I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THESE RECALLS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. I TRAVEL 17 MILES OR MORE TO AND FROM WORK EACH DAY ON THE FREEWAY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIXED ASAP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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.
What owners actually said
540 reportsI AM VERY FRUSTRATED. I AM NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO REPLACE THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS MY HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND CRUISE CONTROL YET AGAIN, AND THIS TIME ONLY 3 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS LAST REPLACED, WHICH WAS 1/2/02 AND THAT WAS ONLY 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AFTER I LAST HAD IT REPLACED IN OCTOBER, AND BEFORE THAT, IT WAS REPLACED IN A…
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I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. I AM NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO REPLACE THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS MY HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND CRUISE CONTROL YET AGAIN, AND THIS TIME ONLY 3 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS LAST REPLACED, WHICH WAS 1/2/02 AND THAT WAS ONLY 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AFTER I LAST HAD IT REPLACED IN OCTOBER, AND BEFORE THAT, IT WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST (IN ALL MY CAR HAS HAD 5 SWITCHES SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW AND NOW LOOKING AT HAVING A 6TH). FOR A SWITCH TO BURN OUT LIKE THIS SO FREQUENTLY, IS A HAZARD AND NOT SAFE, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE HAD, IN THE PAST, MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE I WAS ON A FREE-WAY AT NIGHT. MY MECHANIC, ON 1/2/02 ALSO REPLACED THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHTS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF A CHEVY DEALER MECHANIC, WHO TOLD HIM THAT APPARENTLY THE TRAILBLAZERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SAME SWITCH. I THINK THE CHEVY DEALER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR IN EVERY MONTH OR TWO TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. IT IS NOT FAIR TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAS TO DO IT FREE, AND NOT FAIR TO ME BECAUSE IT IS A BIG INCONVENIENCE, NOT TO MENTION UNSAFE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OCCURING SO FREQUENTLY. PERHAPS A RECOMMENDATION FROM YOU WOULD GET CHEVY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ON 12/2/98 AT 26,332 MILES I REPORTED A GRINDING AND THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AND THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 6/29/99 AT 34, 556 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNI…
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ON 12/2/98 AT 26,332 MILES I REPORTED A GRINDING AND THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AND THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 6/29/99 AT 34, 556 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND GIVEN A LOANER CAR. AGAIN THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY. ON 11/15/00, AT 60,152 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE EXACT SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. THIS TIME HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON 2/15/01 AT 64,434 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD UPON TURNING AND ASKED THAT THE CAR BE CHECKED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE IN THE STEERING SINCE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE EXACT SAME NOISE AS THE PRIOR TWO TIMES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ON 11/21/01, AT 81,218 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING, AS IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND CONTINUED TO MAKE ME VERY UNEASY AS TO THE CARS SAFETY. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT YES, NOW THE RACK AGAIN NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
MY HORN DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, A FRIEND RECENTLY RENTED A 2001 OR 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAS THIS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER CHEVROLETS? DEFINITELY COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD!! *AK
WAS IN ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WILL START AGAIN AFTER 5-15 MINUTES. TAKEN TO DEALER, CANNOT REMEDY. VEHICLE HAS STALLED ABOUT 15 TIMES. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON WET ROADS VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THREE PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, BACK AND NECK STRAINS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION …
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WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON WET ROADS VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THREE PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, BACK AND NECK STRAINS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
HIGHLY UNUSUAL REPAIR FOR 'NEWER' VEHICLE-1997 80,000-& UNUSUAL THAT BOTH FRONT RIGHT/FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION WAS SUGGESTED AS REASON FOR PART FAILURE SO SOON. PLEASE REVIEW MANUFACTURER'S INSTALLATION. *AK
THE CAR JERKS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AT AROUND 25,000 MILES. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS AT AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ROTORS. AT AROUND 64,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO TAKE THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY KNEW WITH OUT LOOKING AT THE CAR W…
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THE CAR JERKS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AT AROUND 25,000 MILES. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS AT AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ROTORS. AT AROUND 64,000 MILES IT HAS STARTED AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO TAKE THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY KNEW WITH OUT LOOKING AT THE CAR WHAT IT WAS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THESE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. *AK
THIS PAST THURSDAY, 10/11/01, FOR THE THIRD TIME, MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED TWICE BEFORE AND AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE IT REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THIS SWITCH RUNS MY HEADLIGHTS, BRIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH T…
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THIS PAST THURSDAY, 10/11/01, FOR THE THIRD TIME, MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED TWICE BEFORE AND AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE IT REPLACED A THIRD TIME. THIS SWITCH RUNS MY HEADLIGHTS, BRIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONNECTION APPEARS TO BE BURNING OUT. I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE BURNING OUT SO OFTEN OR IN THIS CASE, SO QUICKLY - 3 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED. I HAVE DECIDED THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SWITCH AND THE ENGINE THAT IS CAUSING THIS, THEREFORE SOMETHING CHEVY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF AND IN MY CASE, REIMBURSE ME FOR, SINCE THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS IN THE 5 YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. I ALSO FEEL, HOWEVER, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT THIS IS NOT SAFE, TO BE DRIVING ALONG AT NIGHT AND HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. MY REAR LIGHTS STAY ON, WHICH I AM GRATEFUL FOR, BUT HAVING NO HEADLIGHTS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *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
Illustration