NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
345 reports139,000 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE IN ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING:…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE IN ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395493
170,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Structure
CHEVY CAVALIER RUSTED SUB FRAMES. CAR VIBRATES WILDLY AT A CERTAIN SPEEDS. CAR WAS PARKED. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER CALLS RELATED TO THIS. WAS TOLD BY GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAR (IF DRIVEN) SHOULD BE DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY (NO BUMPS, POTHOLES, LONG DISTANCE TRIPS) RECOMMENDED WE DON'T D…
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CHEVY CAVALIER RUSTED SUB FRAMES. CAR VIBRATES WILDLY AT A CERTAIN SPEEDS. CAR WAS PARKED. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER CALLS RELATED TO THIS. WAS TOLD BY GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAR (IF DRIVEN) SHOULD BE DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY (NO BUMPS, POTHOLES, LONG DISTANCE TRIPS) RECOMMENDED WE DON'T DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331065
123,000 miles · Mar 7, 2010
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH, OR ANTI THEFT SYSTEM, CAUSES FUEL PUMP TO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND ALSO FUEL INJECTORS, BEEN IN GARAGE 3 TIMES AND FINALLY WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, WAS TOLD GM HAD A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317455
143,600 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Structure
THE 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STARTS TO SHAKE WHEN IT REACHES 60 MPH OR MORE. IT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296166
170,000 miles · Nov 30, 2009
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. ALSO WHEN STRIKING A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD WAY, THE VEHICLE WILL FISH TAIL. DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLES SUB FRAME HAD CORROSION. IT COST $3500.00 TO REPAIR THE FRAME. NO REPAIRS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. ALSO WHEN STRIKING A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD WAY, THE VEHICLE WILL FISH TAIL. DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLES SUB FRAME HAD CORROSION. IT COST $3500.00 TO REPAIR THE FRAME. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172000.
NHTSA ODI #10294040
2,000 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING ON HILLS OR INCLINES. MY CAR WILL START TO FEEL AS IF IT'S GOING TO STALL, AND THE RPM'S JUMP UP AS IF I AM ACCELERATING THE GAS, BUT SINCE THIS NORMALLY ONLY HAPPENS ON HILLS, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, MY CAR WILL NOT STOP, B/C THE RPM'S ARE STILL …
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EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING ON HILLS OR INCLINES. MY CAR WILL START TO FEEL AS IF IT'S GOING TO STALL, AND THE RPM'S JUMP UP AS IF I AM ACCELERATING THE GAS, BUT SINCE THIS NORMALLY ONLY HAPPENS ON HILLS, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, MY CAR WILL NOT STOP, B/C THE RPM'S ARE STILL HIGH, THEN THAT'S WHEN THE CAR STALLS, AND OF COURSE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, AND I CANNOT STOP WITHOUT USING THE E-BRAKE, OR PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. I HAVE NO WARRANTY LEFT SINCE IT HAS EXPIRED, HOWEVER, I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ALWAYS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THIS DEFECT HAS "SLIPPED" THROUGH THE CRACKS FOR THIS LONG. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE OWNERS OF THIS CAR GET INJURED OR KILLED! I AM ALSO HAVING A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM, BUT GMAC SAID THAT MY CAR DIDN'T COME FROM THE PLANT WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS! WELL, I THINK IT DID. MY CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVE DOWN A HILL, I SAY A PRAYER. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 2-3 TIMES/WEEK. MY STEERING IS SO BAD FROM THE DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION, THAT I CAN'T TURN MY STEERING WHEEL UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 15 MINS.(WHEN IT'S COLD OUT). GMAC HAS FAILED TO TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUS, IT'S SAD THAT A COMPANY I PAID ALL MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO, CAN'T EVEN MAKE/OR FIX AN UNSAFE VEHICLE! AND I ALSO HAVE THE RECALLED DEX COOLANT, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE PAID FOR THE DAMAGES AND REPAIRS IN ORDER TO GET REIMBURSED! THEY NEED TO FIX ALL THE AFFECTED CARS, NOT JUST THE ONES PEOPLE HAVE PAID TO ALREADY HAVE IT FIXED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257007
133,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Structure
I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I TOOK OFF AND FELT A PULL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD MY BROTHER IN LAW CHECK IT OUT AND THE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED. WE REPLACED IT BUT FEEL THIS NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251848
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2008
Electrical System
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE. WHEN MY SISTER BOUGHT IT. SHE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT STARTING UP. SHE WOULD HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY START UP. IM NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS GETS EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU D…
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE. WHEN MY SISTER BOUGHT IT. SHE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT STARTING UP. SHE WOULD HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY START UP. IM NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS GETS EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU DO THIS? I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223682
160,000 miles · Mar 10, 2008
Electrical System
ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR IS IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD MINE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW AND IN THIS TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO PUT ABOUT 7,000 DOLLARS OF WORK INTO IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS SITTING 200 HUNDRED MILES AWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE WIRING TO MY STARTER KEEPS BLOWING MY STARTERS UP. AND AS…
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ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR IS IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD MINE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW AND IN THIS TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO PUT ABOUT 7,000 DOLLARS OF WORK INTO IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS SITTING 200 HUNDRED MILES AWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE WIRING TO MY STARTER KEEPS BLOWING MY STARTERS UP. AND AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED THE CAR CAN STAY THERE. I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER GOING TO GET IT. SOMEONE ELSE CAN BAR THE BURDEN THAT COMES WITH THAT CAR! IM DONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220524
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND SO DID MY FATHER-IN-LAW WHO DROVE CAR BEFORE ME. ABS WAS ALWAYS VERY SENSITIVE TO ACTIVATING AND WHEN ACTIVATED VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I HAVE BE DRIVING 40 YEARS AND NEVER OWNED A MORE DIFFICULT VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD BRAKES SERVICED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AGO AT DEALER,…
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I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND SO DID MY FATHER-IN-LAW WHO DROVE CAR BEFORE ME. ABS WAS ALWAYS VERY SENSITIVE TO ACTIVATING AND WHEN ACTIVATED VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I HAVE BE DRIVING 40 YEARS AND NEVER OWNED A MORE DIFFICULT VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD BRAKES SERVICED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AGO AT DEALER, HAVE BRAND NEW MICHELINS. DOES NOT MATTER, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAVALIER ABS SYSTEM AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211878
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗