IllustrationRACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT- WAS LATER A RECALL. HEAD GASKET CRACKED LEAKING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. AIRBAG RECALL.
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 →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: 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
What owners actually said
540 reportsIN FEBRUARY, I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER TO THE DEALER FOR THE BEARING RECALL IN FEB OF 2003, AFTER THAT I HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING LEFT MY STEERING GETS HARD AND HAVE NO CONTROL, I HAD THE RACK CHANGED, IN JULY OF 2003 IT WORKED FINE UP TILL SAT. JAN 10, 2004 I HAD NO CONTROL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT IT WAS LIKE I HA…
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IN FEBRUARY, I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER TO THE DEALER FOR THE BEARING RECALL IN FEB OF 2003, AFTER THAT I HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING LEFT MY STEERING GETS HARD AND HAVE NO CONTROL, I HAD THE RACK CHANGED, IN JULY OF 2003 IT WORKED FINE UP TILL SAT. JAN 10, 2004 I HAD NO CONTROL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT IT WAS LIKE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AND IT STILL DOES IT, AND IM AFRAID THAT IT COULD INJURE MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I SAW THE RECALL THAT GM WAS DOING AND THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE MY PROBLEM AS WELL. *LA
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS ALL THE TIME. WAS TOLD HAVE TWO LEAKS IN FUEL INJECTOR. *JB
CONSUMER RECEIVED A BILL FOR CHARGES FOR REPAIRS THAT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR VEHICLE.*MR (NAR) *CB
COMPLAINT REGARDING 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS. *MR THERE WERE TWO CRASHES. ONE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE OTHER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE DIAGNOSIS INCLUDED PREVIOUS BOTCHED WORKMANSHIP. ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION COULDN'T BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE DUE TO BOTCHED MECHANI…
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COMPLAINT REGARDING 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS. *MR THERE WERE TWO CRASHES. ONE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE OTHER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE DIAGNOSIS INCLUDED PREVIOUS BOTCHED WORKMANSHIP. ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION COULDN'T BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE DUE TO BOTCHED MECHANIC WORK WHICH WAS UNREPORTED TO THE CONSUMER OR WITHIN THE BILL OF SALE. *SCC *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. RECALL NO. # 02V286000, SUBJECT: POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO COLLIDE WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE DID…
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THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. RECALL NO. # 02V286000, SUBJECT: POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO COLLIDE WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER. THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE OTHER DRIVER BOTH SUFFERED WHIPLASH. *PH
VEHICLE'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING.*MR *TS *JB
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE WIRING HARNESS. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH STUCK. RECALL 02V070000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE BEARING HUB PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED BY THE MECHANIC. *AK
Official recalls
702V286000 · 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
4DP03007 · 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