IllustrationVEHICLE HORN CAME OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →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
What owners actually said
55 reportsTHE FUEL PUMP GOES OUT IN THE COLD WEATHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
THE BRAKES TAKE A LOT MORE FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
BRAKE PADS SEEM TO BREAK WHEN THEY GET VERY HOT. *DSH
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE HARNESS. TT
THE WINDSHEILD WIPER STOPPED WORK AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. TT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED, CAUSING REAR HATCH DOOR TO POP OPEN ON ITS OWN; NO WARNING. TT
AFTER SLIGHTLY BUMPING A PARKING STOPPER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY TAKE OFF, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
HEADLIGHT GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGH AND LOW BEAM. TT
HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES. WAS THROWING OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID. TT
Official recalls
292V003000 · 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
2PE93090 · 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