IllustrationWHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS FAILED. *NLM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
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
What owners actually said
345 reportsCONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WOKE TO IGNITION RUNNING. IGNITION WAS IN OFF POSITION WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND TURNED IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. JUST TH…
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CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WOKE TO IGNITION RUNNING. IGNITION WAS IN OFF POSITION WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. SHE INSERTED THE KEY AND TURNED IT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. JUST THEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. FIRE DEPT. DETERMINED FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. *PH *JB
CONSUMER STATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH WHEN THE ROAD IS WET, THE BRAKING DISTANCE IS THE LENGTH OF TWO TELEPHONE POLES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS T…
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CONSUMER STATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH WHEN THE ROAD IS WET, THE BRAKING DISTANCE IS THE LENGTH OF TWO TELEPHONE POLES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WHEN ITS RAINING. CONSUMER DID SO AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THEY WERE BUSY. MECHANIC WROTE ONE REPAIR ORDER. CONSUMER INSTALLED NEW ROTORS AND PADS WHICH HELPED A LITTLE BIT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM IS THE ANTI LOCK. *PH
CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AND HAS DONE SO SINCE THE FIRST RAIN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE OF 1998. VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST YEARS. HEAVY RAIN FLOODS THE FRONT SEATS OF THE VEHICLE AS DOES WASHING. FINALLY GAVE U…
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CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AND HAS DONE SO SINCE THE FIRST RAIN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE OF 1998. VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST YEARS. HEAVY RAIN FLOODS THE FRONT SEATS OF THE VEHICLE AS DOES WASHING. FINALLY GAVE UP AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCESSFUL ATTEMPTS. SLOWLY OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS THE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD PREVENTING ME FROM ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN. THEY GET STUCK AND DON'T ROLL UP. ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY WINDOWS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR PANELS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FRIEND AS WELL AS STRANGERS WHEN I SEE THEM DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE ALL THUS FAR EXPRESSED THE SAME PROBLEMS IN REGARDS TO LEAKING AND WINDOW MOTOR. I REFUSE TO PAY $350 + TO HAVE A $50 WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.*MR THE VEHICLE BLEW FUSES AND DIDN'T START UNTIL IT SAT AND COOLED OFF WHICH WAS DUE TO THE BAG FULE PUMP. *PH
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS SMOKING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
THE STEERING RACK AND PINION LOCKED UP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN RECALL# C02049-S. THERE HAD BEEN FOUR INCIDENTS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT IN TRAFFIC. CHEVROLET WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY UNTIL THE DEALER COULD REPLICATE THE FAILURE. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD.*MR THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY HARZARDOUS AND SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS SUGGESTING THAT RESEARCH BE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE VEHICLE OR WHETHER OR NOT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *CB *JB
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS IN STEERING.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 4 FAILURES WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN THE STEERING FAILED AND THEN THE ENGINE DIED. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER EVALUATED. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND …
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS IN STEERING.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 4 FAILURES WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN THE STEERING FAILED AND THEN THE ENGINE DIED. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER EVALUATED. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *TS (BROTHER ON BEHALF OF SISTER NAIDA SCHAEFER) *JB
THE PLASTIC COATING/LOCK MECHANISM ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER'S MALE SEATBELT PIECE IS DETERIORATING, CAUSING THE SEATBELT NOT LOCK THE BELT INTO PLACE. *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.