RoadVitals

1992 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.
134
Latest May 20, 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.
1
Latest Sep 23, 1991
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.
0
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.
23
15 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 134 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the brakes, interior & seats and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 13 manufacturer communications are 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

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

1 campaign 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
91V166000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Sep 23, 1991
3,212 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The remedy: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 134
Tires & wheels
Filed May 20, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10269524
Incident
May 20, 2009
Mileage
126,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10219150
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 13, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10187771
Incident
Apr 13, 2007
Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 2005
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10134734
Incident
Aug 29, 2005
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10101990
Incident
Oct 6, 2003
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10091466
Incident
Jul 22, 2004
Mileage
129,400 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 14, 2004

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 HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD IT; I WOULD HAVE JUST LEFT THE CAR WITH OURISMAN AND LET THEM DEAL WITH IT. AK

NHTSA ID
10075338
Incident
Oct 14, 1998
Mileage
15,500 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10075730
Incident
Jun 4, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

00966B

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

00966

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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

990730030

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

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
1992Viewing1341047.8
1991553263.7
1990551257.7
1989432255.2
1988123662.4
1987243463.1
1986183167.6
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.