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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 →

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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77,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: THE CONTACT STATED SHE THERE WAS A CRACK IN GAS TANK. IF THE CONTACT FILLED THE TANK 3/4 FULL THE TANK LEAKED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE TANK. SHE NOTICED THIS A WHILE BACK. SHE ALWAYS KEPT TANK FULL. BUT WHEN GAS PRICES WENT UP EXCESSIVELY SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO FILL IT UP. WHEN GAS PRICES WEN…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED SHE THERE WAS A CRACK IN GAS TANK. IF THE CONTACT FILLED THE TANK 3/4 FULL THE TANK LEAKED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE TANK. SHE NOTICED THIS A WHILE BACK. SHE ALWAYS KEPT TANK FULL. BUT WHEN GAS PRICES WENT UP EXCESSIVELY SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO FILL IT UP. WHEN GAS PRICES WENT DOWN, THE CONTACT FILLED IT UP AGAIN, AND THAT WAS WHEN THE TANK STARTED TO LEAK. HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CRACK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138116

76,968 miles · Apr 24, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS NOW; IN FEB. 2003 I HAD TO PAY 321.25 TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN MY CAR (WHICH WAS AN RECALL ISSUE); I ASKED MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET ON FOREST PARK PARKWAY IN FOREST PARK, GA IF THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND BOB ALLEN, THE AUTO PART SERVICE MANAGER…

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I HAVE HAD MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS NOW; IN FEB. 2003 I HAD TO PAY 321.25 TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN MY CAR (WHICH WAS AN RECALL ISSUE); I ASKED MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET ON FOREST PARK PARKWAY IN FOREST PARK, GA IF THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND BOB ALLEN, THE AUTO PART SERVICE MANAGER LIED TO ME AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE, SO I PAID $321.25 FOR REPAIR SERVICE TO FIND OUT A YEAR LATER THAT THE IGNITION SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE. SO I WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT CHEVROLET HAS AUTO REPAIR SERVICE CENTERS WITH WORKERS THAT LIES TO CONSUMERS JUST TO TAKE THEIR MONEY. AT THIS PRESENT TIME, MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WILL NOT START BECAUSE SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE FUEL FROM REACH THE MOTOR/ENGINE (WHICH IS ANOTHER RECALL PROBLEM) BUT NOT ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER; MY WHEELS FEELS AS IF THEY ARE WOBBLING SOMETIMES; AND MY STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN I TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT. BY PUTTING IN THE VIN NUMBER, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN FOUR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RECALL, SOMEONE IS AGAIN LYING AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE CARFAX REPORT. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTIES ON THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THAN THEY DO BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLES ARE LEARNED TO BE DEFECTIVE BEFORE A LIFETIME OF 5 YEARS IS UP (PRE YEARS LIFESPAN) FOR ANY VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PURCHASE THE WARRANTIES, BUT GMPP (GENERAL MOTORS PROTECTION PLAN) SHOULD REISSUE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN SOMEONE HAVE HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS I HAVE WITHIN THESE LAST TWO YEARS. I FEEL THAT THESE HEADACHES AND EXPENSES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF MARTIN BURKS HAD FIXED MY CAR THE FIRST TIME; I ALSO FEELS THAT MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET IS AN UNTRUSTWORTHY SERVICE CENTER. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO INFORM THEM OF THE UNSATISFIED SERVICE I HAVE HAD WITH MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067751

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.*MR THE VEHICLE BLEW FUSES AND DIDN'T START UNTIL IT SAT AND COOLED OFF WHICH WAS DUE TO THE BAG FULE PUMP. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10034508

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR DIES OUT, EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF,I HAVE TO RESTART, HAVE CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPT EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #727230

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR SHUT OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, AFTER SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WAS ALMOST REARENDED. SEEMS WORSE WHEN CAR IS COLD, BUT STILL SPITS AND SPUTTERS AFTER ENGINE IS WARM. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON STEADY. GAS CAP IS ON FINE. I WILL WAIT FOR TANK OF GAS TO FINISH AND GET ANOTHER TO SEE IF THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS. IF THAT D…

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CAR SHUT OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, AFTER SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. WAS ALMOST REARENDED. SEEMS WORSE WHEN CAR IS COLD, BUT STILL SPITS AND SPUTTERS AFTER ENGINE IS WARM. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON STEADY. GAS CAP IS ON FINE. I WILL WAIT FOR TANK OF GAS TO FINISH AND GET ANOTHER TO SEE IF THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, WILL TAKE IT TO BENNETT CHEVROLET, MY DEALERSHIP,

NHTSA ODI #713440

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1998
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO…

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THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SCHOOL CUSTODIANS TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES THAT RAN FROM MY CAR TO 2 OTHERS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE DUE TO EITHER FAULTY ELECTRICAL OR GAS LINES. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE HAD THEIR INSPECTOR LOOK AT THE CAR ON 11-16-98. SINCE THE INSPECTOR LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE JENNY YURENKA WILL NOT RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. A RECEPTIONIST INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL TAKE GM ANOTHER 14 DAYS TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO WITH A CAR THAT BURSTS INTO FLAMES FOR NO APPARENT REASONS.

NHTSA ODI #700824

Official recalls

4

04V036000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.