IllustrationPOWER STEERING RACK AND PINION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. HAD NO STEERING CONTROL. *AK
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 →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
30–25K
1625–50K
1650–75K
1375–100K
7100–150K
10150K+
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
What owners actually said
240 reportsWIRES 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
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY SITUATION. *AK SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK. VEHICLE ROLLS WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE IS APPLIED. *YH
MAIN SEAL LEAKED OIL AT 5000 MILES, VEHICLE IS HARD TO RESTART ONCE IT HAS RUN FOR A WHILE. *SLC
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT AT SPEED 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS FORCED INTO A DITCH AT 30 MPH IMPACT HEAD-ON IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ,CAUSING DRIVER TO GO INTO STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT KICK IN. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PLEAS…
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CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT AT SPEED 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS FORCED INTO A DITCH AT 30 MPH IMPACT HEAD-ON IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ,CAUSING DRIVER TO GO INTO STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT KICK IN. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE ALWAYS TWISTED,TAKEN BACK TO DEALER 3 TIMES, DEALER SAID ALL CAVALIERS ARE LIKE THIS. COMPARED TO A NEW ONE AND SAID LOOK AT THE NEW ONE IT'S JUST LIKE YOURS, CANNOT RESOLVE PROBLEM.BUT IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SAID ,NOT TO PUT SEAT BELTS ON WHEN THERE TWISTED, OR RISK SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.*AK
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS WARPING CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONTINUALLY, AFTER SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS OF THE SYSTEM (ROTORS, PADS, CALIPER SLEEVES) THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED, FINAL ANALYSIS REVEALED A DEFECTIVE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM CAUSING PROBLEMS. *MJS
WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. HAD IT TOWED INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE CLUTCH & 3RD & 4TH GEAR WENT OUT. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN TO OTHER SIMILAR CARS. I TALKED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS BEEN SERVICING CHEVY CA…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. HAD IT TOWED INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE CLUTCH & 3RD & 4TH GEAR WENT OUT. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN TO OTHER SIMILAR CARS. I TALKED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS BEEN SERVICING CHEVY CARS FOR 22 YEARS. HE STATED THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHICH CAUSES THE CLUTCH TO NOT DISENGAGE AND BURNS UP THE CLUTCH AND RUINS THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED WITH NO WARNING ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THEY FIXED THE CAR TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ON THE SAME HIGHWAY AND THE CLUTCH BURNED UP AGAIN. IT IS NOW BACK THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED.*AK
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
Official recalls
204V036000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.