IllustrationCONSUMER 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
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 reportsAIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED …
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AIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED ALARM MODULE, OK.
I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET CAVALER, THE DEALERSHIP EVEN RIPPED ME OFF, THEY CHARGED ME 400 DOLLARS TO FIX A WATER HOSE PUMP AND TENSION BELT, THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND NOW 5 MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE IS ACTING UP AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY CHEVROLET WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE MAINTENANCE TO THIS …
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I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET CAVALER, THE DEALERSHIP EVEN RIPPED ME OFF, THEY CHARGED ME 400 DOLLARS TO FIX A WATER HOSE PUMP AND TENSION BELT, THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND NOW 5 MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE IS ACTING UP AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY CHEVROLET WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE MAINTENANCE TO THIS CAR...BUT IN THE FUTURE, I AM BUYING FROM A FOREIGN COMPANY DUE TO ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE. AND ON TOP OF ALL OF THE OTHER GARBAGE, THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A LOW MAINTENANCE CAR, AND THAT IS NOT EVEN TRUE! I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ELSE, THAT THIS CAR IS THE WORSE CAR THAT WAS MADE IN 1998. IT TOOK ME THREE DIFFERENT TIMES OF BRINGING MY CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIX THE RECALL THE FIRST TIME. I CLAIM DISCRIMINATION WHEN IT COMES TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS
PLEASE PROVIDE EXPLANATION FOR SAFETY DEFECTS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, ATTACHMENTS FOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT OR COMPONENT (S) LISTED. *AK
ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN BADLY, WAS BEGINNING TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE FOOT ON BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL TO ENSURE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STALL OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHAVER CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER STATED DEALER COULD NOT FIX DEFECT, AND WAS DRIVING AN UN…
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ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN BADLY, WAS BEGINNING TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE FOOT ON BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL TO ENSURE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STALL OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHAVER CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER STATED DEALER COULD NOT FIX DEFECT, AND WAS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK
EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE CONVERTABLE TOP LEAKS AT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IT DRIPS INTO THE SEATS I HAVE HAD THE SEAL REPLACED, IT STILL LEAKS. THE CHEVY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. *AK
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING A WHINNING NOISE TO COME FROM THE ENGINE, A NEW IDLER AND NEW BELT WERE ALSO INSTALLED. NLM
BRAKES HAVE STARTED TO MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER . DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NO DEFECT. BUT, AFTER 3 DAYS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO INOPERATIVE BRAKES.*AK *SLC
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SHAKING IN THE FRONT WHEN BRAKING, DEALER TURNED ROTORS AND FOUND THAT 60% OF BRAKE PADS WERE LEFT, CONSUMER IS WORRIED THAT THIS HAPPENED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. *SLC
BOTH TURN SIGNALS AND HORN DO NOT WORK, BOTH ARE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FIVE TIEMS. DEALER HAS MADE CHANGES TO STEERING COLUMN. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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.