SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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.

About this comparison →
55Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
12
198843
198955
199055
1991134
1992146
1993212
1994
Compare all Cavalier years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
17Engine And Engine Cooling
8Seats
7Seat Belts
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5
All reported categories
Steering
5Visibility
5Power Train
3Equipment
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Structure
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
1

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

Seat Belts complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2005
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

MY SON LOST CONTROL OF A 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND WAS EJECTED AFTER HE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENTERING THE MEDIAN, HIS CAR WAS SKIDDING BROADSIDE AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. AS THE CAR ROLLED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHICH DEFEATED THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT BELT TO HOLD HIM INSIDE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DE…

Read full complaint

MY SON LOST CONTROL OF A 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND WAS EJECTED AFTER HE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENTERING THE MEDIAN, HIS CAR WAS SKIDDING BROADSIDE AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. AS THE CAR ROLLED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHICH DEFEATED THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT BELT TO HOLD HIM INSIDE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DESIGN HAD THE SHOULDER HARNESS ANCHORED TO THE TOP OF THE DOOR/WINDOW FRAME AND THE LAP BELT ANCHORED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109852

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2001
Seat BeltsSeats

BACK SEAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE CAR AND REAR SEAT BELTS ARE MISSING.

NHTSA ODI #741426

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1998
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS ON PASSENGER SIDE ARE CRACKED. NOTICED RECALL ON WEBSITE (#92V003000). CALLED DEALER & MANUFACTURER & WAS TOLD BY BOTH VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. OWNER WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #824834

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 1996
Seat Belts

THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT GOES OVER THE BUTTON ON THE FEMALE PART HAS COME OFF, MAKING IT EASY TO UNBUCKLE AND HARDER TO BUCKLE PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #802240

Mileage unknown · May 21, 1996
Seat Belts

FAILURE ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND LEFT REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE, SEAT BELT COMES OUT OF THE BUCKLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984710

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