Owners filed 134 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Defect. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.
Risk. IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy. INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed May 20, 2009126,000 milesIL
NEW TIRES AND VALVE STEMS WERE INSTALLED ON MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 8,000 MILES TWO VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED IN THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, ONE ABOUT MAY 7 TH 2009 AND ANOTHER ON MAY 19 2009. FIRST FAILED STEM WAS REPLACED MAY 8TH. AM NO WAITING FOR INFORMATION FROM THE SELLER OF THE STEMS IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OTHER THREE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 26, 2008120,000 milesIN
THE BODY SEAM PUTTY ON AND AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND FIREWALL DRIES OUT, THEN CRACKS, AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT, MY FRONT FLOOR PANS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE RUSTING AS IS MY FIREWALL. MY FRONT CARPET IS MOST ALWAYS WET AND MUSTY SMELLING UNLESS I PULL THE CARPETS BACK AFTER EVERY RAIN TO ALLOW THE INTERIOR MOISTURE TO DRY (THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN OR PARKED IN THE RAIN). *TR
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Apr 13, 2007FL
1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LEVER. I TEMPORARILY WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Aug 30, 2005OH
BRAKE PEDAL WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING. MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BUT WITHOUT HIM BEING ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO RE-OCCUR, HE CAN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. *NM
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 7, 2005CA
THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2004129,400 milesPA
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 14, 200415,500 milesMD
I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE JALOPY TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET AGAIN - I BOUGHT IT AT OURISMAN'S ROCKVILLE STORE - TO SHOW THEM THE COOLANT IN THE OIL THAT I FOUND RECENTLY. I HAVE USED SYNTHETIC OIL IN IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BUT I CAN'T VOUCH FOR THE SERVICE DEPT AT OURISMAN. THEY PROBABLY USE GOODWRENCH 5-30 AS IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY. IF THERE ARE THIS MANY REPORTS OF THIS PIECE OF JUNK, WOULDN'T CHEVY BE MORE CONCERNED ABOOT IT? I AM LUCKY TO HAVE GOTTEN A 4 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I WOULD NEVER
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Jun 4, 2004PA
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Mar 21, 2004114,000 milesCA
I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE INCURRED COSTS OF OVER $2000 AND AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT I HAVE BLOWN A HEAD GASKET DUE TO HEATER CORE\COOLING FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS MATTER ASAP. THANK YOU. SHERI MADRID *JB
Structure › Body
Filed Mar 16, 2004OH
MOISTURE COLLECTS INSIDE MY VEHICLE, WHENEVER IT RAINS THERE IS WATER STANDING IN MY FLOOR BOARDS. *JB
Suspension › Rear
Filed Dec 3, 2003MA
VEHICLE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCKS BROKE FREE OF WHAT REMAINED OF THE WHEEL WELL. *MR *SCC *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 6, 2002VA
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. VEHICLE STARTS, BUT WILL ABRUPTLY STALL WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE COOLS, TRANSMISSION OPERATIONAL UNTIL VEHICLE WARMS BACK UP. THIS IS THE 5TH GM VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM. IT USUALLY OCCURS AT OR NEAR 100,000 MILES. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD IF VEHICLE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AS THERE IS NO WAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD 1 VEHICLE STALL ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. AFTER 5 VEHICLES IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT JUST RELATED TO 1 VEHICLE. ACQUAINTANCES WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER VEHICLES HAVE REPORTED NO SIMILAR PROBLEMS. DT
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 22, 2002MN
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE, WHICH AFFECTS VEHICLE STOPPING. DEALER CONTACTED.PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Dec 8, 2001MN
VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Dec 8, 2001MN
VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Nov 16, 2001FL
INTAKE MANIFOLD IS DEFECTIVE AND VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP ONCE IT SHUTS OFF. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING, CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DEALERSHIP INSTALL NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *AK *TT
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 22, 2001NJ
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK DRIVER WAS LEFT IN A PRONG POSITION AND HAD TO FIND THE BRAKE PEDAL, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DELAER THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFAULT.*JB
Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 22, 2001KY
THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SURGE THEN MISS.I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP 6 WEEKS EARLIER,IT RAN FINE TILL TODAY,THIS TIME IT RESULTED IN A FIRE .THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Mar 16, 2001AL
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN ON A BUMPY ROAD ABS ENGAGED AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE TO BOTH VEHICLES. *AK *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jan 22, 2001OH
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Sep 23, 1991. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.