IllustrationVEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN CRUISING AT A LOW SPEED UP TO VERY HIGH SPEEDS. BRAKE RESPONDED, BUT SOMETIMES WERE VERY HARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*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
What owners actually said
345 reportsAFTER BEING DRIVEN 50 MILES THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A SLOPE OF 6 INCHES IN 24 FEET. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER 2 HOURS THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS 75 YARDS, OVER A SMALL TREE AND STEEL FENCE POST AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD OF TALL GRASS. DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER WAS SUBSTANTIAL. CLOS…
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AFTER BEING DRIVEN 50 MILES THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A SLOPE OF 6 INCHES IN 24 FEET. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER 2 HOURS THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS 75 YARDS, OVER A SMALL TREE AND STEEL FENCE POST AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD OF TALL GRASS. DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER WAS SUBSTANTIAL. CLOSER INVESTIGATION REVELED THAT EVEN THO THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET THE CAR WOULD ROLL. IT APPEARS THAT AFTER THE BRAKES COOLED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS THEY RELEASED THE PRESSURE AGAINST THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL EVEN THO THE SLOPE WAS VERY SLIGHT. THE ISSUE IS THAT EVEN THO THE PARKING BRAKE APPEARS TO BE SET IT WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO ROLL AFTER THE REAR BRAKES COOL AND RELEASE THE SHOES FROM THE DRUMS.*AK
CONSUMER SHUT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON THE OCCUPANT'S FINGER WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR LATCH TO JAM, AND OCCUPANT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO TAKE HER FINGER OUT. THE OCCUPANT HAD SQUEEZED HER FINGER OUT, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. WHEN THE FINGER WAS OUT OF THE DOOR MECHANISM, THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE. PLEASE PROV…
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CONSUMER SHUT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON THE OCCUPANT'S FINGER WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR LATCH TO JAM, AND OCCUPANT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO TAKE HER FINGER OUT. THE OCCUPANT HAD SQUEEZED HER FINGER OUT, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. WHEN THE FINGER WAS OUT OF THE DOOR MECHANISM, THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE DONE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THIS PATICULAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. NOSAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
JACK,WHICH CAME EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE, BROKE IN HALF WHILE IN USE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH, VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAT ON THE ROAD, AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN THE STREET. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *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.
HIGH PITCH HUM USUALLY AFTER 45 MPH BUT OCCURS ALSO WHEN MOTOR IS STRESSED RELATED NOT SHIFTING . MOTOR SHIFTS AT 10MPH, 20MPH, AND SOUNDS STRESSED / LABORED FROM 45 TO 55MPH BEFORE IT SHIFTS AGAIN IF IT SHIFTS AGAIN. CAR IS AUTOMATIC 3 SPEED. WHEN SHIFTING IT JERKS FORWARD AND THEN SUDDENLY PULLS BACKWARD HARD. WHEN SITTING S…
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HIGH PITCH HUM USUALLY AFTER 45 MPH BUT OCCURS ALSO WHEN MOTOR IS STRESSED RELATED NOT SHIFTING . MOTOR SHIFTS AT 10MPH, 20MPH, AND SOUNDS STRESSED / LABORED FROM 45 TO 55MPH BEFORE IT SHIFTS AGAIN IF IT SHIFTS AGAIN. CAR IS AUTOMATIC 3 SPEED. WHEN SHIFTING IT JERKS FORWARD AND THEN SUDDENLY PULLS BACKWARD HARD. WHEN SITTING STILL SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE CAR JERKS HARD. WHENSITTING STILL AND SHIFTING FROM REAR TO DRIVE, CAR SHIFTS HARD. ALL GEARS SHIFT HARD. USING TRANSMISSION OIL. OFTEN HAVE TO RESTART ENGINE 4 TIMES BEFORE IT REMAINS RUNNING. COUNT TO 10 BEFORE RESTARTING DOES NOT HELP. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, OFTEN FEELS A HARD PULLING LIKE IT IS REALLY WORKING HARD TO PULL ITSELF. ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES AS IF IT HAS ITS OWN MIND. CHEVY TRIED TO REPROGRAM TWICE BUT WOULD NOT TAKE SO REPLACED COMPUTER ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. BUT IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. *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.