RoadVitals

1984 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.
8
Latest Mar 13, 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.
3
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.
8
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.
3
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the seat belts, fuel system and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Seat belts222.2%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Interior & seats111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Steering111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Transmission111.1%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
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
84V011000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Feb 6, 1984
76,586 units potentially affected
The defect: SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.
The remedy: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE88027ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE

Opened Feb 9, 1988
Closed May 11, 1988

===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Mar 13, 2000

THE DRIVERS SEAT LOCK IS EXPERIENCING RECALL (84V011) PROBLEMS. NLM

NHTSA ID
783827
Seat belts
Filed Jul 22, 1999
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND IN TURN, HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT, AND THE REAR LAP BELT BROKE AT THE BUCKLE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
842922
Engine
Filed Aug 20, 1998

HEAD GASKET FAILS EVERY 11,000 AND 12,000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT. DEALERS NOTED PROBLEM IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
825487
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 1997

THE GAS LINE IS LEAKING AND THE LINES ARE CORRODED. DEALER SUPPOSE TO BE TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING DOUBLE CLAMPS ON THE LINES. THIS IS A SAFTY RELATED PROBLEM. THE GAS THAT IS LEAKING COULD START A FIRE . *AK

NHTSA ID
813460
Incident
Dec 10, 1996
Steering
Filed May 30, 1996

THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS CAUSING ERRATIC TURNING SITUATIONS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
985020
Incident
May 30, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Jul 12, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, RESULTING IN DRIVER HITTING THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
968639
Incident
Jul 7, 1995
Transmission
Filed Jun 15, 1995

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 22,000 AND IS GOING OUT AGAIN/ VEHICLE OFTEN JOLT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *AK

NHTSA ID
967002
Incident
Jun 12, 1995
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 1995
Crash reported3 injuries reported

VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *SKD

NHTSA ID
481475
Incident
Feb 14, 1995

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—
1984Viewing838—
1983366—
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.