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1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

65 reports with mileage · 175 unknown

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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

240 reports
130,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. WHEN THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR ONE HALF MILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. WHEN THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR ONE HALF MILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356603

35,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
StructureSuspension

THIS A COMPLAINT IDENTICAL TO #10210719 RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS ON A ONE OWNER 1999 CAVALIER. THE CAR HAS 35,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASED. IT BELONGS TO MY 85 YEAR OLD MOTHER. HAD SHE GOTTEN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN TRAVELING ACCORDINGLY AND HIT A BUMP O…

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THIS A COMPLAINT IDENTICAL TO #10210719 RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS ON A ONE OWNER 1999 CAVALIER. THE CAR HAS 35,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASED. IT BELONGS TO MY 85 YEAR OLD MOTHER. HAD SHE GOTTEN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN TRAVELING ACCORDINGLY AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THIS WOULD HAVE BECOME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS MODEL IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325545

77,000 miles · Apr 1, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherSteeringFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2005 WHEN SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT WOULD ALLUDE TO THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2005 WHEN SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT WOULD ALLUDE TO THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD UNLOCK AND TURN INVOLUNTARILY WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKED. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND HEADLIGHTS, WERE ALSO FAULTY. THE BULBS IN THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT BURNED OUT AND MELTED AFTER THEY WERE USED THREE TO FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO ASK ABOUT RELATED RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FOUND EIGHT RECALLS FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10323331

108,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
Tires

TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE , COOPER TIRE CO WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT REPLACING THE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280484

82,000 miles · May 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I BROUGHT A 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER IN DEC 08'. SINCE JAN 09' I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERE LOCKING OF THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS SO FAR AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO PASS A MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AT ALL THREE FACILITIES I USED TO TRY AND REPAIR THIS…

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I BROUGHT A 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER IN DEC 08'. SINCE JAN 09' I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERE LOCKING OF THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS SO FAR AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO PASS A MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AT ALL THREE FACILITIES I USED TO TRY AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG GM VEHICLES. I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY $600 DOLLARS ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT STILL PERSIST. THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE ADJUSTED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL LOCKING FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE NO APPARENT REASON ALL THREE MECHANICS SAY THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY LOOKS GOOD BUT I AM STILL NOT ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD AT THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE ME TO FISH TAIL EITHER CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGERS IN MY CAR OR POSSIBLY OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267545

980,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

I ALSO HAVE A 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER Z24 AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD...ALSO DOORS FREEZE SHUT IN WINTER...PROBLEMS WITH WATER PUMP...IT SEIZED UP AND CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN & SERPENTINE BELT...RESULTED IN A LOT OF EXPENSE TO FIX...REPAIRMAN STATED THE MOST OF THE PARTS ON THESE ENGINES SH…

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I ALSO HAVE A 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER Z24 AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD...ALSO DOORS FREEZE SHUT IN WINTER...PROBLEMS WITH WATER PUMP...IT SEIZED UP AND CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN & SERPENTINE BELT...RESULTED IN A LOT OF EXPENSE TO FIX...REPAIRMAN STATED THE MOST OF THE PARTS ON THESE ENGINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED...LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THEM....LOVE MY CAR BUT IT'S GETTING EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR NOW THAT IT'S OLDER... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267089

79,000 miles · Nov 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WILL START IF TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE EVENT HAPPENS WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON. IT HAPPENS AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHEN DECREASING SPEED. IT WENT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS WITHOUT STALLING, BUT THEN STALLED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. 2.2L ENGINE WITH AUT…

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THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WILL START IF TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE EVENT HAPPENS WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON. IT HAPPENS AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHEN DECREASING SPEED. IT WENT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS WITHOUT STALLING, BUT THEN STALLED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. 2.2L ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249874

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2008
Steering

I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER IN MARCH 1999 AND BEGAN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR REPAIR. THEY GREASED SOME PARTS TO DIMINISH THE NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN 2 OTHER TIMES TO HAVE …

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I PURCHASED A NEW 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER IN MARCH 1999 AND BEGAN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR REPAIR. THEY GREASED SOME PARTS TO DIMINISH THE NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN 2 OTHER TIMES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE SAME ACTION WAS TAKEN, NO PARTS WERE EVER REPLACED. RECENTLY I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $2300. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AND WARNINGS TO MECHANICS THAT CONSUMERS MAY COME TO THEM WITH THESE ISSUES LISTED OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS. THEREFORE, THIS IS A FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE THAT UNTIL NOW CHEVROLET HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING THE NOISE AND I WAS WARNED IF THE WHEEL STARTS TO "STIFFEN UP" TO COME BACK IMMEDIATELY AS THE DANGER OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HIGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246410

188,500 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Electrical System

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE AC VENTS ONE DAY AND I DESCRIBED THIS TO A CHEVY 800 # REP AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL # 04002 IGNITION CIRCUIT THERMAL EVENTS. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. I GO TO PICK IT UP AND THE BURNED WIRES UNDER THE DASH WERE NOT REPLACED…

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TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE AC VENTS ONE DAY AND I DESCRIBED THIS TO A CHEVY 800 # REP AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL # 04002 IGNITION CIRCUIT THERMAL EVENTS. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. I GO TO PICK IT UP AND THE BURNED WIRES UNDER THE DASH WERE NOT REPLACED, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I CALLED THE 800# BACK AND TOLD HIM I WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND NOW THIS GUY CLAIMS THAT HE NEVER TOLD ME THAT THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL FITS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY CAR AND NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH NOT FIXING MY CAR. I WANT IT FIXED! I JUST WANTED TO SEND THIS QUICK EMAIL AND WILL GO IN DEPTH ABOUT IT ONCE I RECEIVE YOUR REPLY. THANKS. *TR UPDATED 09/09/08

NHTSA ODI #10236315

112,019 miles · Jan 9, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) WAS REFERENC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FIRST AND THEN THE DEALER WOULD COMPLETE THE REST OF THE SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,319 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,019.

NHTSA ODI #10214335

Official recalls

2

04V036000 · 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.

99V218000 · Interior Lighting

Aug 11, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.