← New search

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

What owners actually said

345 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE PURCHASED HAS NOT REACHED 2 YEARS OLD, YET WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU,AS WELL AS, THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONTACTED. A WENDY LEWIS AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF OUR PHONE CALLS(SHE HAS HAD 3 MESSAGES LEFT FOR HER).…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE PURCHASED HAS NOT REACHED 2 YEARS OLD, YET WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU,AS WELL AS, THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONTACTED. A WENDY LEWIS AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF OUR PHONE CALLS(SHE HAS HAD 3 MESSAGES LEFT FOR HER). WE FEEL AS THOUGH OUR CASE IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE ALLOWED 3 CHEVY DEALERSHIPS TRY AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES. THE TN STATE LEMON LAW CONSTITUTES 4 OR MORE REPAIRS ON THE SAME PART MAKES THE CAR DEFECTIVE. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY 5 TIMES. PLEASE HELP US IN ANY WAY YOU CAN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707546

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1999
Suspension

I RECEIVED MY 1998 CAVALIER AS A GRADUATION GIFT-,EXPECTING RELIABILITY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING MORE THAN PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE OR MORE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE REMOVED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO FIND THAT THERE…

Read full complaint

I RECEIVED MY 1998 CAVALIER AS A GRADUATION GIFT-,EXPECTING RELIABILITY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING MORE THAN PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE OR MORE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE REMOVED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO FIND THAT THERE IS ONE HALF INCH OF PLAY IN THE ROTORS, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO, CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR ON TWO NEW (FRONT) TIRES. I AM NINE MONTHS PREGNANT AND TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF!!!!! CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS?

NHTSA ODI #707242

Mileage unknown · May 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE DURING HEAVY BRAKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837912

Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE DRUMS WARPED CAUSING SPONGY BRAKES THAT LUNGE FORWARD WHEN APPLIED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #545322

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Air

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #706089

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1999
StructureVisibility

THE BUTTON ON THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN THE SUNROOF. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOUR SEPARATE TIMES AND THE BUTTON STILL DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLYFIRST DATE IT WAS BROUGHT IN 8/20/98, 2ND TIME 9/15/98, THIRD 9/24/98 AND LAST TIME WAS TAKEN IN WAS 2/5/99.

NHTSA ODI #706088

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Air BagsInjury

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN INJURY TO CONSUMER WHEN AIR BAG EXPLODED IN FACE AND BODY WHILE PARKING VEHICLE (RENTED VEHICLE). (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) MJS.

NHTSA ODI #545074

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO OVER 100 MPH. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP EVEN BY APPLYING BRAKES. HAD TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKES AND PUT IT IN PARK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835399

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 1999
Electrical System

POTENTIAL SAFTY DEFECT...AT 55 M/P/H MY CAR ENGINE CUT OUT , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I WAS ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT THEY DETECTED A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING THE FUEL FUSE , UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD NOT DETECT T…

Read full complaint

POTENTIAL SAFTY DEFECT...AT 55 M/P/H MY CAR ENGINE CUT OUT , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I WAS ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT THEY DETECTED A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING THE FUEL FUSE , UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE REASON FOR THESE FUSES BLOWING AFTER 3 DAYS OF KEEPING MY CAR AND RUNNING IT. THEY SAID THEY REMOVED GAS TANK TO TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT SATISFIED THAT THIS WILL NOT REOCCUR AND AM UNCOMFORTABLE IN DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE AT ANY SPEED IT CAN CUT OUT AND I LOOSE MY BRAKES STEERING AND ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS HAS LEFT ME IN A VERY UNSURE CONDITION AND I DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND GAVE ME 3 FUSES TO COMPENSATE ME, I FEEL A MORE RADICAL MEASURE IS WARRANTED FOR THE POTENTIAL SAFTY HAZARD OF THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP! THANK YOU GP BELL

NHTSA ODI #705523

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 1999
Electrical System

THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #544806

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.