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1991 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 55 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
90,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureUnknown Or Other

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IS THE POOR BODY OF THE CAR. THE PANELS BELOW THE CAR HAVE COMPLETELY DIMINISHED. ANYTHING REMAINING OF THEM IS EITHER ROTTING AND RUSTING AWAY, OR HAS PAINT REMOVED FROM THEM. THE PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER AND FROM THE FRONT HOOD OF THE CAR. SOME RUST IS ALSO APPEA…

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THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IS THE POOR BODY OF THE CAR. THE PANELS BELOW THE CAR HAVE COMPLETELY DIMINISHED. ANYTHING REMAINING OF THEM IS EITHER ROTTING AND RUSTING AWAY, OR HAS PAINT REMOVED FROM THEM. THE PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER AND FROM THE FRONT HOOD OF THE CAR. SOME RUST IS ALSO APPEARING AT THE SIDES. WHEN I STEP INTO THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF A MINIMUM 100 KM/H, THIS TRASH IS ANYTHING BUT QUIET. APART FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH IS NOW BROKEN, THE GASKETS OR WHATEVER KEEPS THE AIR OUT DOESN'T KEEP IT OUT. INSTEAD, SOME AIR COMES IN AND THUS MAKING THAT NOISE; LIKE HAVING YOUR WINDOWS OPEN AND GETTING ALL THAT NOISE OF THE AIR. IT'S NO DIFFERENT WHEN CLOSED. THE RUBBER SEAL OF THE DOORS IS EXTREMELY POOR IN THIS REGARD. MY SECOND PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE ENGINE. MY ENGINE'S MOTOR IS BROKEN DOWN. NO MECHANIC CAN FIX IT. I TRIED TO GO THROUGH CHEVROLET AND ONE OF THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. BUT JUST THE COST OF REFURBISHING MY ENGINE WOULD APROXIMATILY ADD UP TO $2,500 (MIGHT AS WELL BUY A NEW CAR INSTEAD!).

NHTSA ODI #10071378

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR A TEENAGE DRIVER. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $L,000 TO BRING IT UP TO SPEED - FUEL FILTER, OIL & AIR FILTERS, SERPENTINE BELT RADIATOR IGNITION SWITCH (KEY & TUMBLER), TIRES, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, REAR BRAKE SHOES. IT WILL SOON NEED A NEW MUFFLER, AND MY MECHANIC NOW INFORMS ME THAT THE …

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR A TEENAGE DRIVER. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $L,000 TO BRING IT UP TO SPEED - FUEL FILTER, OIL & AIR FILTERS, SERPENTINE BELT RADIATOR IGNITION SWITCH (KEY & TUMBLER), TIRES, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, REAR BRAKE SHOES. IT WILL SOON NEED A NEW MUFFLER, AND MY MECHANIC NOW INFORMS ME THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. HE SAID HE SEES QUITE A FEW OF CAVALIERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WONDERS IF THERE IS A SILENT RECALL THAT COULD HELP ME WITH THE POSSIBLE $600.00 COST TO REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #701195

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEFECTIVE FAN MOTOR MELTED WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #830717

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

STARTER AND FLYWHEEL BECOME NOISY AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ODI #537205

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #604563

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

OWNER STATES THAT AFTER 45 MINUTES WHEN THE CAR WAS LEFT AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN VEHICE BLEW UP, CAUSING A MELT DOWN, FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809899

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED,CAUSING OIL LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #515073

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKETS LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #513877

Official recalls

2

92V003000 · Seat Belts

Jan 10, 1992

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

91V165000 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

Sep 23, 1991

FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE93090 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 8, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available