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1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

65 reports with mileage · 175 unknown

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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DAY LAMP (LIGHTS) FUSES BLEW NUMEROUS OF TIME WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8007849

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

FIRST, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT DEALERS, THE SENSOR FAN NOW DOES NOT WORK, THE BATTERY AND RADIATOR ARE NOT FUNCTIONING, THE STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND THE BRAKES ARE SLIPPING, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING AGAIN, I REPORTED ALL THIS TO CHEVY AS I WAS NOT GETTING SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALERS IN FLOR…

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FIRST, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT DEALERS, THE SENSOR FAN NOW DOES NOT WORK, THE BATTERY AND RADIATOR ARE NOT FUNCTIONING, THE STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND THE BRAKES ARE SLIPPING, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING AGAIN, I REPORTED ALL THIS TO CHEVY AS I WAS NOT GETTING SATIFACTION FROM THE DEALERS IN FLORIDA AND NOW THE MY VEHICLE IS BROKE DOWN AND WILL NOT RUN IN BRADENTON FLORIDA AT COX CHEVELOT ON CORTEZ ROAD IN FLORIDA, I CALLED AND TALKED TO SEVERAL WOMEN IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHEVY AND THEIR NAMES ARE BRANDY MAYS AND LILLANIA LOPEZ, I STILL HAVE NO VEHICLE AND NOW I AM NOT RECEIVING ANY COURTEOUS SERVICE AS I WAS TOLD CHEVY WOULD BUY BACK THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS A LEASE. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY TRUCK AND DUE TO THE RED TAPE AND CHEVY NOW REFUSING TO HELP ASSIST ME WITH THE BUY BACK I AM UNABLE TO KEEP MY NEW TRUCK DUE TO THIS RED TAPE AND ALL THE FORMS AND INFORMATION THAT THE SERVICE DEPT. NOW SAYS I NEED TO HAVE HAD DONE, BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED WHEN I FIRST MADE THE COMPLAINT ON SEPT 7. I CALLED BACK ON SEPT, 28, WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVY WENT BACK ON THEIR WORD. I AM NOT A CAR DEALER, I DO NOT WORK AT CHEVY AS A SERVICE REPRESENTITIVE, AND I SURE DO NOT KNOW WHAT PAPERS OR FORMS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE MANUFACTURE IN DETROIT MICHIGAN NEEDS TO FILL OUT PAPERWORK. I AM AN UNSATIFIED CONSUMER, AND I FEEL THE RUN AROUND I AM RECEIVING IS A GREAT INJUSTICE. I LOVED MY CAR AND IT IS IMMACULATE INSIDE AND OUT. I ONLY WANT TO KEEP MY NEW CHEVY TRUCK WHICH IS NOT LOOKING AS A POSSIBLE OPTION AS CHEVY IS NOT COOPERATING, THE DEALER MOVED ITS LOT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS IN FLORIDA WILL NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS AN ENGINE CENSOR CHIP, THE TRANSMISSION, THE RADIATOR SENSOR FAN AND NOW THE STEERING, I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO REPAIR A SENSOR CHIP OR ANY OF THESE THINGS AND SINCE THE CAR IS IN FLORIDA I CANNOT GET IT TO KENTUCKY. NOW GMAC, MY FINANCER ON MY NEW TRUCK WILL NOT FINANCE ME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754191

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Electrical System

IGNITION WIRING OVERHEATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897086

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

FRONT TRANSAXLE WENT OUT AND WAS REPAIRED, AND THEN THE SEAL BEGAN LEAKING, ALSO INNER JOINT IN HALFSHAFT WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #562403

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ODOMETER TRIPS, CLUSTER REPLACED, ENGINE BURNING GASKET REPLACED, ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL RADIO CASSETTE PLAYS SIDES A/B SIMUTANEOUSLY AND STATION ARE STATICKY, RADIO REPLACED ONCE PROBLEM STILL EXIST BUT CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED, BACK RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR STICK AND TRANSMISSION WILL NOT CHANGE INTO 3RD GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #9003292

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Electrical System

SPARK PLUGS FAILING DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #882867

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Electrical System

WIRES FROM THE IGNITION ARE RUBBING AGAINST BOLTS ON ENGINE, AND IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF EXPOSURE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED OF VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880897

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND VEHICLE HIT A BUMP. THEN, SUDDENLY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. MOVED TO SLOW LANE & HIT CEMENT WALL & WENT INTO A TAIL SPIN. REAR BUMPER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE & CAME OFF. HORN FAILED TO WORK WHEN IT WAS USED. DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON RIGHT H…

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WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND VEHICLE HIT A BUMP. THEN, SUDDENLY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. MOVED TO SLOW LANE & HIT CEMENT WALL & WENT INTO A TAIL SPIN. REAR BUMPER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE & CAME OFF. HORN FAILED TO WORK WHEN IT WAS USED. DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON RIGHT HAND FROM PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878019

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Electrical System

CAR WAS PURCHASED AS A DEMO VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER BUT IS STILL COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTUERER'S ORIGINAL EXPRESSED WARRANTY. FIRST FAILURE RESULTED IN CAR STALLING AND TOWED AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT BY OWNER (6/00). BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR TAKEN TO ORIGINAL DEALER (CASA CHEVROLET) ON 8/11/00, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLIC…

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CAR WAS PURCHASED AS A DEMO VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER BUT IS STILL COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTUERER'S ORIGINAL EXPRESSED WARRANTY. FIRST FAILURE RESULTED IN CAR STALLING AND TOWED AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT BY OWNER (6/00). BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR TAKEN TO ORIGINAL DEALER (CASA CHEVROLET) ON 8/11/00, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAR THEN TAKEN TO SECOND GM DEALERSHIP (GALLES CHEVROLET) ON 8/21/00, ALTERNATOR FAILED TEST AND REPLACED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND CAR STALLED AND TOWED TO GALLES CHEVROLET ON 9/22/00, FUSE LINK AT STARTER REPLACED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR STALLED AND TOWED TO GALLES CHEVROLET ON 10/04/00, ALTERNATOR FAILED TEST AND REPLACED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR WAS DRIVEN TO GALLES CHEVROLET ON 10/10/00, PCM REPLACED. IN ALL INSTANCES THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 10/17/00 BUT IS INTERMITTENT AND CAR HAS NOT STALLED TO DATE. LETTER SENT TO MANUFACTUER REQUESTING REPURCHASE OF VEHICLE UNDER LEMON LAWS FOR FAILURE/INABILITY TO REPAIR THE SAME DEFECT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #734988

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000
Electrical System

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. PROBLEM WAS CAUSING THE LIGHTS INSIDE & OUTSIDE NOT TO COME ON. HAD THE FUSES REPLACED FOR ALL ELELCTRICAL COMPONENTS. ALSO HAD THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CHECKED & MECHANIC INDICATED NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BEEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE ABOUT ELECTRICAL CLUSTER PROBLEM.*AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT TH…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK. PROBLEM WAS CAUSING THE LIGHTS INSIDE & OUTSIDE NOT TO COME ON. HAD THE FUSES REPLACED FOR ALL ELELCTRICAL COMPONENTS. ALSO HAD THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CHECKED & MECHANIC INDICATED NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BEEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE ABOUT ELECTRICAL CLUSTER PROBLEM.*AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL, INSTRUMTNT CLUSTER, BRAKE LIGHTS AND BACK UP LIGHTS. *YH

NHTSA ODI #871840

Official recalls

2

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.

99V218000 · Interior Lighting

Aug 11, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

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.