1995 Chevrolet Cavalier

Above average

Owners filed 270 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine38
002
Air Bags › Frontal17
16011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip16
201
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline16
202
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch15
020
Electrical System › Ignition12
020
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer11
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission10
000
Electrical System › Horn6
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core5
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Steering08E063000
Filed Oct 17, 20083,855 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Risk. IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch02V070000
Filed Mar 6, 20021,589,948 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights96V250000
Filed Dec 17, 1996270,014 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Structure › Frame and Members95V141000
Filed Jul 26, 199516 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy. ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm95V025000
Filed Feb 16, 199521,340 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 2014207,636 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO STAY IN THE RUN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,636.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 7, 201160,800 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING SEVERELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/29/12 *CN

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 200848,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 7, 200860,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION AND ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,340 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jul 12, 200772,012 milesPA

I BOUGHT A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER NEW, IN JULY 1995. I HAD THE FOLLOWING MAJOR REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR. ON 8/97 -ENTIRE EXHAUST FROM CONVERTER BACK BAD BAFFLED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 10/97-SERPENTINE BELT/ROTORS/ALTERNATOR & RECALL ON HAZARD LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. 4/00-HEAD GASKET,SEAL,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT;RECALL ON COVER,SHIELD,RETAINER,SEALANT (DEALER COVERED COSTS UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT. 4/00-EGR VALVE 10/00-ADJUST SERPENTINE BELT;REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT 10/01-REPLACE BACK BRAKE PADS,CLEAN FRONT PADS 05/02-REPLACE FAN BELT & TENSIONER;RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH 06/02-BROKEN FORWARD CLUTCH HOUSING,CLUTCH,GASKETS,FLUID,LEFT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY 07/02-REPLACE BATTERY,BAD CELL DUE TO CAR SITTING FOR SO LONG DURING PREVIOUS REPAIR 12/03-WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT $461.79-50% OF BILL REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET UPON WRITTEN REQUEST 07/03-REAR BRAKES; 08/04-RESISTOR (BLOWER MOTOR, 09/04-ALTERNATOR 07/05-FRONT ROTORS & PADS; 06/06-REAR BRAKE LINE 06/07-WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION-FRAME RUSTING OUT. REAR BUMPER SUPPORT FRAME MUST BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION, MORE FRAME REPAIR WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED FOR NEXT INSPECTION;HEAD GASKET IS STARTING TO SEEP AGAIN THIRD HEAD GASKET. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET TWICE BY THEIR E-MAIL SITE IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. SITE CLAIMS RESPONSE WILL BE WITHIN 48 HOURS. I ASKED FOR REPAIR COSTS FOR REAR FRAME SUPPORT, HEAD GASKET OR A VOUCHER FOR CREDIT TOWARD A NEW/NEWER VEHICLE. POINTED OUT THE PROBLEM OF TH

Steering
Filed May 21, 2007179,850 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE TO THE LINK AND LATCH MOVING OUT OF PLACE (NOT ALIGNED). THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HER TRUNK TO OPEN RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE STRUTS. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 179850.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2006DC

CONSUMER REQUESTED RECALL INFORMATION ON A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. *KB. NAR NO ADDRESS PROVIDED. THE CONSUMER HAD VALVE WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 17, 2006149,000 milesFL

MASSIVE LEAKS OF COOLANT DUE TO FAULTY GASKET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANT RUNNING THROUGH A BOTTLE OF ANTIFREEZE A DAY B/C OF SAID LEAK. *NM

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 13, 2006OH

1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LOST POWER, WHEN COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 20, 2005SC

I SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER IN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR ROLLED OVER 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THROWN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 7, 2005CT

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, INFORMING THE OWNER THAT VEHICLE NEEDED COOLANT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. THEN, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 19, 2004OH

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed May 7, 200482,500 milesOH

IN JANUARY 2004 THE CHECK COOLANT GUAGE WOULD LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY, THEN ON A DAILY BASIS, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR AND HAD ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET BE REPLACED.*AK

Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed Apr 1, 2004168,006 milesMI

FIRE UNDER HOOD - HAD THE RECALL IGNITION WORK DONE ON 09/23/2003 WHILE GETTING THE FIFTH ALTERNATOR REPLACED SINCE MARCH OF 2002. ON 03/28/2004 CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES. FINALLY STARTED, DROVE APPROX. 2 MILES WHEN SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER HOOD, PARKED AND RAISED HOOD, FLAMES. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY EXTINGUISHER. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I READ ABOUT IN THE RECALL NOTICE BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE IGNITION. CALLED DEALER THAT DID THE RECALL WORK WHO STATED HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF A FIRE AFTER THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Mar 26, 2004IN

LEFT TURN AND BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS. POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. CAR SHAKES BADLY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 4, 200360,000 milesNY

AS DESCRIBED IN PRIOR DEFECT REPORTS, E.G. 98054A, MY CAVALIER HAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. HOWEVER, SINCE IT WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE DEALER & MFR HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. I'M FACED WITH A HEFTY REPAIR BILL FOR A KNOWN MFR'S DEFECT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2003CT

CONSUMER STATES THEY STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN PERFORM ON VEHICLE. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. KYLE CHEVROLET 860-872-6530. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jun 26, 2003MI

THE DEFROSTER DIDN'T WORK. *TS *JB

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jun 24, 200385,000 milesNJ

SINCE THE END OF AUGUST 2002, MY CAR HAS BEEN FALLING APART. IT ALL STARTED WHEN MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. I HAD FREON PUT BACK INTO IT, BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE FREON WAS GONE. THE MECHANIC PUT A DYE INTO THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A LEAK, BUT HE COULDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. OIL IS LEAKING FROM MY HEAD GASKETS. NOW, IT IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING PERIODICALLY. I WAS IN CAMDEN WHEN IT WOULDN'T START. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHEN I START THE CAR, A CLICKING NOISE COMES FROM THE STARTER. OH YEAH, I HAD THE STARTER "FIXED" A YEAR AGO BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM MY ALTERNATOR. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE ALTERNATOR OR THE STARTER THAT'S KEEPING THE CAR FROM STARTING. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN MY CAR AND THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE CAR. *JB

Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed Jun 13, 2003OH

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION. *AK

20 of 270 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005287104Fatalities reported
2004330261Fatalities reported
2003678261Fatalities reported
2002196540Routine
2001243681Fatalities reported
2000315782Fatalities reported
1999240820Above average
199834511100Above average
199754013255Fatalities reported
199650313101Fatalities reported
1995 — this page2709100Above average
1994212231Fatalities reported
1993146271Fatalities reported
1992134182Fatalities reported
199155366Fatalities reported
1990551120Routine

Compare every Cavalier year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.