IllustrationTHE STARTER WENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT DID TIRES START RUBBING THE SUCKS WENT OUT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND A SECOND TIME START RUBBING I END UP BUYING THREE TIMES CUZ THEY GOT BALL REAL FAST THE WIRING UNDER THE ENGINE RIPPED APART AND NOW IT'S THREW A ROD. *TR
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cavalier years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than 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: 83 of 345 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 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports23 injury reports
Suspension complaints
11 reportsFRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, FRONT RIGHT TWICE. TAKEN TO DEALER DUE TO A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHEN DRIVING, BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT.*AK
CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHCILE MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL DUE TO STEERING GEAR FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER REPAIR WITH REMANUFACTURED PARTS FOR THE CLICKING NOISE. *YH
HEADLAMPS FAILED ON INTERSTATE,CAME BACK ON BUT WOULD FLICKER, DEALER FOUND 4 WIRES WITH CORROSION. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND NOISE IN SUSPENSION. *AK
WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE TURNING, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVED TWICE ON THE RACK AND PINION. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ENGINE RACED AND THE FRONT END STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NO SUMMARY
I RECEIVED MY 1998 CAVALIER AS A GRADUATION GIFT-,EXPECTING RELIABILITY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING MORE THAN PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE OR MORE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE REMOVED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO FIND THAT THERE…
Read full complaint
I RECEIVED MY 1998 CAVALIER AS A GRADUATION GIFT-,EXPECTING RELIABILITY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING MORE THAN PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE OR MORE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE REMOVED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO FIND THAT THERE IS ONE HALF INCH OF PLAY IN THE ROTORS, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO, CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR ON TWO NEW (FRONT) TIRES. I AM NINE MONTHS PREGNANT AND TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF!!!!! CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS?
VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK POSITION, AND STARTED ENGINE. DEALER HAS DONE AN ALIGNMENT/REPLACED STEERING BOX. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK
CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE HOME, AND PUT VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
404V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 27, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
00V053000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
97V219000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.