RoadVitals

1994 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.
212
Latest Oct 2, 2012
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.
2
Latest Jan 23, 1996
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.
2
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.
31
14 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 212 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 21 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

2 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
96I001000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

Jan 23, 1996
417,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INSUFFICIENT RETENTION OF THE HORN PAD.
The risk: THE HORN PAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL FALLING BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES. THE HORN PAD COULD BECOME JAMMED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES AND THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER, HORN PAD, AND HORN WIRING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE HORN PAD RETENTION CLIPS, INSTALL HORN PAD RETENTION BRACKETS TO THE STEERING WHEEL, REINSTALL THE HORN PAD AND ASSURE THAT THE HORN PAD IS PROPERLY RETAINED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
94V115000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Jun 24, 1994
65 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA94033ClosedEngineering Analysis

HORN PAD FALLS OFF

Opened Sep 29, 1994
Closed Mar 29, 1996

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DETACHMENT OF THE HORN PAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM SEE EA94-033 ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
PE94042ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF

Opened May 23, 1994
Closed Sep 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 212
Seat belts
Filed Oct 2, 2012
Crash reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THERE WAS NO PIN IN THE SEAT BELT THAT PROPERLY SECURED IT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURED AROUND THE DRIVER'S ARM AND WAS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH, BUT NOT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10478332
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Transmission
Filed Sep 6, 2010

THE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE CABLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING AND YOUR NOT ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353978
Incident
Sep 2, 2010
Mileage
154,200 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 30, 2008

TURN SIGNAL/HORN PAD FAILURE. CALLED CHEVROLET HOTLINE ON 12/30/2008, AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. REFERRED ME TO DEALERSHIP AND SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253269
Incident
Dec 10, 2008
Mileage
106,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ON 01/23/07. THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP, AND LOST POWER AT STOP LIGHTS. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE, AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO FUEL INJECTORS THAT WERE LEAKING. AND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE FIRESTONE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE WAS A FIRE HAZARD .AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE OWNER OF DAVE'S DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE OWNER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT THE VEHICLE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAD AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRING THE INJECTORS WHICH WAS $442.00 ,AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPAIR FOR $600.00. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,500, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19, 4700. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184406
Incident
Mar 5, 2007
Mileage
194,700 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 11, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND THE MANUAL RELEASE WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID
10155056
Incident
Apr 11, 2006
Mileage
95,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 4, 2005
1 injury reported

DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND HAS TO BE HELD UP BY SOME THING SO IT DON'T FALL BACK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10138510
Incident
Aug 18, 2005
Mileage
103,725 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 24, 2005

I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR

NHTSA ID
10122036
Incident
May 6, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Mar 14, 2005

WHILE DRIVING FUEL GAUGE IS REGISTERING 1/8 TANK OF GAS. HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOP,. BUT NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH OTHER CAVALIER OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM OF THE GAS GAUGE GIVING INACCURATE READINGS. *TC

NHTSA ID
10109339
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Mileage
40,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

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

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
1994Viewing2122259.9
19931462156.9
19921341047.8
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.