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1997 Chevrolet CavalierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 540 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Cavalier median · #1 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints540155 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage94kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier has problems

540 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
Electrical system10717
Engine and engine cooling1065
Steering8318
Air bags7850
Service brakes, hydraulic589
Visibility401
Suspension274
Power train262
Structure201
16 other systems11923

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

7 recalls

1997 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

Structure: body

Recall 98V-032 · Feb 25, 1998 · 8 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 96V-160 · Aug 29, 1996 · 50 vehicles

Risk. THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER 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

1997 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

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 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 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING MY HORN STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INDICATOR!! 3 TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING !! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! WAS UNABLE WARN CAR BACKING OUT AND HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID ACCIDENT! REPLACED FUSE 3 TIMES!! SOMEONE MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION!! NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND…
Complaint 10838740 · Feb 27, 2016 · 162,000 miles
MY 1987 CHEVY CAVALIAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD CLICKING IN THE CLUSTER AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TURNS ON AND MY FUEL PUMP SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN IN VERY CRITICAL PLACES WHILE THIS SITUATION TAKES PLACE. THE THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT MY VEHICHLE OFF ON…
Complaint 10659080 · Nov 18, 2014 · 120,000 miles
MY REAR DEFROST QUIT WORKING AND I WENT AND CHECKED SOME OF THE CONNECTIONS. THE CONNECTION UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN MELTED, WITH THE PLASTIC SHOWING EVIDENCE OF BEING MELTED. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS IT IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU CHECK GM CARS PONTIAC, AND GM SOME OF THE…
Complaint 10652496 · Nov 4, 2014

Own a 1997 Cavalier?

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