IllustrationREQUEST OF RESTITUTION FOR REPAIRS MADE TO A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED THAT A PINION BEARING WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION LOCKING UP. *SCC THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cavalier years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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: 83 of 345 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 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports23 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
66 reportsI HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 1998 CAVALIER 3 TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS - THIS IS NOT A CHEAP ENDEAVOR. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1995-1997 - BUT WHAT ABOUT 1998? *LA
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WOKE TO IGNITION RUNNING. IGNITION WAS IN OFF POSITION WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND TURNED IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. JUST TH…
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CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WOKE TO IGNITION RUNNING. IGNITION WAS IN OFF POSITION WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND TURNED IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. JUST THEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. FIRE DEPT. DETERMINED FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. *PH *JB
WHILE DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED UP AGAIN. *NLM
CONSUMER STATES THAT A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATES THAT THE FIRE DEPT. SAID IT STARTED FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. TS
ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2002, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING AROUND 11:15 AM. THE CAR DID NOT START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS LEFT IN THE APARTMENT PARKING LOT. THE CAR DOOR WAS OPENED AROUND 2:00 PM AND BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT ALL OVER FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WAS A FIRE FLAME ON THE DASH-BOARD FROM THE HOLE INSIDE T…
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ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2002, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING AROUND 11:15 AM. THE CAR DID NOT START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS LEFT IN THE APARTMENT PARKING LOT. THE CAR DOOR WAS OPENED AROUND 2:00 PM AND BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT ALL OVER FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WAS A FIRE FLAME ON THE DASH-BOARD FROM THE HOLE INSIDE THE STEERING. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS IT RECEIVED OXYGEN FROM THE WIND BLOWING. IMMEDIATELY 911 WAS CALLED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME DOWN WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND BLEW OUT THE FIRE. A POLICE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. ALSO WE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE FIRE. FINALLY GM ACCEPTED FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE AFTER 14 BUSINESS DAYS. GM REIMBURSED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ALL THE EXPENSES INCURRED. DT
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, THE FUSE WOULD SHORT OUT, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING PROBLEM. *AK *JB
CONSUMER STATES THAT STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN KEY WAS TURNED TO START POSITION. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE INTERNAL SWITCH HAD MELTED.*JB
VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK, NO POWER TO STARTER. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. THERE IS A RECALL 02V070000 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR PREVIOUS MODELS, HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *TT
MY CAR STATRED TO RUN ROUGH ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT 42,008 ON OCT 29 2001.ON FEB.14 2002 THEY SAME PRBLEM OCCURED AT 48,000 MILES.IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.THERE HAS TO BE A PRBLEM SOMEWHERE AS I WAS TOLD THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE COIL …
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MY CAR STATRED TO RUN ROUGH ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT 42,008 ON OCT 29 2001.ON FEB.14 2002 THEY SAME PRBLEM OCCURED AT 48,000 MILES.IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.THERE HAS TO BE A PRBLEM SOMEWHERE AS I WAS TOLD THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE COIL ONLY ONCE IN A CARS LIFE AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONLY 6,000 MILES!COULD SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK
Official recalls
404V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 27, 2004
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
02V286000 · 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.
00V053000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
97V219000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.