IllustrationNHTSA RECALL 04V036000 ON THE IGNITION SWITCH . AFTER HAVING THE RELAY KIT REPLACED,THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD A REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS FAULTY. *TC
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 reportsI HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. IN FACT, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE FIRST STARTED THE CAR, AND AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OR COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. MY BRAKES CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR, AND THE ONLY WAY I CA…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. IN FACT, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE FIRST STARTED THE CAR, AND AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OR COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. MY BRAKES CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR, AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE CAR TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO PUT IT IN PARK ONCE I HAVE STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY I HEAR THE ENGINE STOP REVVING, AND THEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT'S WORKING NORMALLY. *AK
THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK. NO COLLISION PRIOR TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, SLOWED TO STOP, APPROXIMATELY FROM STOP SIGN. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO A DITCH. *AK
STEERING: RACK AND PINION. AT TIMES WHEN I COME TO A STOP I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL EITHER WAY IT'S TO HARD TO TURN. I WENT TO A GARAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION IS GOING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME FOUR TIMES SO FAR. *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT WARNING, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE DRIVER HEAD ON AT THE INTERSECTION. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD A NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY …
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THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT WARNING, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE DRIVER HEAD ON AT THE INTERSECTION. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD A NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL 6 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. THE HOUSING, THE SOCKET, AND NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. TODAY MY REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT AND UPON INSPECTION THE BULB HAD MELTED IN THE SOCKET. THIS IS POSING A HAZARD TO ME. NO BRAKE…
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I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL 6 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. THE HOUSING, THE SOCKET, AND NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. TODAY MY REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT AND UPON INSPECTION THE BULB HAD MELTED IN THE SOCKET. THIS IS POSING A HAZARD TO ME. NO BRAKE LIGHTS, OR TURN SIGNALS IN THE REAR. *JB
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, I HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YRS, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE NEXT MONTH THE COILS BURN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. I STILL HAVE A CAR NOTE AND MY CAR STILL ISN'T RUNNING, I CAN'T TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE MARKET VALUE IS LOW AND MY NEGATIVE EQUITY IS TOO HIGH. I …
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I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, I HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YRS, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE NEXT MONTH THE COILS BURN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. I STILL HAVE A CAR NOTE AND MY CAR STILL ISN'T RUNNING, I CAN'T TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE MARKET VALUE IS LOW AND MY NEGATIVE EQUITY IS TOO HIGH. I HAVE PUT ALMOST $6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS IN MY CAR AND STILL OWE $5,000.00, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY CREDIT IS BAD BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LATE ON MY CAR NOTE TRYING TO GET THE CAR FIX EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS REAL BAD, THE CORDS BURN OUT TWCE, I HAD EVERY CINSOR IN MY CAR REPLACE, I HAD TWO NEW BATTERIES IN THE LAST YEAR. EVERYTHING UNDER MY HOOD IS ALMOST BRAND NEW AND MY CAR JUST BROKE DOWN AGAIN, AND I JUST GOT IT OUT THE SHOP 1 MONTH AGO. I NEED HELP IN REGARDS TO THIS SITUATION.*AK
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AT TIMES SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED IT HAPPENED EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT IT WAS A CONCERN: SHE SAID SHE LOOKED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL. (RECALL # 02V286000 AND CAMPAIGN # 02049) SHE SAYS WHEN SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE …
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AT TIMES SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED IT HAPPENED EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT IT WAS A CONCERN: SHE SAID SHE LOOKED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL. (RECALL # 02V286000 AND CAMPAIGN # 02049) SHE SAYS WHEN SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS GOING BAD. *JB
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.