Menu

1993 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 146 owner complaints about the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year38% below the Cavalier median · #13 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints14629 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage46kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 18, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

146 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
Service brakes, hydraulic535
Engine and engine cooling413
Electrical system263
Power train100
Seat belts94
Seats82
Equipment82
Structure81
Steering71
10 other systems373

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

1 recall

1993 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

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 93V-121 · Jul 21, 1993 · 2,848 vehicles

Risk. THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

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

1993 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
NHTSA crash tests

1993 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings

1993 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HORN PAD FALLS OFFEA94033 · closed Mar 29, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cavalier owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO D INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM COLLAPSED AND WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE…
Complaint 10087599 · Aug 10, 2004 · 46,400 miles
VARIOUS PROBLEMS REGARDING 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER..ONE COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON NUMEROUS MVOQ FORMS. *MR CONSUMER LOST BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID LINE FAILED. FUEL LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL COMPONENTS OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE FALLING…
Complaint 10082054 · Jul 15, 2004
MAJOR FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S WATER-RESISTANT ENVELOPE: SERIOUS WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IN RUST AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO CARPET, MOLD AND MILDEW IN CARPET AND UNDERLAY, AND UNPLEASANT ODOURS
Complaint 10071278 · Jan 15, 2004

Own a 1993 Cavalier?

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