IllustrationWHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE TURNING, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVED TWICE ON THE RACK AND PINION. *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 reportsWHILE MAKING A TURN POWER STEERING SHAFT PITMAN SHEARED OFF, CAUSING A MINOR COLLISION. *AK
THE TELEPHONE POLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON AT 20 MPH , AIRBAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. AS RESULT, SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK
INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEM. BRAKES "LOCK-UP"AND VEHICLE SKIDS UNDER ALL NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN VEHICLE IS "COLD." WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS, BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST AND IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE CAR WILL STOP. CAN OCCUR ON RELATIVELY LEVEL ROADS AND STEEP INCLINES ALIKE AT BEGINNING BRAKING SPEEDS FROM 5MPH UP TO…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEM. BRAKES "LOCK-UP"AND VEHICLE SKIDS UNDER ALL NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN VEHICLE IS "COLD." WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS, BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST AND IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE CAR WILL STOP. CAN OCCUR ON RELATIVELY LEVEL ROADS AND STEEP INCLINES ALIKE AT BEGINNING BRAKING SPEEDS FROM 5MPH UP TO 45MPH. VEHICLE ALSO MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN BRAKING SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND TEST DRIVEN 4 TIMES BY DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERS AND EACH TIME THEY "COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." I HAVE A FRIEND WHO DRIVES THE SAME MODEL CAVALIER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS AND HAS ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM/COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." *AK
HEAD LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM
MY 13 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND 12 YR OLD NIECE TRIED TO HIDE FROM ME AFTER A RIDE IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD LEAVE A SEATBELT BETWEEN THE BACK SEAT AND THE TRUNK TO PREVENT IT CLOSING. IT LOCKED. THEY WERE TRAPPED FOR 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAPPENED TO WALK BY THE CAR (IT WAS 90 DEGREES) AND HEARD THEM. LUCK…
Read full complaint
MY 13 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND 12 YR OLD NIECE TRIED TO HIDE FROM ME AFTER A RIDE IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD LEAVE A SEATBELT BETWEEN THE BACK SEAT AND THE TRUNK TO PREVENT IT CLOSING. IT LOCKED. THEY WERE TRAPPED FOR 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAPPENED TO WALK BY THE CAR (IT WAS 90 DEGREES) AND HEARD THEM. LUCKILY THEY WERE OKAY BUT A FEW MORE MINUTES AND THEY MAY HAVE PASSED OUT - THEN WHO KNOWS? PLEASE HAVE ALL CARS WITH SIMILAR BACK SEATS (OPEN FROM PASSENGER AREA TO THE TRUNK, BUT NOT VICE VERSA) HAVE SAFETY LATCHES PLACED IN THE TRUNK BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT WILL SAVE LIVES!
TRANSMISSON SLIPS SOMETIMES AND NO ONE CAN TILL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND THERE IS ONLY 29,917 MILES ON IT. THE CAR VIBRATES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU ARE JUST SETTING IN IT WITH THE CAR RUNNING LIKE WHEN YOU ARE AT A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. YOU JUST START THE CAR UP AND IT CLUNKS YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT CL…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSON SLIPS SOMETIMES AND NO ONE CAN TILL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND THERE IS ONLY 29,917 MILES ON IT. THE CAR VIBRATES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU ARE JUST SETTING IN IT WITH THE CAR RUNNING LIKE WHEN YOU ARE AT A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. YOU JUST START THE CAR UP AND IT CLUNKS YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT CLUNKS.
WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND CONTINUES NOT TO MOVE AS A RESULT OF THE WHEEL LOCKING , BRAKES WILL ALSO NOT WORK. *AK
DASHBOARD MATERIAL REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. MJS
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…
Read full complaint
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,
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.