RoadVitals

1986 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.
18
Latest Oct 24, 2009
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.
1
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.
8
4 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Engine630.0%
  • Interior & seats420.0%
  • Electrical315.0%
  • Steering315.0%
  • Visibility15.0%
  • Seat belts15.0%
  • Tires & wheels15.0%
  • Body & structure15.0%

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
86V131000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 19, 1986
106,111 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
86V056000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 28, 1986
93,317 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2009

ON MY 1986 CHEVY CAVALIER Z24 V6 IF THE ENGINE IS OFF OR ON THE DIGITAL DASH THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND SO DOES THE DOME LIGHT IF THE HEAD LIGHT IS PUSH O PANEL OR BOTH.*TR

NHTSA ID
10289653
Incident
May 24, 2009
Mileage
189,654 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 9, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE HAS CRACK MARKS ALL OVER THE TIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. MR

NHTSA ID
8020461
Incident
Jun 2, 2002
Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2001

ADJUSTED STEERING COLUMN IS COMING LOOSE AT COLLAPSE/HINGE AREA DUE TO LOOSENESS OF BOLTS. THIS CAUSES MECHANISM NOT TO WORK PROPERLY ON STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
879969
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 21, 1999
Crash reported2 injuries reported

BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT WENT DOWN, AND DRIVER HIT A CEMENT WALL AND FLIPPED CAR OVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
704710
Incident
Mar 18, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 1998
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ONN FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
534769
Incident
Mar 29, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Dec 23, 1996

SHOULDER BELT HARNESS FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, WILL NOT PULL OUT TO LOCK/ LATCH TO BUCKLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
806650
Incident
Sep 4, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Sep 23, 1996

ERRATIC OPERATION OF DASHBOARD, CONSOLE LOSES PROPER READING. *AK

NHTSA ID
802764
Incident
Sep 23, 1996
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 1996
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ID
508891
Incident
Aug 22, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1986Viewing183167.6
1985435—
1984838—
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.