crashtest

1998 / Chevrolet

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier

Safety ratings

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR.

Not ratedOverall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedSide pole
Not ratedRollover
Frontal, driver: 3★Frontal, passenger: 4★Side, driver: 1★Side, rear passenger: 2★Rollover risk: 0.0%
  • Lane departure warningNo
  • Forward collision warningNo
  • Electronic stability controlNo

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.

Not ratedOverall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedSide pole
Not ratedRollover
Frontal, driver: 4★Frontal, passenger: 4★Side, driver: 1★Side, rear passenger: 3★Rollover risk: 0.0%
  • Lane departure warningNo
  • Forward collision warningNo
  • Electronic stability controlNo

Crash test videos & photos

Crash test #1NHTSA test 2973

Full test report (PDF) ↗

Crash-test footage is converted for smooth playback the first time someone requests it — usually under a minute.

Crash test #2NHTSA test 3177

Full test report (PDF) ↗

Recalls (11)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSCampaign 00V053000 · 28/02/2000

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.

    Risk: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

    Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHCampaign 04V036000 · 27/01/2004

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

    Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

    Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 07E015000 · 26/02/2007

    CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.

    Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

    Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.

  • WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDSCampaign 97V219000 · 24/11/1997

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.

    Risk: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

    Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 06E049000 · 24/05/2006

    CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 06E026000 · 23/03/2006

    CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

  • STEERINGCampaign 08E063000 · 17/10/2008

    DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

    Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICESCampaign 07E021000 · 12/03/2007

    CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

    Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSCampaign 09E025000 · 11/05/2009

    DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009

    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • STEERING:RACK AND PINIONCampaign 02V286000 · 04/11/2002

    CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

    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. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

    Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Owner complaints

363
Complaints
39
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
35
Injuries
0
Deaths

Most-reported areas

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66
  • SERVICE BRAKES61
  • STEERING57
  • HYDRAULIC56
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING54
  • AIR BAGS36
  • STRUCTURE26
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING17
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)

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

  • 12/28/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

    THE TELEPHONE POLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON AT 20 MPH , AIRBAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. AS RESULT, SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK

  • 12/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    INTERMITTENT BRAKING PROBLEM. BRAKES "LOCK-UP"AND VEHICLE SKIDS UNDER ALL NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN VEHICLE IS "COLD." WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS, BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST AND IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE CAR WILL STOP. CAN OCCUR ON RELATIVELY LEVEL ROADS AND STEEP INCLINES ALIKE AT BEGINNING BRAKING SPEEDS FROM 5MPH UP TO 45MPH. VEHICLE ALSO MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUNDS WHEN BRAKING SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND TEST DRIVEN 4 TIMES BY DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERS AND EACH TIME THEY "COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." I HAVE A FRIEND WHO DRIVES THE SAME MODEL CAVALIER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS AND HAS ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM/COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." *AK

  • 12/23/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

    I REAR ENDED SOMEONE GOING 45 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. THIS WAS A FRONTAL CRASH AND FROM ALL THE LITERATURE I HAVE READ, IT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *NM

  • 12/23/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    RECALL 04V036000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO DO RECALL REPAIRS AGAIN. *AK

  • 12/22/2005· TIRES

    1998 CHEVY CAVALIER RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. *TS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. *JB

  • 12/21/2000· SEATSCrash

    WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REARENDED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, PASSENGER'S SEAT RECLINED ALL THE WAY, DRIVER'S SEAT 3/4 OF THE WAY. *AK

  • 12/21/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    HEAD LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM

  • 12/20/2002· STEERING

    RECALL CAMPAIGN: STEERING: GEAR: RACK AND PINION (RECALL NUMBER 02V286000). THE VEHICLE'S RACK AND PINION FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM

  • 12/19/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

    ON DECEMBER 12, 1998 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS I FOLLOWED THE OTHER DRIVER TO A NEAR BY PARKING LOT TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE MY AIR BAGS BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WENT OFF. I BELIEVE THEY FAILED IN THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY DIDNT INFLATE UNTIL ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN WE WERE PULLING OFF THE ROAD. WHEN THEY FINALLY DID EJECT AND INFLATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER BLEW OUT AND SHATTERED MY WINSHIELD CAUSING AN ADDITIONAL $412 WORTH OF DAMAGE!!! I AM JUST GLAD IT WASNT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEN THEY WOULD OF BEEN TOTALLY USELESS. I TRUELY BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE AND CAUSED ME AN ADDITIONAL $412 IN THE COST OF MY REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE FACT THEY WERE NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY I SHOULD BE INTITLED TO SOME SORT OF RETRIBUTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND RAPID RESPONSE TO MY PROBLEM AND CONCERN!!!

  • 12/18/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

    WHILE DRIVING 20-25MPH, GOING UP RAMP, FRONTAL IMPACT OCCURRED. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BROKE WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

  • 12/16/2009· STRUCTURE

    THE 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STARTS TO SHAKE WHEN IT REACHES 60 MPH OR MORE. IT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING. *TR

  • 12/16/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    SMELL OF BURNING WIRES WHEN DRIVING.

  • 12/15/2008· STRUCTURE

    I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I TOOK OFF AND FELT A PULL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD MY BROTHER IN LAW CHECK IT OUT AND THE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED. WE REPLACED IT BUT FEEL THIS NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

  • 12/13/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

    I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND SO DID MY FATHER-IN-LAW WHO DROVE CAR BEFORE ME. ABS WAS ALWAYS VERY SENSITIVE TO ACTIVATING AND WHEN ACTIVATED VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I HAVE BE DRIVING 40 YEARS AND NEVER OWNED A MORE DIFFICULT VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD BRAKES SERVICED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AGO AT DEALER, HAVE BRAND NEW MICHELINS. DOES NOT MATTER, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAVALIER ABS SYSTEM AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

  • 12/12/2011· STRUCTURE

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS PROTRUDING OUTWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  • 12/10/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH, AS STATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IF THE CORRECT KEY IS NOT USED TO START THE CAR, FUEL IS CUT OFF TO THE ENGINE. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THEN FLASHES, AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR FOR (AS I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN) EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW 5 YEARS AGO. THIS SCENARIO HAS HAPPENED TO ME DOZENS OF TIMES. I START THE CAR (WITH THE CORRECT KEY, OF COURSE) AND THE CAR DOES NOT START-THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, AND I CAN NOT START THE CAR DURING THIS TIME...IF YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR DURING THIS TIME, YOU ARE FORCED TO WAIT EVEN LONGER BEFORE THE LIGHT STOPS FLASHING AND YOU CAN RESTART THE ENGINE. ON THE OCCASIONS THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY EITHER TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG, OR THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE EXTERNAL ALARM, OR THEY JUST SAID IT WAS FIXED...MEANWHILE, THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE FEATURE WAS-I HAD TO TELL THEM THAT IT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. LONG STORY SHORT, THIS THEFT SYSTEM HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HAS CAUSED MANY INCONVENIENCES FOR ME! OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, AND NEITHER WERE AWARE OF THE FEATURE, OR THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THE DEALER SAID TO BRING IT IN, BUT FOR ME TO TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORK IS DIFFICULT-ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY PROBABLY WON'T FIX A THING. I AM DESPERATE FOR SOME HELP WITH WHAT I CONSIDER A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR! DT

  • 12/08/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    VEHICLE TENDS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING EVEN AFTER THE STEERING COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE SWERVES UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. *AK THE STEERING VEARED TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. BRAKE POWER BOOSTER PUMP WENT OUT LEAVING THE VEHICLE BRAKELESS. *TC

  • 12/08/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENTCrash

    CHEY CAVALIER HAS ABS LIGHT ON FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. ALSO IT HAS FAIL MANY TIMES I CALLED THE COMPANY FOR ANSWERS BUT NO ONE HAS HELP. *JB

  • 12/08/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. PEDAL GOES PARTIALLY TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK

  • 12/07/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

    WHILE DRIVING THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT CAME ON, AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CURRENTLY AT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

  • 12/05/2012· STRUCTURE

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

  • 12/03/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS/HOOD LATCH AND CALIPERS STICKING. ALSO, HAD THREE MUFFLERS REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WON'T WORK. IN ADDITION, WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ROCHER ARM GASKET, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

  • 12/02/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE WHEN I AT 2000RPMS AND I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF FIXING IT BECAUSE CHEVY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAD NOT FOUND WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE BUT THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT TRYING TO FIX IT

  • 12/01/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGSCrash

    CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO START SLOWLY. ONCE STARTED, THE VEHCILE MERGED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER PROCEEDED, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10-15MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A VEHICLE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES TO APPLY. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE AT 15MPH. APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MINUTES LATER, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE WHINSHIELD SHATTERED. *AK

  • 11/30/2009· STRUCTURE

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. ALSO WHEN STRIKING A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD WAY, THE VEHICLE WILL FISH TAIL. DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLES SUB FRAME HAD CORROSION. IT COST $3500.00 TO REPAIR THE FRAME. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172000.

  • 11/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    NHTSA RECALL 04V036000 ON THE IGNITION SWITCH . AFTER HAVING THE RELAY KIT REPLACED,THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD A REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS FAULTY. *TC

  • 11/29/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. IN FACT, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE FIRST STARTED THE CAR, AND AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OR COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. MY BRAKES CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR, AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE CAR TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO PUT IT IN PARK ONCE I HAVE STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY I HEAR THE ENGINE STOP REVVING, AND THEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT'S WORKING NORMALLY. *AK

  • 11/29/2000· STEERING

    THE STEERING GEAR RACK HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. *MJS

  • 11/28/2000· STRUCTURE

    TRUNK LEAKS WATER. *MJS

  • 11/28/1999· SEATS

    MY 13 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND 12 YR OLD NIECE TRIED TO HIDE FROM ME AFTER A RIDE IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD LEAVE A SEATBELT BETWEEN THE BACK SEAT AND THE TRUNK TO PREVENT IT CLOSING. IT LOCKED. THEY WERE TRAPPED FOR 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAPPENED TO WALK BY THE CAR (IT WAS 90 DEGREES) AND HEARD THEM. LUCKILY THEY WERE OKAY BUT A FEW MORE MINUTES AND THEY MAY HAVE PASSED OUT - THEN WHO KNOWS? PLEASE HAVE ALL CARS WITH SIMILAR BACK SEATS (OPEN FROM PASSENGER AREA TO THE TRUNK, BUT NOT VICE VERSA) HAVE SAFETY LATCHES PLACED IN THE TRUNK BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT WILL SAVE LIVES!

  • 11/26/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    WE ALSO OWN A 93 CAVALIER THAT IS ALWAYS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

  • 11/22/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SCHOOL CUSTODIANS TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES THAT RAN FROM MY CAR TO 2 OTHERS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE DUE TO EITHER FAULTY ELECTRICAL OR GAS LINES. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE HAD THEIR INSPECTOR LOOK AT THE CAR ON 11-16-98. SINCE THE INSPECTOR LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE JENNY YURENKA WILL NOT RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. A RECEPTIONIST INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL TAKE GM ANOTHER 14 DAYS TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO WITH A CAR THAT BURSTS INTO FLAMES FOR NO APPARENT REASONS.

  • 11/20/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    CONSUMER STATES THAT A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATES THAT THE FIRE DEPT. SAID IT STARTED FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. TS

  • 11/20/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO TURN ON LOW BEAMS. *AK

  • 11/19/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

    WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ,THEN THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD, NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, PER THE FIRE INSPECTOR.*AK

  • 11/19/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

    TRANSMISSON SLIPS SOMETIMES AND NO ONE CAN TILL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND THERE IS ONLY 29,917 MILES ON IT. THE CAR VIBRATES REALLY BAD WHEN YOU ARE JUST SETTING IN IT WITH THE CAR RUNNING LIKE WHEN YOU ARE AT A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. YOU JUST START THE CAR UP AND IT CLUNKS YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT CLUNKS.

  • 11/18/2002· STEERING

    CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH, "SOFTLY" TURNED STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD. CONSUMER LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE'S STEERING, TRAVELLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. CONSUMER FEELS ISSUE MAY BE RELATED TO CURRENT RECALL 02V286000 TS

  • 11/18/1998· AIR BAGS

    FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (UNDERCARRIAGE) WHEN CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE OFF ROAD.

  • 11/17/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    THE ENGINE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE AND THE GAS PUMP KEPT MESSING UP AND THE GAS NEEDLE DOESN,T SHOW CORRECT IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE A QUARTER TANK, AND THE THROTTLE SENSOR IS MESSED UP I WAS ON I-4 WHICH IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN ORLANDO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE WAS ON BUT LOSS POWER AND STALLED OUT.

  • 11/17/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

    THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK. NO COLLISION PRIOR TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, SLOWED TO STOP, APPROXIMATELY FROM STOP SIGN. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO A DITCH. *AK

  • 11/17/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK

  • 11/17/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

    HAD TROUBLE WITH TRACTION LIGHT. CAR WOULD LOSE TRACTION EVEN WITH NEW TIREW ALL TIME BRAKES AND CAR WAS TOTALED IN CAR WRECK, AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT, AND DAUGHTER WAS HURT. IT WAS A FRONT AND SIDE AND BACK HIT AT 55-60 MPH, HITTING A RAMP DIRECT AND BOUNCING OFF, AND HITTING AGAIN ON AN INTERSTATE. VERY UPSET THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT, WOULD OF PREVENTED MAYBE DAUGHTER FROM GETTING HURT SO BADLY. *AK

  • 11/17/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND CONTINUES NOT TO MOVE AS A RESULT OF THE WHEEL LOCKING , BRAKES WILL ALSO NOT WORK. *AK

  • 11/12/2005· STEERING

    THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION ON 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BUILD IN 4-01-1997 TO 10-31-1997 MINE WAS MADE 11-01-1997. I KNOW THAT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH MINE BECAUSE AT TIMES I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL WHEN I SLOW DOWN. THE REASON I'M WRITING ABOUT THIS IS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE BEEN OTHER REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER 98 CAVALIERS MADE AT THIS TIME. I WOULD LIKE A REPORT SENT TO GENERAL MOTORS TO SEE IF THEY WILL GO GOOD FOR THIS PART. I HAVE A CHILD AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY THAT THEY SHOULD GO GOOD FOR IT AND HAVE IT FIX BY A DEALER AND THEY SHOULD PAY THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK . YOU HAVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BACK ON THIS REAL SOON. THANK YOU. *JB

  • 11/12/1999· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    DASHBOARD MATERIAL REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. MJS

  • 11/10/2003· STEERING

    CHEVROLET CAVLIER 1998 - THE CAR IS ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 33,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD STEERING ISSUES FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS WITH THIS CAR. I CAN NOT PARALLEL PARK OR MAKE HARD TURNS WITH OUT THE STEERING LOCKING UP OR FORCING ME TO YOU MY ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT TO GE THE WHEEL TO MOVE. WHEN I'VE TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY SIMPLY SAY THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS DESIGNED USE THE GAS AND THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED ALTHOUGH ACCORDING TO THIS WEB PAGE THERE HAS BEEN. APPARANTLY ACCORDING TO GM MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NOV/2002 RECALL FOR STEERING RACK/PINION WHICH SOUNDS AS IF IT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS SCHEDULED IN THE FUTURE.*AK

  • 11/10/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    WATER PUMP FAILED ON VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3.5 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS CAR COULDN'T LAST 5 YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS SO SOON, I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. NOW I'M WONDERING WHAT NEXT, IS MY ENGINE GOING TO FAIL. HOW COULD THE WATER PUMP GO OUT SO SOON ON THIS VEHICLE. AND HOW MANY OTHER BUYERS HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HAVE THERE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLES, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, UNFORTURNATELY WE THE CONSUMERS, ARE NOW FINDING THIS OUT.*AK

  • 11/09/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    1998 CAVALIER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DETERMINED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS STICKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EGR VALVE FAILED AT 142,673 MILES AND AGAIN AT 175,055. WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE SERVICE INVOICE IT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE PART HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *NM

  • 11/08/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR ABS LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER STATED THAT IF PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR THAT MEANT THAT BRAKE PEDAL HAD FAILED.*AK

  • 11/07/2004· STEERING

    STEERING: RACK AND PINION. AT TIMES WHEN I COME TO A STOP I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL EITHER WAY IT'S TO HARD TO TURN. I WENT TO A GARAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION IS GOING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME FOUR TIMES SO FAR. *JB