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
43,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Fuel System, Other
DT: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CARS AND THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GAS TANK LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THERE WAS GAS. THERE WAS ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH DISPLAY THAT GAS WAS STILL IN THE TA…
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DT: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CARS AND THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GAS TANK LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THERE WAS GAS. THERE WAS ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH DISPLAY THAT GAS WAS STILL IN THE TANK. CONSUMER REALIZED HE WAS OUT OF GAS AFTER HE COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO SEND HIS NEPHEW TO A CORNER GAS STATION TO GET SOME GAS TO PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE GAS WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE IT RESTARTED AND THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE. CONSUMER DID NOT CONSULT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EPROBLEM. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE INDICATOR DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO EMPTY WHEN IT WAS EMPTY. *AK THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT THE DEALER.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10135391
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED.*MR THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLCED THREE TIMES DUE TO RUST. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REOMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132364
65,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE DASH AREA OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT STARTED AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY DO HAVE A RECALL NOT SURE IF IT INCLUDES THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AFTER TURNING IT OFF, AND THAT WAS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 6, 2005. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INSURANCE CO…
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DT: THE DASH AREA OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT STARTED AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY DO HAVE A RECALL NOT SURE IF IT INCLUDES THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AFTER TURNING IT OFF, AND THAT WAS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 6, 2005. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INSURANCE COMPANY CAME OUT AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10130819
125,000 miles · Jul 26, 2005
Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. CAR FAILS TO STEER LEFT AND ALMOST CAUSES A CRASH DUE TO LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER. ABILITY TO STEER TO THE RIGHT IS FINE. MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS NOW WORRIES ME WHEN DRIVING. DURING MY COMMUTE I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED THREE…
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RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. CAR FAILS TO STEER LEFT AND ALMOST CAUSES A CRASH DUE TO LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER. ABILITY TO STEER TO THE RIGHT IS FINE. MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS NOW WORRIES ME WHEN DRIVING. DURING MY COMMUTE I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED THREE ACCIDENTS. WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED CONSIDERING ALL THE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS LISTED WITH THE NHTSA? PLENTY OF GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD CONSUMERS TAKE THE FALL WHEN IT STEMS BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER?
NHTSA ODI #10130116
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: CONTACT STATES THE TIMING CHAIN ON HER VEHICLE BROKE ON A BUSY ROAD. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AGAIN. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, NOW THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126654
49,000 miles · Jun 12, 2005
Visibility
I HAVE A 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CONVERTIBLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IN 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW QUITE WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #10125045
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2005
Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER INQUIRING AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE CAN BEEN FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER, IF SO CAN THEY BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. *MR *NM
NHTSA ODI #10119284
8 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Steering
TAKING A LEFT TURN IN A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER LEFT WITHOUT ABILITY TO CORRECT UNTIL EXPLICIT FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE INCIDENTS LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SLUGGISH CONTROL AND THEREFORE UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH ASKED FOR 800$ FOR THE REPAI…
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TAKING A LEFT TURN IN A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER LEFT WITHOUT ABILITY TO CORRECT UNTIL EXPLICIT FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE INCIDENTS LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SLUGGISH CONTROL AND THEREFORE UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH ASKED FOR 800$ FOR THE REPAIR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN GM CARS HAS BEEN SEEN THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET, AND A COMPLAINT IS MORE THAN NECESSARY.
NHTSA ODI #10116514
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2005
Air Bags
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING IDLE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO DETERMINE FAULT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10115454
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Steering
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V286000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.*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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