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
What owners actually said
212 reports
Mileage unknown · May 22, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WAS COMING TO A STOP & STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS), AND THEY FAILED TO HOLD OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, AT BEST. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NOTHING SHOWED ON COMPUTER. THE TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER & CAN NOT LOCATE WHERE ITS…
Read full complaint
WAS COMING TO A STOP & STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS), AND THEY FAILED TO HOLD OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, AT BEST. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NOTHING SHOWED ON COMPUTER. THE TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER & CAN NOT LOCATE WHERE ITS COMING FROM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823568
Mileage unknown · May 18, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION TO OCCUR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823440
Mileage unknown · May 12, 1998
Seat BeltsInjury
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING COLLISION CAUSING BACK INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #535319
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1998
Seat BeltsInjury
DURING COLLISION SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD CONSUMER RESULTING IN INJURY TO NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA ODI #534838
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET WAS DAMAGED & LEAKED FLUID. MECHANIC TOLD OWNER ANTI-FREEZE ENTERED AFTER MATERIALS USED & WOULD SWELL WHEN OVERHEATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822531
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1998
Air BagsCrash
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER IN THE CAVALIER WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ILLEGAL TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #821422
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #530193
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. HAD HEARD A CLINKING SOUND AT THE TIME. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. CHECKED CARPETING TO SEE IF PART OF PROBLEM,WAS NOT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER AFTERWARDS TO HAVE IT CHECKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820272
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA ODI #605691
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED OF PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE ABS BRAKES FRONT ROTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED PADS AT 16,000 MILES. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC
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
2
EA94033 · 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
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration