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
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
I WISH I KNEW ABOUT YOUR WEB SITE SOONER BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS IVE ENCOUNTERED WITH GM. IN JUNE OF 2001, MY 1997 CHEVROLET, CAVALIER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THE FIRE DEPT. ARSON INVESTIGATOR SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AT…
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I WISH I KNEW ABOUT YOUR WEB SITE SOONER BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS IVE ENCOUNTERED WITH GM. IN JUNE OF 2001, MY 1997 CHEVROLET, CAVALIER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. THE FIRE DEPT. ARSON INVESTIGATOR SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AT GM AND FINALY RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL WHICH STATES THAT " GENERAL MOTORS IS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES." "INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION". THIS INCIDENT HAS ACTUALLY HURT MY FAMILY FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. MY DAUGHTER THINKS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP TRADING IN CARS BEFORE THEY BLOW UP. MY CREDIT REPORT HAS A BAD MARK ON IT BECAUSE I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AND COULNT AFFORD TO PAY OFF THE REST OF THE LOAN.. CHEVROLET WOULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST OR ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. BY THE WAY MY CHEVROLET PRODUCT ALLEGATION NUMBER IS C 04792963. *AIK
NHTSA ODI #760246
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. SHE DID THIS 3 TIMES. ALSO, AFTER TAKING AUTOMOBILE TO MECHANIC, SHE WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8006859
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Electrical System
I GOT THE LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH THAT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. ON SATURDAY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, BUT DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I GOT THE LETTER FROM GM. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL JULY FOR THEM TO GET THE REPAIR KIT. IN OTHER WORDS... I HAV…
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I GOT THE LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH THAT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. ON SATURDAY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, BUT DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I GOT THE LETTER FROM GM. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL JULY FOR THEM TO GET THE REPAIR KIT. IN OTHER WORDS... I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND FOR 3 MONTHS WORRYING ABOUT MY SAFETY AND WHERE I MIGHT BREAK DOWN. MY WIFE AND I WERE PLANNING ON DRIVING TO FLORIDA FOR 2 WEEKS AND NOW I MIGHT HAVE TO CANCELL. I THINK THEY SHOULD COMPENSATE ME WITH A RENTED CAR UNTIL THEY FIX MINE. IT'S LIKE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE AN OVEN THAT MIGHT GO ON FIRE IF I USE IT FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T USE THE OVEN SO WHY WOULD I USE MY CAR. IT IS UNSAFE. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT DOES CATCH FIRE OR CAUSE A FIRE TO SURROUNDING OBJECTS. HOW SAFE CAN IT BE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A CAR THAT MIGHT CATCH FIRE???? HEP ME!*AK
NHTSA ODI #760150
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2002
Electrical System
WHEN TURNING IGNITION VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER THOUGHT BATTERY WAS WEAK. CONSUMER FELT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH BATTERY, IT WAS HEATING UP IGNITION, AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8006759
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2002
Unknown Or Other
PREVIOUS YEARS RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT, OWNERS YEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT AS I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM DUE TO A CORRODED MODULE SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER UNWILLING TO REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER COST. NLM
NHTSA ODI #759848
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Steering
WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS THERE IS A CLING NOISE IN THE STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *AK *YD
NHTSA ODI #8005477
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2002
Seats
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STARTING MOVING WHEN SITTING ON IT 5 MONTHS AFTER CAR WITH PURCHASED BRAND NEW-- THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM-- ENTIRE COMPONENT UNDERNEATH SEAT WAS REPLACED. 11 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM-- DEALER FIXED AGAIN AT NO CHARGE-- THEN 2 YEARS LATER AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN-- ITS SLIDES SLIGHTLY…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STARTING MOVING WHEN SITTING ON IT 5 MONTHS AFTER CAR WITH PURCHASED BRAND NEW-- THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM-- ENTIRE COMPONENT UNDERNEATH SEAT WAS REPLACED. 11 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM-- DEALER FIXED AGAIN AT NO CHARGE-- THEN 2 YEARS LATER AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN-- ITS SLIDES SLIGHTLY WHEN BRAKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AGAIN-- I KNOW THE DEALER WILL CHARGE ME NOW SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY A LONG TIME AGO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #758959
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2002
Structure
DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. TOP HINGE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE, CAUSING DOOR TO ALMOST FALL OFF. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8004265
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Air Bags
WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION OCCURRING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. UPON DEPLOYMENT AIR BAG BROKE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CONSUMER REPLACED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *JG *AK
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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