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1989 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 43 owner complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

86
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years84% below the Cavalier median · #17 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints435 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage83kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

43 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
Engine and engine cooling101
Fuel system, gasoline60
Electrical system60
Structure50
Steering51
Power train50
Seat belts40
Visibility41
Seats31
7 other systems121

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

1 recall

1989 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.

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

1989 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE93090 · closed Feb 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cavalier owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN I COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR PUSH MY BRAKES TO A CERTAIN PART DOWN, THE CAR DIES. ALSO ON THE RECALL OF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS COMPUTER DID NOT GO THAT FAR BACK ON THE MODEL THEY WOULD'NT DO IT.THE DEALER WAS KARNES IN SOMERSET KY.
Complaint 10008329 · Mar 2, 2003 · 83,000 miles

Own a 1989 Cavalier?

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