IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE SUB FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR
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
What owners actually said
345 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
I HAVE A Z24 AND MY CAR STALLS OUT AND TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING I HAVE CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAVALIER'S DO, BUT MY TYPE OF VEHICLE(Z24) ISN'T AFFECTED. EXPLAINED IT IS AND THEY SHOULD SEE ABOUT THIS. AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED. ALSO, WHEN RESEARCHING THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET I HA…
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I HAVE A Z24 AND MY CAR STALLS OUT AND TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING I HAVE CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAVALIER'S DO, BUT MY TYPE OF VEHICLE(Z24) ISN'T AFFECTED. EXPLAINED IT IS AND THEY SHOULD SEE ABOUT THIS. AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED. ALSO, WHEN RESEARCHING THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. WHY WOULD 1 TYPE OF CAR OF THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE PROBLEM AND NOT ALL OF THEM? IT HAS THE SAME COMPONENTS JUST DESIGNED A LITTLE DIFFERENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME ABNORMALLY SOFT AND THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ABS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME ABNORMALLY SOFT AND THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE COMPONENT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
STEERING DOES NOT TURN GOING AT A RATE OF 5 MPH. *TT
TOOK VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION. VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO FRAME BEING RUSTED. MECHANIC/INSPECTOR STATES THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ON THE 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THERE ARE MFG. FRAME HOLES THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTING NEAR THE REAR WHEELS. SUGGESTED THAT COULD HAVE A BODY SHOP WELD PLATES OVER THE MFG HOLES IN THE FRAME…
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TOOK VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION. VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO FRAME BEING RUSTED. MECHANIC/INSPECTOR STATES THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ON THE 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THERE ARE MFG. FRAME HOLES THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTING NEAR THE REAR WHEELS. SUGGESTED THAT COULD HAVE A BODY SHOP WELD PLATES OVER THE MFG HOLES IN THE FRAME. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE SAFETY FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO SEVERAL ROCKS. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE SAFETY FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO SEVERAL ROCKS. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,566.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS PROTRUDING OUTWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS PROTRUDING OUTWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM FAILED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM FAILED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NO EVENTS EXCEPT THE SUB FRAME JUST SPLIT IN HALF ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LITTLE CONTROL AND PULLS ERRATICALLY FROM ONE WAY TO ANOTHER, HAD TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME. *TR
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.