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 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic
MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT: BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. THE ABS MOTOR PACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. BAD MOTOR PACK DUE TO CORROSION IN GEARS IN MOTOR PACK. THIS CAUSES ABS TO "SHUT OFF" BUT ALSO FOR BREAKS TO DRAG, STICK, PREMATURE BREAK WEAR, AND WARPED ROTOR…
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MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT: BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. THE ABS MOTOR PACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. BAD MOTOR PACK DUE TO CORROSION IN GEARS IN MOTOR PACK. THIS CAUSES ABS TO "SHUT OFF" BUT ALSO FOR BREAKS TO DRAG, STICK, PREMATURE BREAK WEAR, AND WARPED ROTORS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE. NEWER DESIGN OF MOTOR PACK CONSISTS OF ELECTRONIC SOLENOID. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO RECALL THIS!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102254
75,000 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE BECAUSE THERE WERE ONLY TWO WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE CLUSTER. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099893
40,000 miles · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RELAY SWITCH. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE IT WAS MAKING A WINNING NOISE, AND THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO WAS FLICKERING. DEALER STATED THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10099517
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10094137
82,092 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Steering
RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. CONSUMER SAW ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM INVOLVING 1996-1998 VEHICLES, BUT THE 1999 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR ASS…
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RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. CONSUMER SAW ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM INVOLVING 1996-1998 VEHICLES, BUT THE 1999 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10081645
52,214 miles · Jul 27, 2004
Electrical System
COMPLAINT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION CIRCUITS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE RECALL SYMPTOMS 2 DAYS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10083388
320,000 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Air
WHEN DRIVING THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND RELEASED. THEN VEHICLE SLID. CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081436
45,000 miles · Jul 2, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER STATED THAT EVERY 4500 MILES RACK AND PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY WILL GIVE CONSUMER $600.00 CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080324
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2004
Electrical System
PROBLEMS WITH DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE STARTER SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HARNESS. AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASH LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT A CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…
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PROBLEMS WITH DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE STARTER SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HARNESS. AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASH LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT A CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $592.86 FOR THIS REPAIR. THE DEALER EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE WIRES BEHIND THE DASH HAD LOOSENED WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE VEHICLE MAY BE TOO DELICATE IF IT CANNOT STAND A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079870
28,000 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Electrical SystemSuspension
THE HIGH BEAMS AND DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENLY. *MR THE WIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY TRAY. (FOUND CORRODED SPLICES IN THE HARNESS UNDER THE BATTERY TRAY) THE RUNNING LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD WAS OFF AGAIN AND THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR WAS ALWAYS ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN EITHER POSITIO…
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THE HIGH BEAMS AND DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENLY. *MR THE WIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY TRAY. (FOUND CORRODED SPLICES IN THE HARNESS UNDER THE BATTERY TRAY) THE RUNNING LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD WAS OFF AGAIN AND THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR WAS ALWAYS ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN EITHER POSITION. THE PROBLEM WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS WAS YET ANOTHER CORRODED AND SHORTED OUT A WIRE FORM THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. (FOUND WIRING C101 CORRODED AND CIRCUIT 1200 AT C101 WAS REPAIRED) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT CAUSED BY A BAD SENSOR, BUT ANOTHER BAD WIRE LEADING TO A SENSOR. (FOUND WIRING TO THE VENT SOLENOID BAD) THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN HITTING LARGE BUMPS DUE TO WORN REAR STRUT MOUNTS. *SC
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.
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.
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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