IllustrationBRAKE DRUMS WARPED CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES THAT LUNGE FORWARD WHEN APPLIED. MJS
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
54 reportsTHIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM BUT CONSISTANTLY REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RSPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JUNK THAT THEY SOLD ME. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS ON THE MANUFACTURER GROUND EFFECTS PACKAGE THE TRANSMISSION THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM THE I HAVE HAD TO…
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM BUT CONSISTANTLY REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RSPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JUNK THAT THEY SOLD ME. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS ON THE MANUFACTURER GROUND EFFECTS PACKAGE THE TRANSMISSION THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM THE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE ROTORS TURNED AND WITHIN FOUR MONTHS HAVE BRAND NEW ROTORS BUT ON. THE SUNROOF DOESN'T OPEN PROPERLY, THE TRUNK LID HITS THE BUMPER WHEN YOU CLOSE IT,THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD RATTLE NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP,THE DOORS DO NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, THER IS TONS OF RUST ON THE INSIDE WALLS OF MY TRUNK, I WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ON THE OIL CONSUMPTION VALVE TWO WEEKS AFTER ALL THE OIL IN MY CAR HAD LEAKED OUT CAUSING MY ENGINE TO KNOCK ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK (HAD TO PUT FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN IT THREE DAYS FROM HAVING AN OIL CHANGE, I NEVER RECEIVED THE AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. TO WRAP THIS UP IN A NUTSHELL I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVROLET PRODUCT AGAIN I WILL RESULT TO A FORIEGN CAR MAKER (HONDA) TO PURCHASE MY NEXT VEHICLE. NK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND MAKES NOISES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKES. ALSO, DEALER HAD TO ADJUST THE BRAKES WHEN THESE ARE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES. *AK
BRAKES FAILED, SPRING BROKEN.
EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHENEVER TRAVELLING 25 MPH WITH THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON. ALSO, FRONT PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES, AND WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT CONDITION WAS NORMAL AT 11,000 MILES OF WEAR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
DURING WET WEATHER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD WHEN PRESSED AND YOU MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD PADS DEGLAZED AND ROTORS RESURFACED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES DURING WET WEATHER.
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT CAME ON, AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CURRENTLY AT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS/HOOD LATCH AND CALIPERS STICKING. ALSO, HAD THREE MUFFLERS REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WON'T WORK. IN ADDITION, WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ROCHER ARM GASKET, AND THE BRAKE…
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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS/HOOD LATCH AND CALIPERS STICKING. ALSO, HAD THREE MUFFLERS REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WON'T WORK. IN ADDITION, WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ROCHER ARM GASKET, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO START SLOWLY. ONCE STARTED, THE VEHCILE MERGED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER PROCEEDED, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10-15MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A VEHICLE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE N…
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CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO START SLOWLY. ONCE STARTED, THE VEHCILE MERGED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER PROCEEDED, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10-15MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A VEHICLE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES TO APPLY. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE AT 15MPH. APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MINUTES LATER, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE WHINSHIELD SHATTERED. *AK
BRAKES FAILED INSPECTION.
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.