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1994 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 212 owner complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year9% below the Cavalier median · #11 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21244 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage38kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 2, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

212 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, hydraulic6015
Engine and engine cooling561
Electrical system234
Seat belts229
Visibility161
Power train161
Structure130
Seats111
Suspension81
12 other systems499

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

1 recall

1994 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

1994 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

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings

1994 Chevrolet Cavaler 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HORN PAD FALLS OFFEA94033 · closed Mar 29, 1996
    No recall
  2. HORN BUTTON FALLING OFFPE94042 · closed Sep 29, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cavalier owners report

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

THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END…
Complaint 10111068 · Jan 13, 2005
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SHIMMIED. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
Complaint 8009845 · May 14, 2002
ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN APPLIED ABS WOULD KICK IN, BRAKE LOCKED UP AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, IMPACT 12:00, SPEED 40 MPH. *AK
Complaint 982847 · Apr 17, 1996

Own a 1994 Cavalier?

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