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 reports
65,000 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 97 CHEVY CAVALIER HAS BLOWN THROUGH 3 HEAD GASKETS, 3 WATER PUMPS, 3 HEATER CORES AND 3 THERMOSTATS WITHIN THE 3 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE OUT OF A PLACE THAT NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT. ALSO, THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE AT RANDOM TIMES. I'VE BEEN STUCK LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWA…
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MY 97 CHEVY CAVALIER HAS BLOWN THROUGH 3 HEAD GASKETS, 3 WATER PUMPS, 3 HEATER CORES AND 3 THERMOSTATS WITHIN THE 3 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE OUT OF A PLACE THAT NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT. ALSO, THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE AT RANDOM TIMES. I'VE BEEN STUCK LATE AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE COLD WITH MY INFANT DAUGHTER SEVERAL TIMES AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10042984
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipmentCrashInjury
LOSS OF STEERING AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE VEHICLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. REGARDING JANNIE WELCH.*MR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND WAS REPAIR BY THE DEALER ON OCT. 7, 1998. THE VEHICLE TAPE PLAYER SOUNDED GARBLED AND THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT VERY LOUD. THE HORN WIRE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE.…
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LOSS OF STEERING AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE VEHICLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. REGARDING JANNIE WELCH.*MR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND WAS REPAIR BY THE DEALER ON OCT. 7, 1998. THE VEHICLE TAPE PLAYER SOUNDED GARBLED AND THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT VERY LOUD. THE HORN WIRE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. A LEAKING SEAL WITHIN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT CAUSED A WHINING SOUND. (BRADLEY BANKS ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042574
111,000 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Seat Belts
PLASTIC SLIDE ON THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE CRACKED AND BROKE. THE SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE USED TO SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10041918
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER NOTICED A POPPING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL DID A 360* TURN WHILE STILL TRAVELING , AND VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO STEERING RACK IN PINION FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040505
125,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Electrical System
MY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL IS A PROBLEM AND THE RECALL NOTICE SAYS THAT THE INTERNAL PARTS OS THE SWITCH WILL MELT IF HELD TOO LONG IN THE START POSITION AND I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY SWITCH. I TOOK IT OFF AND APART AND FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL PARTS WERE MELTED AS IT SAYS IN THE NOTICE. MY NOTICE SAYS THAT THEY WERE TO TEST AN…
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MY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL IS A PROBLEM AND THE RECALL NOTICE SAYS THAT THE INTERNAL PARTS OS THE SWITCH WILL MELT IF HELD TOO LONG IN THE START POSITION AND I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY SWITCH. I TOOK IT OFF AND APART AND FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL PARTS WERE MELTED AS IT SAYS IN THE NOTICE. MY NOTICE SAYS THAT THEY WERE TO TEST AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY AS WELL AS PUT THE ADDITION TO THE CIRCUIT AND I DID NOT GET A NEW SWITCH PLEASE ADVISE AS WHAT TO DO. ALL I WOULD LIKE IS MY SWITCH REPLACED. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY HELP. THANK YOU TED L HOWARD 714-630-3844 *PH
NHTSA ODI #10038751
36,000 miles · Sep 9, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
O-RING INJECTOR LEAKED GAS, AND GAS FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE O-RINGS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038534
105,502 miles · Aug 29, 2003
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED OR INSURED FOR ROAD SAFETY DUE TO SAFETY DEFECTS.*MR VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT BEFORE PURCHASE AND WAS NOT REPORTED. *TS
NHTSA ODI #10032348
105,200 miles · Aug 20, 2003
Seat Belts
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE PLASTIC PIECE FELL-OFF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033157
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Electrical SystemSteering
ON APRIL 23, 2003 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALLS. THE FIRST WAS RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND WAS RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, DEALER…
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ON APRIL 23, 2003 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALLS. THE FIRST WAS RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND WAS RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, DEALER DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031636
56,485 miles · Jul 26, 2003
Steering
SAFETY RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. *MR CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARING 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 THAT COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE B…
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SAFETY RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. *MR CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARING 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 THAT COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARING TO ESCAPE. SO THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS BROUGHT BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *CB
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 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.
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.
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
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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