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1997 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 88 of 540 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

70 crash reports25 fire reports60 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

107 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 12, 2002
Electrical System

AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE IN THE MAIL CONCERNING THE RECALL I CONTACTED MY DEALER ANDEAN CHEVROLET, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER" AND TO NOT EVEN BRING IN MY CAR THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY OR ANYONE ELSE COULD DO. I THEN ASKED WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND…

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AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE IN THE MAIL CONCERNING THE RECALL I CONTACTED MY DEALER ANDEAN CHEVROLET, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER" AND TO NOT EVEN BRING IN MY CAR THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY OR ANYONE ELSE COULD DO. I THEN ASKED WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR SHOULD REALLY START ON FIRE. THE REPLY I RECEIVED WAS "THAT VERY RARELY HAPPENS, AND TO CALL BACK IN 3-4 WEEKS." TWO DAYS LATER I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE STARTING MY CAR. WHEN I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT DIDN'T I CONTINUED TO TRY TO START IT FINALLY ONLY TO END UP GETTING A MACHANICS HELP. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND EVEN BEING STRANDED IN A VERY SECLUUDED AREA BECAUSE OF THIS IGNITION PROBLEM. I EVEN ENDED UP REPLACING THE BATTERY DUE TO TRYING TO START THE CAR. MISSING WORK AND BEING LATE RESULTING IN LOOSING THE PLACEMENT. |WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS AND WHOM DO I HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER SITUATIONS RESULTING IN THIS RECALL THAT UNABLE TO BE FIXED AT THIS TIME?*AK

NHTSA ODI #761793

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE FAILS TO START. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF RECALL 02V070000 RELATING TO NO START CONDITION. HOWEVER, DEALER CANNOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT VEHICLE MAY CATCH FIRE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #565313

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2002
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF 5 STARTERS ON MY CAR WITHIN 2 YEARS. I KNOW THIS IS JUST CRAZY BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY'S CAR THAT HAS WENT THROUGH THAT MANY IN 2 YEARS. NOW THAT I HAVE THAT PROBLEM SOLVED I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761003

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2002
Electrical System

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM STARTING MY CAR FOR SOME TIME NOW. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT JUST CLICKS. THEN IT WILL START UP. IT WASN'T UNTIL APRIL 15TH THAT THE CAR JUST FINALLY DECIDED NOT TO RUN ANYMORE. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE PART FOR MY CAR THAT INVOLVES THE RECALL WILL NOT BE…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM STARTING MY CAR FOR SOME TIME NOW. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT JUST CLICKS. THEN IT WILL START UP. IT WASN'T UNTIL APRIL 15TH THAT THE CAR JUST FINALLY DECIDED NOT TO RUN ANYMORE. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE PART FOR MY CAR THAT INVOLVES THE RECALL WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL JULY. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO IN THE MEAN TIME. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING A RENTAL CAR. I HAVE ALREADY LOST TIME OFF OF WORK BECAUSE OF THIS WHOLE MESS. I FEEL THAT I HAVE PAID MY CAR OFF AND GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD AT LEAST GIVE A LITTLE. CONSIDERING I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF MY CAR SINCE SIX MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. GENERAL MOTORS IS RUINING THEIR NAME AND REPUTATION BECAUSE I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER CHEVY VEHICLE AFTER THIS ONE. I LOVED MY CAR WHEN I FIRST GOT IT BUT IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR ME. YOU KNOW THEY ARE NOT EVEN OFFERING TO PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE TOWED. THIS RECALL IS NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT SO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE TOWED IN WHEN IT BREAKS DOWN FROM GENERAL MOTORS RECALLS. *LT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #761002

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2002
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 02V07) REGARDING A POSSIBLE FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 2002. *YH

NHTSA ODI #565275

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND TURNED OFF BY THE IGNITION VEHICLE KEPT RUNNING. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL 02V070000. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8007840

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002
Electrical System

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V070000. CONTACTED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE ON APPOINTED DATE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. GAVE NO INDICATION OF TIME FRAME FOR PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8007702

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Electrical System

RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 02V070000 ON 01/V/070/000. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THERE IS CONCERN OF A FIRE THAT MAY START AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8007622

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Electrical System

KEY WAS PLACE INSIDE OF IGNITION AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. DEALERSHIP WA SAWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8007339

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE ATTENDANT WAS SERVICING VEHICLE HE PLACED KEY INSIDE OF IGNITION, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. IGNITION SWITCH STARTED SMOKING , AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8007329

Official recalls

7

02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Nov 4, 2002

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.

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.

98V319000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 15, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.

98V146000 · Air Bags

Jun 29, 1998

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.

98V032000 · Structure:body

Feb 25, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.

97V106000 · Wheels:space Saver Wheel

Jun 28, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.

96V160000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Aug 29, 1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE 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