELT IS ANCHORED FORWARD AT THE CREASE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH THE 96 CAVELIER. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER, WHO THEN TOLD ME TO TALK TO THE SEAT MANUFACTURER, GETTING ME NO WHERE AT ALL. INDEED THE ONLY ADVICE I COULD GET WAS TO TIGHTEN IT AS MUCH AS I COULD AND IT WOULD PROBABLY BE ALRIGHT. THERE ARE NO PROBABILITY NOR SHOULD THERE BE WHEN WE DEAL WITH THE LIFE OF A CHILD. I FIND IT ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY TRANSPORT MY CHILD DUE TO THE ANCHORING OF THE BELT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO AND BUY A NEW CAR. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT IN THE CAVALIER INFANT CANNOT BE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT DUE TO THE HUMP. BUT ON TOP OF THIS, TO PLACE THE SEAT BELTS SO THAT NO SEAT WILL WORK AS THEY WERE MEANT TO. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703420
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL NOT START BACK UP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPONENT REPLACED BUT NONE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #543845
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT , CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834286
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY ADVISED OF THE EVAPORATIVE PURGE SOLENOID AND CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING. WE HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY REPORT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF GM HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME PARTS IN MANY OF THEIR OTHER CARS THEN WHY NOT THIS VEHICLE. THE CADILLACS, BUICKS, CU…
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CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY ADVISED OF THE EVAPORATIVE PURGE SOLENOID AND CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING. WE HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY REPORT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF GM HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME PARTS IN MANY OF THEIR OTHER CARS THEN WHY NOT THIS VEHICLE. THE CADILLACS, BUICKS, CUTLASS AND OVER 400,000 VEHICLE THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM IN THE CAVALIER AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASED THE WARRANTY FOR 1,000.00. THE DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED.MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED HER FIRST VEHICLE JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND NOW IT HAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY SAY SHE WILL NEEDS TO PAY FOR. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY WE PURCHASED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED JUST LIKE THE OTHER VEHICLES WERE AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DAY TO ANSWER OUR CONCERNS. YVETTE HOLLIS AND AIMEE HOLLIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702637
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH APPLIED BRAKES TO STOBUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL A FEW FEET AWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834000
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENIGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND THAT EVENTUALLY LED TO THE BLOWING OF THE ENIGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833778
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1999
Power Train
CLUTCH GETS REPLACED EVERY 26 K MILES, MANU CLAIMS NORMAL WEAR (NO OTHER I EVER HAD NEED A NEW CLUTCH THAT OFTEN).
NHTSA ODI #702254
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT LOSS, LOW COOLANT LIGHT, COOLANT LEAK ODOR. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC VERIFED THAT IT IS LEAKING AND DAMAGING THE HEAD GASKET. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE 95 CAVALIER HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON RECALL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 11/95, HAS THE SAME HEAD GASKET AS THE 95, BUT CHEVROLET WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #702238
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 1999
Suspension
SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTINUALLY MAKES NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #543272
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1998
Electrical System
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT NIGHT THERE IS A POWER DRAIN ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHENEVER YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM, THE A/C WILL SLOW DOWN, AND THE INSTRUMENT DASH LIGHTS WILL DIM.THE CHEVY DEALER IN INVERNESS FIRST WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM ON 1-23-98 AND STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHIC…
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THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT NIGHT THERE IS A POWER DRAIN ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHENEVER YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM, THE A/C WILL SLOW DOWN, AND THE INSTRUMENT DASH LIGHTS WILL DIM.THE CHEVY DEALER IN INVERNESS FIRST WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM ON 1-23-98 AND STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN ON 2-23-98. AGAIN THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED SO THEY WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE BATTERY.THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE BUT AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN AND I RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AGAIN THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THEY WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE ALTENATOR AND RECHARGED THE BATTERY. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND JUST THIS LAST WEEK 12-7-98 I RETUNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS AND SAID THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AGAIN SO THEY CHARGED IT AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY WERE GOING TO DO. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY FAMILY WILL BE OUT AT NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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.
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
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
4
DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
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.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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