IllustrationHEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION AT ANY SPEED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, AND DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAS CORRODED, AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
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 reportsWHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED IT WOULD STALL OUT. RPMS WOULD REV UP FROM ZERO, AND VEHICLE STALLED. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER FIRST TIME, AND MECHANIC CHANGED SPARK PLUGS. PROBLEM REOCCURRED TWICE SINCE THEN, 2 MONTHS LATER. *AK
VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE, DUE TO THEM BEING WARPED, AT TIMES CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, DEALER STATES THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.*JB
APPROXIAMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS STARTED. FIRST THE SEAT BELT COVERS SNAPPED OFF, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING STABILIZERS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH IS RARELY USED FAILED AT ABOUT 55-60,000 MILES, THE BATTERY BUSTED AND LEAKED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD, THE JACK WA…
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APPROXIAMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS STARTED. FIRST THE SEAT BELT COVERS SNAPPED OFF, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING STABILIZERS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH IS RARELY USED FAILED AT ABOUT 55-60,000 MILES, THE BATTERY BUSTED AND LEAKED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD, THE JACK WAS WARPED, THE GAS GUAGE READS INCORRECTLY, THE SUNROOF STOPPED WORKING AFTER 30000 MILES, DASH RATTLES, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT STAY CLOSED, PASS SEAT GETS STUCK WHEN YOU MOVE IT FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO APPLY MORE FORCE THAN USUAL TO GET IT MOVING, DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, MORE AIR THAN NORMAL COMES INTO VEHICLE, THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 30000 MILES, INSTALLED SIDEWINDER 6500 CAR ALARM WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER THE BATTERY BUSTED, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS NOT MENTIONED HERE.*AK
EVER SINCE WE'VE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THERE'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IT WILL STALL OUT AND SHUT OFF. IN FEB OF 2000 THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GAS GAUGE FLUCUATES. IT WILL SHOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT AND TEN MINUTES LATER THE CHECK GAS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAUGE DROPS. SO…
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EVER SINCE WE'VE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THERE'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IT WILL STALL OUT AND SHUT OFF. IN FEB OF 2000 THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GAS GAUGE FLUCUATES. IT WILL SHOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT AND TEN MINUTES LATER THE CHECK GAS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAUGE DROPS. SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WENT BAD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WON'T SHUT ANY MORE, THE LATCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT'S LIKE EVERY 3 OT 4 MONTHS SOMETHING WITHER MINOR OR SIGNIFICANT GOES WRONG WITH IT AND PERSOANLLY I AM SICK OF IT. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS A LEMON AND I WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.*AK
THE RADIO HAS FAILED 3 TIMES. NLM
HORN BECOMES INOPERABLE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN OR RIGHT TURN.*AK
THE WIRING ON MY 1998 CAVLIER WORE THRUGH AND SHORTED OUT IGNITION AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. I PAID DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS NOW HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER'S 1998 CAVALIER AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE THE DEALER SHE IS TALKING TO SAYS THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CLIP THAT RETAINS THE WIRING HARNESS AND THEY STATE…
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THE WIRING ON MY 1998 CAVLIER WORE THRUGH AND SHORTED OUT IGNITION AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. I PAID DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS NOW HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER'S 1998 CAVALIER AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE THE DEALER SHE IS TALKING TO SAYS THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CLIP THAT RETAINS THE WIRING HARNESS AND THEY STATE THE DEFECT IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO TALK BECAUSE SHE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY CHEVROLET SUPPORTS THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH IF IN ONE FAMILY THE SAME DEFECT DEVELOPS AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE, ON THE MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. OTHERS MUST BE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK
CAR IS A COMPLETE LEMON MADE WITH POOR QUALITY. IT IS UNREALIBLE AND A CONSTANT HEADACHE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
AIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED …
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AIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED ALARM MODULE, OK.
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.