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1987 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 24 owner complaints about the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints247 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 10, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

24 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
Steering60
Seat belts62
Vehicle speed control30
Tires21
Power train20
Seats21
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Structure10
Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1987 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 87V-011 · Feb 9, 1987 · 65,594 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSSOF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other Cavalier year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cavalier median. How we score

'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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  2. BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA90041 · closed Mar 30, 1992
    No recall
  3. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
  4. POOR BRAKINGPE88085 · closed Jan 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cavalier owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN ARE LOOSE, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 826473 · Aug 10, 1998

Own a 1987 Cavalier?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.