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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.

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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

2 reports
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29,346 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASE A USED 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER IN HAMILTON NJ. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN LATE 2001, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE MANY TIMES FOR THE WINDOWS AND LOCKS NOT WORKING AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND HAS HAD THREE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD A NEW REGULATOR WAS PUT IN.…

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I PURCHASE A USED 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER IN HAMILTON NJ. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN LATE 2001, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE MANY TIMES FOR THE WINDOWS AND LOCKS NOT WORKING AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND HAS HAD THREE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD A NEW REGULATOR WAS PUT IN. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE QUALITY OF THE REGULATORS, THE DEALER TOLD ME MY COMPLAINT WAS WITH GM AND NOT THEM BECAUSE THEY GET THEIR PARTS FROM GM. HOW CAN THE WINDOW REGULATORS BE "BAD" THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR? BESIDES THE WINDOWS, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS NOT WORKING AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR NOT CLOSING. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WARRENTY EXPIRES AND I NEED YET ANOTHER WINDOW REGULATOR? I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE NJ USED CAR LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS BEGAN THREE MONTHS BEYOND THE LIMITATION DATE, EVEN THOUGH I MET EVERY OTHER QUALIFICATION.

NHTSA ODI #10016138

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR LATCH BROKE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001 HAD IT REPLACE. THE IN MARCH OF 2003 THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE SO THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE.

NHTSA ODI #10010976

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.