IllustrationVEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK, NO POWER TO STARTER. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. THERE IS A RECALL 02V070000 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR PREVIOUS MODELS, HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *TT
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 reportsVEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED IN JUNE 2000, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*JB
FRONT 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
UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS LATER THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE DASH, IT CONTINUOUSLY BLINKS. TOOK TO THE DEALER. NLM
I HEARD BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 1998 CAVALIER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY HEAD GASKETS, ALTHOUGH I ALSO HEARD THAT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BEFORE RELEASING THE CARS TO THE MARKET. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE I NOW HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS APPARENT ABOUT 2 YEARS …
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I HEARD BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 1998 CAVALIER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY HEAD GASKETS, ALTHOUGH I ALSO HEARD THAT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BEFORE RELEASING THE CARS TO THE MARKET. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE I NOW HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS APPARENT ABOUT 2 YEARS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND I AM NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT WILL DEFINETLY NOT LAST LONGER THAN MY PRIOR CAR, A TOYOTA. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVROLET.*AK
OJ REAR BACK DOOR CAME OPENED AND THE LOCK WAS ON AT THE TIME. THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE, REPLACE RT REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY. RUSTED/CORRODED LUBRICATED TO FREE UP, NEEDS REPLACEMENT, REMOVE AND REPLACE RT REAR DOOR LOCK ASSY.
MY CAR STATRED TO RUN ROUGH ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT 42,008 ON OCT 29 2001.ON FEB.14 2002 THEY SAME PRBLEM OCCURED AT 48,000 MILES.IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.THERE HAS TO BE A PRBLEM SOMEWHERE AS I WAS TOLD THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE COIL …
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MY CAR STATRED TO RUN ROUGH ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT 42,008 ON OCT 29 2001.ON FEB.14 2002 THEY SAME PRBLEM OCCURED AT 48,000 MILES.IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.THERE HAS TO BE A PRBLEM SOMEWHERE AS I WAS TOLD THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE COIL ONLY ONCE IN A CARS LIFE AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONLY 6,000 MILES!COULD SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK
HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION AT ANY SPEED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, AND DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAS CORRODED, AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
WATER PUMP FAILED ON VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3.5 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS CAR COULDN'T LAST 5 YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS SO SOON, I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. NOW I'M WONDERING…
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WATER PUMP FAILED ON VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3.5 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS CAR COULDN'T LAST 5 YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS SO SOON, I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. NOW I'M WONDERING WHAT NEXT, IS MY ENGINE GOING TO FAIL. HOW COULD THE WATER PUMP GO OUT SO SOON ON THIS VEHICLE. AND HOW MANY OTHER BUYERS HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HAVE THERE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLES, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, UNFORTURNATELY WE THE CONSUMERS, ARE NOW FINDING THIS OUT.*AK
CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT 2 FEET FROM WALL. FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO BUMP WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUSTED WINDSHIELD. PARTS/SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER REMOVED BUMPER AND INSPECTED, AND HE SAW NO REASON WHY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. …
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CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT 2 FEET FROM WALL. FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO BUMP WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUSTED WINDSHIELD. PARTS/SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER REMOVED BUMPER AND INSPECTED, AND HE SAW NO REASON WHY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. ALSO, THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AND BUSTED WINDSHIELD. HE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND REPORTED THIS. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO SEND AN INSPECTOR. *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.