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1996 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 503 owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

31
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the Cavalier median · #3 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints503112 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage94kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 28, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

503 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 cooling1171
Electrical system10012
Air bags7346
Power train545
Service brakes, hydraulic547
Steering496
Suspension272
Visibility271
Seat belts216
17 other systems13813

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

7 recalls

1996 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

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 02V-286 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 02V-070 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 98V-319 · Dec 15, 1998 · 27,083 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 98V-146 · Jun 29, 1998 · 675,302 vehicles

Risk. AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Interior lighting

Recall 98V-027 · Feb 17, 1998 · 249,420 vehicles

Risk. THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Recall 96V-250 · Dec 17, 1996 · 270,014 vehicles

Risk. IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 95V-201 · Oct 23, 1995 · 360 vehicles

Risk. IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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

1996 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

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings

1996 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, and the recalls they led to.

  1. UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATIONDP03007 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    No recall
  2. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSEA98001 · closed Jul 31, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-146
  3. FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREAPE02001 · closed Mar 15, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-070
  4. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSPE97041 · closed Jan 23, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cavalier owners report

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

I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2.4L WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO. TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING TO GET GAS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO IDLE LOW AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE. AS I CAME TO A STOP IT GOT WORSE AND THEN I CHECK THE DASH FOR ANY INDICATION OF…
Complaint 10438689 · Dec 6, 2011 · 17,035 miles
I PURCHASED A 1996 CHEVY CAVALIER IN 1999 AND FROM THE BEGINNING HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON ETC. FROM 1999 TO SEPT 2010 - I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL CHEVY DEALERS WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY AND THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I WAS TOLD TO…
Complaint 10354784 · Sep 9, 2010 · 226,250 miles
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 4 DOOR, 2.2 LITER CHEVROLET CAVALIER AUTOMOBILE THAT HAS A FAULTY TIMING BELT TENSIONER. THE TENSIONER WENT AND THE TIMING BELT SKIPPED, THUS CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE FLAW IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN SOME CAR REVIEW MAGAZINES. *TR
Complaint 10230965 · Jun 13, 2008 · 220,000 miles

Own a 1996 Cavalier?

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