VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A DIP STICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO THEM IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE CHECKED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE DEALER WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE. *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.
What owners actually said
345 reportsCONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET HOME, THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ALSO ILLUMINATED. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL. THE CONS…
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CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET HOME, THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ALSO ILLUMINATED. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO TELL THE CONSUMER THAT THEY DID THEIR PART AND ANYTHING FURTHER WOULD COST THE CONSUMER. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE UNDER SLOW ACCELERATION THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS MISFIRING OR HESITATING. THE CAR JERKS REPETITIVELY. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP NO CODES WHERE DETECTED. *AK
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRIM AROUND THE DASHBOARD AND RADIO CRACKED AND PEELED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR IF HE HIT SOMETHING, IN ADDITION TO THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, PIECES OF THIS PLASTIC WOULD COME OFF, INJURING OR HARMING HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRIM AROUND THE DASHBOARD AND RADIO CRACKED AND PEELED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR IF HE HIT SOMETHING, IN ADDITION TO THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, PIECES OF THIS PLASTIC WOULD COME OFF, INJURING OR HARMING HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. *AK *SC *JB
IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIM…
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IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. SINCE THE 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IS DONE I HAVE TO RELY ON THE PARTS WARRANTY, WHICH DOES NOT HELP ME IF I HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVERY YEAR. THREE SAME EXACT SENSORS REPLACED LESS THAT TWO YEARS IS SENSELESS. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH. *MR RECALL#04V036000. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER AND BATTERY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SC
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE (TYPE OF RECALL REPAIR WASN'T STATED). WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE…
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WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE (TYPE OF RECALL REPAIR WASN'T STATED). WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND THOUGHT THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BELT FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER. CONSUMER DECIDED TO HAVE IT CONSULTED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC BY (PRESUMABLY) A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER. AS THE DRIVER WAS ABOUT TO RESUME COMING FROM A STOP SIGN, STEERING RACK AND PINION MECHANISM FELL WHICH ALSO LED TO STEERING LOCK-UP. THE STEERING FAILURE RESULTED THE DRIVER TO OVER TURN VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. POLICE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BOLT FROM THE FALLEN MECHANISM WAS MISSING. *LA
I HAVE HAD MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS NOW; IN FEB. 2003 I HAD TO PAY 321.25 TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN MY CAR (WHICH WAS AN RECALL ISSUE); I ASKED MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET ON FOREST PARK PARKWAY IN FOREST PARK, GA IF THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND BOB ALLEN, THE AUTO PART SERVICE MANAGER…
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I HAVE HAD MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS NOW; IN FEB. 2003 I HAD TO PAY 321.25 TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN MY CAR (WHICH WAS AN RECALL ISSUE); I ASKED MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET ON FOREST PARK PARKWAY IN FOREST PARK, GA IF THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND BOB ALLEN, THE AUTO PART SERVICE MANAGER LIED TO ME AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE, SO I PAID $321.25 FOR REPAIR SERVICE TO FIND OUT A YEAR LATER THAT THE IGNITION SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE. SO I WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT CHEVROLET HAS AUTO REPAIR SERVICE CENTERS WITH WORKERS THAT LIES TO CONSUMERS JUST TO TAKE THEIR MONEY. AT THIS PRESENT TIME, MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WILL NOT START BECAUSE SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE FUEL FROM REACH THE MOTOR/ENGINE (WHICH IS ANOTHER RECALL PROBLEM) BUT NOT ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER; MY WHEELS FEELS AS IF THEY ARE WOBBLING SOMETIMES; AND MY STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN I TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT. BY PUTTING IN THE VIN NUMBER, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN FOUR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RECALL, SOMEONE IS AGAIN LYING AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE CARFAX REPORT. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTIES ON THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THAN THEY DO BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLES ARE LEARNED TO BE DEFECTIVE BEFORE A LIFETIME OF 5 YEARS IS UP (PRE YEARS LIFESPAN) FOR ANY VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PURCHASE THE WARRANTIES, BUT GMPP (GENERAL MOTORS PROTECTION PLAN) SHOULD REISSUE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN SOMEONE HAVE HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS I HAVE WITHIN THESE LAST TWO YEARS. I FEEL THAT THESE HEADACHES AND EXPENSES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF MARTIN BURKS HAD FIXED MY CAR THE FIRST TIME; I ALSO FEELS THAT MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET IS AN UNTRUSTWORTHY SERVICE CENTER. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO INFORM THEM OF THE UNSATISFIED SERVICE I HAVE HAD WITH MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER. *AK
ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE CAME OUT THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE IGNITION SYS…
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ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE CAME OUT THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS ALONG WITH REIMBURSEMENT FOR OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED. *NM
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.
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