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Chevrolet CavalierYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 4,662 NHTSA owner complaints across 24 model years, the Chevrolet Cavalier years to avoid are 1997, and the strongest years are 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. The Cavalier has 40 safety recalls on record.

Chevrolet Cavalier
Years to avoid'97Use caution: 1996, 1998, 2003Best years'89 '90 '91 '92Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints4,662Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls401982–2005 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Chevrolet Cavalier years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cavalier median. Tap a year for its full report.

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2005Solid51/100287 complaints · 0 recalls2004Solid45/100330 complaints · 1 recall2003Caution29/100678 complaints · 1 recall2002Solid53/100196 complaints · 0 recalls2001Solid49/100243 complaints · 1 recall2000Solid45/100315 complaints · 2 recalls1999Solid50/100240 complaints · 2 recalls1998Caution40/100345 complaints · 4 recalls1997Avoid28/100540 complaints · 7 recalls1996Caution31/100503 complaints · 7 recalls1995Solid45/100270 complaints · 4 recalls1994Solid52/100212 complaints · 1 recall1993Solid62/100146 complaints · 1 recall1992Solid62/100134 complaints · 1 recall1991Best79/10055 complaints · 2 recalls1990Best79/10055 complaints · 0 recalls1989Best86/10043 complaints · 1 recall1988Not rated–/10012 complaints · 2 recalls1987Not rated–/10024 complaints · 2 recalls1986Not rated–/10018 complaints · 2 recalls1985Not rated–/1004 complaints · 2 recalls1984Not rated–/1008 complaints · 2 recalls1983Not rated–/1003 complaints · 5 recalls1982Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Chevrolet Cavalier problems

All model years combined: 4,662 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1165118
Engine and engine cooling72032
Service brakes, hydraulic56180
Fuel system, gasoline50813
Steering39952
Air bags328226
Power train31218
Visibility29216
Structure2027
24 other systems1368195
40 recalls

Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Exterior lighting: turn signal04V-524 · 2003 · Nov 1, 2004 · 256,025 vehicles–Seat belts: rear/other04V-300 · 2004 · Jun 23, 2004 · 37 vehicles–Ignition: switch04V-036 · 1998–2001 · Jan 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles–Steering: rack and pinion02V-286 · 1996–1998 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles–Ignition: switch02V-070 · 1995–1997 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles–Interior lighting00V-201 · 2000 · Jul 20, 2000 · 28 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings00V-053 · 1998 · Feb 28, 2000 · 391 vehicles–Interior lighting99V-218 · 1999 · Aug 11, 1999 · 6,584 vehicles–Suspension: rear98V-319 · 1996–1997 · Dec 15, 1998 · 27,083 vehicles–Air bags98V-146 · 1996–1997 · Jun 29, 1998 · 675,302 vehicles–Structure: body98V-032 · 1997 · Feb 25, 1998 · 8 vehicles–Interior lighting98V-027 · 1996 · Feb 17, 1998 · 249,420 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 40 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

30 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Cavalier

  1. ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILUREEA07015 · 2003 · closed Oct 28, 2008
    No recall
  2. FUEL PUMP FAILUREPE07033 · 2003 · closed Nov 1, 2007
    No recall
  3. TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONEA04028 · 2003 · closed Nov 22, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-524
  4. TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONPE04043 · 2003 · closed Sep 14, 2004
    No recall
  5. UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATIONDP03007 · 1996–1997 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    No recall
  6. ERRATIC FUEL GAUGEEA02028 · 2000–2001 · closed Dec 30, 2003
    No recall
  7. ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATIONPE02066 · 2000 · closed Nov 3, 2003
    No recall
  8. FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREAPE02001 · 1995–1997 · closed Mar 15, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-070
  9. ERRATIC FUEL GAUGESQ01002 · 2000–2001 · closed Sep 30, 2002
    No recall
  10. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSEA98001 · 1996–1997 · closed Jul 31, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-146