IllustrationBOTH TURN SIGNALS AND HORN DO NOT WORK, BOTH ARE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FIVE TIEMS. DEALER HAS MADE CHANGES TO STEERING COLUMN. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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 reportsMY VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE DOING EVERYTHING A NEW CAR SHOULD DO. THIS VEHICLE HAS JEOPORDIZED MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HAVING THE HORN NOT WORK WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLS OUT ON ME IS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. EVERYTIME THE OIL IS CHANGED ON THE CAR THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION IS…
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MY VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE DOING EVERYTHING A NEW CAR SHOULD DO. THIS VEHICLE HAS JEOPORDIZED MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HAVING THE HORN NOT WORK WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLS OUT ON ME IS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. EVERYTIME THE OIL IS CHANGED ON THE CAR THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY REPLACING THE SHAFT SEAL IS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN IT LEAKS AGAIN 3000 MILES IN BETWEEN DEALERSHIP VISITS. HAVING A CONSTANT GASOLINE AND SULFER ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WORRIES ME ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING I HAVE TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.WHEN BROUGHT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER ANYMORE UNLESS A ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS VEHICLE WILL SHORTLY RUN OUT OF WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE GENERAL MOTORS HAS BLOWN OFF MY LETTERS, PHONECALLS AND E-MAILS KNOWING THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER, SINCERELY CLIFTON COLE. *AK
THIS PATICULAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. NOSAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
EGR VALVE: REPLACED TWICE, CLEANED ONCE; GM REP. SAYS NOT HIS PROBLEM AFTER 24K MILES; CAR HAS MISS AND IDLES ROUGH, CODES DETECTED P0300, P0404, P1404, P0405; DLR REPLACE PCM COMPUTER. CALLED STATE A.G.
SPARK PLUG WIRES SHORTED. YH
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK AREA AND SPREAD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING / PARKING THE VEHICLE. MAUFACTURER'S ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED BY A FAULTY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE TRUNK. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
DUE TO A SHORT WITHIN A FUSE, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
POTENTIAL SAFTY DEFECT...AT 55 M/P/H MY CAR ENGINE CUT OUT , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I WAS ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT THEY DETECTED A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING THE FUEL FUSE , UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD NOT DETECT T…
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POTENTIAL SAFTY DEFECT...AT 55 M/P/H MY CAR ENGINE CUT OUT , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I WAS ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT THEY DETECTED A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING THE FUEL FUSE , UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE REASON FOR THESE FUSES BLOWING AFTER 3 DAYS OF KEEPING MY CAR AND RUNNING IT. THEY SAID THEY REMOVED GAS TANK TO TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT SATISFIED THAT THIS WILL NOT REOCCUR AND AM UNCOMFORTABLE IN DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE AT ANY SPEED IT CAN CUT OUT AND I LOOSE MY BRAKES STEERING AND ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS HAS LEFT ME IN A VERY UNSURE CONDITION AND I DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND GAVE ME 3 FUSES TO COMPENSATE ME, I FEEL A MORE RADICAL MEASURE IS WARRANTED FOR THE POTENTIAL SAFTY HAZARD OF THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP! THANK YOU GP BELL
THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK FAILED. *YC
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON OR THE DEFOGGER ON, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK CASE POSITION SENSOR AND A COMPUTER CHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD REOCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *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.