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1992 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 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

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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: 5 of 134 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

134 reports
126,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Tires

NEW TIRES AND VALVE STEMS WERE INSTALLED ON MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 8,000 MILES TWO VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED IN THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, ONE ABOUT MAY 7 TH 2009 AND ANOTHER ON MAY 19 2009. FIRST FAILED STEM WAS REPLACED MAY 8TH. AM NO WAITING FOR INFORMATION FROM THE SELLER OF THE STEMS IF THEY WILL COVER THE …

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NEW TIRES AND VALVE STEMS WERE INSTALLED ON MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 8,000 MILES TWO VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED IN THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, ONE ABOUT MAY 7 TH 2009 AND ANOTHER ON MAY 19 2009. FIRST FAILED STEM WAS REPLACED MAY 8TH. AM NO WAITING FOR INFORMATION FROM THE SELLER OF THE STEMS IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OTHER THREE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269524

120,000 miles · Feb 26, 2008
Structure

THE BODY SEAM PUTTY ON AND AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND FIREWALL DRIES OUT, THEN CRACKS, AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT, MY FRONT FLOOR PANS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE RUSTING AS IS MY FIREWALL. MY FRONT CARPET IS MOST ALWAYS WET AND MUSTY SMELLING UNLESS I PULL THE CARPETS BACK AFTER EVE…

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THE BODY SEAM PUTTY ON AND AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND FIREWALL DRIES OUT, THEN CRACKS, AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT, MY FRONT FLOOR PANS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE RUSTING AS IS MY FIREWALL. MY FRONT CARPET IS MOST ALWAYS WET AND MUSTY SMELLING UNLESS I PULL THE CARPETS BACK AFTER EVERY RAIN TO ALLOW THE INTERIOR MOISTURE TO DRY (THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN OR PARKED IN THE RAIN). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219150

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Steering

1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LE…

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1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LEVER. I TEMPORARILY WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187771

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKE PEDAL WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING. MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BUT WITHOUT HIM BEING ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO RE-…

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BRAKE PEDAL WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING. MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BUT WITHOUT HIM BEING ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO RE-OCCUR, HE CAN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10134734

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101990

129,400 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10091466

15,500 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HA…

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I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE JALOPY TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET AGAIN - I BOUGHT IT AT OURISMAN'S ROCKVILLE STORE - TO SHOW THEM THE COOLANT IN THE OIL THAT I FOUND RECENTLY. I HAVE USED SYNTHETIC OIL IN IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BUT I CAN'T VOUCH FOR THE SERVICE DEPT AT OURISMAN. THEY PROBABLY USE GOODWRENCH 5-30 AS IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY. IF THERE ARE THIS MANY REPORTS OF THIS PIECE OF JUNK, WOULDN'T CHEVY BE MORE CONCERNED ABOOT IT? I AM LUCKY TO HAVE GOTTEN A 4 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD IT; I WOULD HAVE JUST LEFT THE CAR WITH OURISMAN AND LET THEM DEAL WITH IT. AK

NHTSA ODI #10075338

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Suspension

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075730

114,000 miles · Mar 21, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIK…

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I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE INCURRED COSTS OF OVER $2000 AND AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT I HAVE BLOWN A HEAD GASKET DUE TO HEATER CORE\COOLING FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS MATTER ASAP. THANK YOU. SHERI MADRID *JB

NHTSA ODI #10062742

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2004
Structure

MOISTURE COLLECTS INSIDE MY VEHICLE, WHENEVER IT RAINS THERE IS WATER STANDING IN MY FLOOR BOARDS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10062304

Official recalls

1

91V166000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Sep 23, 1991

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.