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 · Aug 29, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE STALLS AT ODD TIMES MAKING THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS POWER ASSISTED BRAKES AND STEERING, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE DASH RATTLES CONSTANTLY. THE DASH WAS REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE STALLING PROBLEM BUT IT ALSO RATTLES CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DISPLAYED BLATANT DISREGARD …
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE STALLS AT ODD TIMES MAKING THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS POWER ASSISTED BRAKES AND STEERING, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE DASH RATTLES CONSTANTLY. THE DASH WAS REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE STALLING PROBLEM BUT IT ALSO RATTLES CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DISPLAYED BLATANT DISREGARD FOR OUR PROBLEM BY SAYING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ABIDE BY THEIR 3 YEAR/ 36000 MILE WARRANTY( WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE NOT DOING, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED). THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS!
NHTSA ODI #710677
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 1999
StructureVisibility
POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS EXPERIENCING FAILURE. THE INSIDE LOCK MECHANISM ON REAR DOOR WENT OUT .THE RIGHT REAR ACTUATOR WENT OUT.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YC
NHTSA ODI #843950
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, UNABLE TO DETERMINE FAILURE. MJS
NHTSA ODI #548091
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1999
Electrical System
COMPLETE FAILURE IN CONTROL MODULE - ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH ON & ENGINE RACES IN IDLE AS WELL AS PARK - ACCELERATION WITHOUT USING ACCELERATOR PEDAL
NHTSA ODI #710243
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SQUEAKED. BRAKE ROTORS AND MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, FUEL PUMP IS GOING OUT . *AK
NHTSA ODI #844831
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT, AND WHEN COASTING WHILE MAKING A TURN WITH AIR CONDITIONING OFF, VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844772
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1999
Seats
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO LATCH IN PLACE; CAUSING SEAT TO FREELY MOVE;SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844462
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
SeatsVisibility
DRIVER SEAT LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK THE DRIVER SEAT IN PLACE IN CERTAIN POSITION. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OCCUPANT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN TURNED OFF STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844069
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A EMERGENCY / SUDDENLY, THE PEDAL IS RIGID AND DOES NOT DEPRESS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT STOP ON WET PAVEMENT / RAIN / SNOWY WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *YC
NHTSA ODI #840867
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1999
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SHAKES. DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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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