crashtest

1990 / Chevrolet

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier

Safety ratings

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.

Not ratedOverall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedSide pole
Not ratedRollover
Frontal, driver: 4★Frontal, passenger: 5★Rollover risk: 0.0%
  • Lane departure warningNo
  • Forward collision warningNo
  • Electronic stability controlNo

Crash test videos & photos

Crash test #1NHTSA test 1440

Full test report (PDF) ↗

Recalls (1)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECampaign 06E043000 · 19/05/2006

    CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

    Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

    Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Owner complaints

55
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Most-reported areas

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
  • VISIBILITY6
  • POWER TRAIN5
  • FUEL SYSTEM4
  • GASOLINE4
  • SEAT BELTS4
  • TIRES3
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

  • 12/15/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    TAILGATE LATCH WORN EXCESSIVELY, PREVENTING IT FROM STAYING CLOSED.

  • 12/15/1995· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

    ENGINE SET ON FIRE. PLEASE DISCRIBE DETAILS. TT

  • 12/12/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ARE SMOKING. TT

  • 12/11/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    WHILE DRIVING HORN PAD FELL OUT AND STUCK IN STEERING WHEEL, FROZE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RIPPED OFF DIFFERENTIAL, SPEED 30 MPH, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.. *AK

  • 11/25/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

    KNOCKING AT START UP FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PADS THE PINS WOULDN'T MOVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. HAD TO COMPRESS THE PINS LOOSE WITH A C-CLAMP. ALSO, I'VE GOT SOME KIND OF LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT'S A COMBINATION OF ANTIFREEZE & OIL. WHICH I THINK IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOCKING SOUND. MY BRAKE LIGHT & AN EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT SHOWS ON MY DASHBOARD SOMETIMES. MY FUEL MONITOR GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE EXACT AMOUNT IN TANK. COULD THE LISTED RECALL CAUSE MY CAR. TO RUNS OUT OF GAS AT QUARTER TANK OF GAS? *TR

  • 11/24/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE. *AK

  • 11/22/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    THE COOLANT FAN WONT RUN WHEN NEED HAVE TIO TURN THE HEATER ON TO RUN FAN AND TEMPERATURE LIGH COMES ON SOMETIMED WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR OR YOU CAN BE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT COMES ON. *AK

  • 11/14/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

    OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A GARAGE, WAS ASKED TO START IT, VEHICLE BLEW UP IN MECHANIC'S FACE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ENGINE AND NOW ITS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK

  • 10/29/1996· STEERING

    ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED ANTI-THEFT ALARM TO GO OFF.

  • 10/27/2005· TIRES,WHEELS

    1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST A CRETIN POINT THE RIM HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT INTO THIS 45 DEGREE DEFLECTION AND SLICES INTO THE TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. 3. I CALLED DUNLOP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TALK DOWN TO IN A CONDESCENDING MANOR, HIT A DEAD END THERE! *NM

  • 10/25/1996· VISIBILITY

    WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES REPLACED.

  • 10/04/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    ELECTRICAL FIRE.

  • 09/28/1995· POWER TRAIN

    ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD

  • 09/20/1998· POWER TRAIN

    FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. STEERING SHIMMIES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH.

  • 09/14/1995· SEAT BELTS

    SEAT BELT FAILED. *DSH

  • 09/10/1996· SUSPENSION

    WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 55MPH, EXPERIENCED LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, CAUSED WHEN BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY.*AK

  • 09/04/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.

  • 08/29/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL

  • 08/29/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL PAN. *AK

  • 08/27/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

    ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

  • 08/21/2001· TIRES

    SCHOOL HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS ON THEIR VEHICLES. A LARGE GROUP OF GOODYEARS INVICTA TIRES WERE TAKEN OFF IN 2000. LARGE CRACKS WERE SHOWING ONLY ON THE WHITE SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM SAME LOCATION, STEVES QUICK STOP. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE MAKE/ MODEL/ YEAR AND MILEAGE INFORMATION. TIRE SIZE P175/80R13, DOT# M6JUFAHR1430.*AK THE SCHOOL STATED THAT TIRES OF REGATTA SERIES ALSO HAD CRACKS IN SIDE WALL IN ADDITON TO THE PREVIOUS INVICTA BRAND. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL. *YH

  • 08/12/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    NOTICE ENGINE LEAKING OIL. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN WEATHER WAS WET. VEHICLE KEPT MOVING THROUGH RED LIGHT. NO ABS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. (RELAYED PHONE CALL).

  • 08/06/1996· STEERINGCrash

    STEERING FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH

  • 07/25/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    CONSUMER HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE STARTER AND THE USE OF A STARTER NOT DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE.*MR *TS. THE STARTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FROM THE AUTO STORE WAS SAID TO BE INCOMPATIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WORKED FINE. *JB

  • 07/20/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

  • 06/21/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP 1 WEEK. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM.

  • 06/19/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SMOKED. *SD

  • 06/04/2002· TIRES

    TREAD SERARATED FROM TIRE WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH. *AK

  • 06/01/2006· POWER TRAIN

    1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

  • 05/23/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 40MPH, SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN, NO WARNING, DUE TO COMPUTER WITHIN IGNITION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

  • 04/30/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED FIRE. *DSH

  • 04/12/1995· POWER TRAIN

    AXLE BEARING LOOSENED RESULTING IN TIRES MAKING NOISE AS THEY WERE SCRAP[NG AGAINST THE GROUND. *AK

  • 04/08/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE THERE WAS SOME SMOKE COMING UP FROM IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK.*AK

  • 04/06/1995· SEATS

    FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE SEATBACK BENCH DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION, CAUSING SEAT(S) TO FALL FORWARD. TT

  • 04/05/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    HARD TO START VEHICLE. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ERRATIC IDLE. ENGINE DIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN COMPUTER. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WHICH CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. GAS ODOR IS GONE BUT CAR STILL DIES AT STOPS AND WILL NOT IDLE CORRECTLY. DEALER COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER FOR THE CAUSES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF THEM CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE.*AK

  • 04/03/2001· SEAT BELTS

    SEATBELTS MOUNTED TO DOOR FRAME WERE CAUGHT IN DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO MECHANISM, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

  • 03/23/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    AFTER PARKED 20 MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE UNDER HODD. TT

  • 03/21/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    WHEN GOING UP A HILL, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND HAS TO RESTART AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

  • 03/21/1995· POWER TRAIN

    TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER SURGING A FEW INCHES FORWARD. *AK

  • 03/20/1995· STRUCTURE

    REAR HATCH BACK FAILURE . TT

  • 03/20/1995· SEAT BELTSCrash

    VEHICLE ROLLED, PASSENGER HAD ON SEAT BELT, ATTACHED TO DOOR, PASSENGER WAS EJECTED. TT

  • 03/11/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERHOOD, RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S; CAUSE UNKOWN; VEHICLE TOTALED; VEHICLE WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE CO. *AK

  • 03/10/1995· VISIBILITY

    WHERE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH GOES INTO THE STEERING COLUMN SMOKES. TT

  • 03/07/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

  • 02/28/1995· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER SMOKE COMES FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE USING TURN SIGNAL AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CONTROLLED BY TURN SIGNAL STALK. TT

  • 02/15/1996· VISIBILITYFire

    THE PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOWS STARTED SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

  • 02/12/1995· SEAT BELTS

    PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RUBS AGAINST BELT COVER, CAUSING BELT TO FRAY. *SKD

  • 01/30/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    THE FUEL TANK LEAKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TT

  • 01/25/1995· VISIBILITY

    STEERING COLUNM STARTS SMOKING AND THERE IS NO WINDSHEILD WIPER. TT

  • 01/24/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.*AK