RoadVitals

1983 Chevrolet Cavalier

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Apr 20, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine333.3%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Steering111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
87V165000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Oct 26, 1987
126,319 units potentially affected
The defect: INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
The risk: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
The remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V079000

SEATS

May 7, 1987
1,136,407 units potentially affected
The defect: THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
The risk: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA87006ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER ST. ASSIST

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Sep 19, 1988

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

STEERING
EA87007ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCEL

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Aug 7, 1987

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ANALYSIS:STATUS: GM RESPONDED BY LETTER DATED 12 FEBRUARY 1987.EA CLOSED ON8/7/87.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP86019ClosedDefect Petition

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Sep 12, 1986
Closed Dec 22, 1986

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP86018ClosedDefect Petition

POWER STEERING FAILURE

Opened Sep 5, 1986
Closed Dec 19, 1986

POWER STEERING FAILURE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2000
Fire reported

THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC OVERFLOW TANK WAS MELTED AND THE PLASTIC CAP MELTED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM

NHTSA ID
552204
Incident
Mar 18, 2000
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 1998

#2 PISTON BROKE BETWEEN OIL RING SLOT AND COMPRESSION RING SLOT CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
532411
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+4 more
Filed Aug 25, 1995

PLASTIC VALVE MELTED/LODGED AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.

NHTSA ID
483387
Incident
Nov 23, 1987

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Cavalier by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20052871038.4
20043302047.2
20036782455.4
20021965054.5
20012436261.1
20003157361.2
19992408054.6
199834511056.0
199754013466.9
199650313465.4
19952709161.2
19942122259.9
19931462156.9
19921341047.8
1991553263.7
1990551257.7
1989432255.2
1988123662.4
1987243463.1
1986183167.6
1985435—
1984838—
1983Viewing366—
1982116—
1981002—
1980001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.