IllustrationTHIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BROKEN ON MY 1994 CAVALIER. THE THIRD TIME THE CHAIN BROKE I HAD TO HAVE THE RODS/PISTONS REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN THE CHAIN BROKE IT BENT THEM.
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 13 of 212 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 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
7 reportsWENT TO PAINT SHOP (CHEVY) SAID IT WAS A BAD COAT PUT ON WHICH HAS CAUSED PAINT TO COME OFF . I CAN NOT BELIEVE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS,WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE CARS .I DIDN'T SEE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE OR I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT ! I WILL NOT BUY A CHEVY AGAIN IF THIS IS NOT FIXED,…
Read full complaint
WENT TO PAINT SHOP (CHEVY) SAID IT WAS A BAD COAT PUT ON WHICH HAS CAUSED PAINT TO COME OFF . I CAN NOT BELIEVE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS,WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE CARS .I DIDN'T SEE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE OR I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT ! I WILL NOT BUY A CHEVY AGAIN IF THIS IS NOT FIXED, MY WHOLE FAMILY BUYS YOUR CARS AND MY MOTHERS' CHEVY DID THE SAME THING,AFTER I BOUGHT MINE . OH, BY THE WAY SHE SOLD IT AND BOUGHT ANOTHER CHEVY CAVILIER. PLEASE HELP ME! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
SCREWS WERE MISSING FROM THE MOLDING RUNNING FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE HEADLINER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NLM
UNSPECIFIED.
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED TWO TIMES.
ALTERNATOR INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN.
SMELL SOMETHING BURNING WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. TT
Official recalls
194V115000 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm
Jun 24, 1994
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
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
2EA94033 · Horn Pad Falls Off
Opened Sep 29, 1994 · Closed Mar 29, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:horn
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DETACHMENT OF THE HORN PAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM SEE EA94-033 ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT.
PE94042 · Horn Button Falling Off
Opened May 23, 1994 · Closed Sep 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available