1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes6624.2%
- Engine5620.5%
- Seat belts228.1%
- Electrical217.7%
- Interior & seats176.2%
- Visibility165.9%
- Body & structure134.8%
- Transmission134.8%
- Steering82.9%
- Fuel system82.9%
- Suspension82.9%
- Driver assistance72.6%
- Heating & air conditioning51.8%
- Airbags41.5%
- Powertrain (other)31.1%
- Tires & wheels31.1%
- Exterior lighting20.7%
- Other / unspecified10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE'S COOLING SYSTEM EVER SINCE I GOT IT. IT CONSISTENTLY OVER- HEATS, LEAKS COOLANT AND I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FAN. MY CAR FINALLY BROKE DOWN FROM IT AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF MORE DOLLARS TOGET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAVE 2 FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM SO SICK OF TAKING THIS CAR IN FOR PROBLEMS. ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FAN BELT AND PARALLEL PULLIES, WHICH I WAS TOLD BY AAA. *AK
HEAD GASKET LEAKING NEEDED REPLACED IN1998 AT 43445, THEN STARTED LEAKING IN 2002 AT 74847.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS PROBLEM OF THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING STARTED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT WELL OVER 800 DOLLARS ON BRAKE WORK AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRAKE SHOPS. NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE LAST PLACE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 1300 DOLLAR PROBLEM. I NEED TO REPLACE THE ABS BOX. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY IN PERFECTLY CLEAR WEATHER I WAS TO FORCE TO HIT MY BRAKES AND ENDED UP SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST BEING STRUCK BY NUMEROUS CARS UNTIL I FINALLY COME TO A STOP FACING TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAVE READ IN NUMEROUS DIFFERENT WEB SITES ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING ON 94 CAVALIERS. I THINK IF ANYTHING IS DECIDED TO BE RECALLED THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM. NOT EVERYONE HAS THE MONEY TO JUST THROW AWAY ON HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED. TS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA. *JB
WHILE DRIVING BATTERY DIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID FLYWHEEL BROKE.*AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND HAS TO BE HELD UP BY SOME THING SO IT DON'T FALL BACK. *NM
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA. *JB
EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR, REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 10 TIMES WITHIN 70,000 MILES ROTORS REPLACED ALSO - DRIVERS SEAT DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK INTO PLACE SOMETIMES SLIDES FOR/BACKWARDS - HARD TO USE RELEASE BUTTON ON FRONT PASSENGER BELT NOW THE CASING FELL OFF - WIPERS AREN'T PLACED CORRECTLY HAS CHIPPED OFF PAINT ON HOOD - DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS HARD TO ROLL FEELS AS IF IT GETS OFF TRACK CAR GIVES SQUEKING/RATTLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING - BLACK METAL PARTS ON WIPERS HAS FADED TO BLOTCHY GRAY EARLY IN CARS LIFE - I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THESE IN ANY CAR I'VE OWNED, THEY ARE PREMATURE, ESPECIALLY THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS PROBLEM OF THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING STARTED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT WELL OVER 800 DOLLARS ON BRAKE WORK AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRAKE SHOPS. NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE LAST PLACE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 1300 DOLLAR PROBLEM. I NEED TO REPLACE THE ABS BOX. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY IN PERFECTLY CLEAR WEATHER I WAS TO FORCE TO HIT MY BRAKES AND ENDED UP SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST BEING STRUCK BY NUMEROUS CARS UNTIL I FINALLY COME TO A STOP FACING TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAVE READ IN NUMEROUS DIFFERENT WEB SITES ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING ON 94 CAVALIERS. I THINK IF ANYTHING IS DECIDED TO BE RECALLED THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM. NOT EVERYONE HAS THE MONEY TO JUST THROW AWAY ON HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED. TS
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA. *JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE CABLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING AND YOUR NOT ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. *TR
LINKAGE AT CLUTCH PEDAL CAME LOOSE, CAUSING CLUTCH TO BE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. CONSUMER STATES IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BRAKES WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS IS UNSAFE. *AK *SLC
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER A POT HOLE, AND IT FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO COME APART. CONSUMER SMELLED GAS, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND HE REPLACED THE SHOCK TOWERS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. ABOUT SIX WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER FELT SOMETHING DRAGGING. TOOK BACK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SHOCK TOWERS ON THE LEFT SIDE. *AK RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER WAS ALSO REPAIRED. *LA
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS SLOWING DOWN IN A LEFT HAND TURN LANE, ON A SLIGHT UPHILL GRADE, AND AS I APPROACHED A STOPPING POINT, THE CAR LURCHED/JERKED HEAVILY THEN STALLED. I TRIED TO START THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE I WAS IN DRIVE, I THEN PLACED IT IN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED EASILY. I THEN PLACED THE CAR INTO DRIVE, RELEASED THE BRAKE, APPLIED THE GAS AND IT STALLED AGAIN. PLACED THE CAR BACK IN PARK, STARTED IT, PLACED IT BACK IN DRIVE, RELEASED THE BRAKE, APPLIED THE GAS, AND THE CAR STALLED. WENT THROUGH THE SAME STEPS AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME, THE CAR MOVED AND DROVE NORMALLY AND DID NOT STALL. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, THIS LOOKS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE, SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION NOT DOWN SHIFTING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEGUN MY LEFT TURN AS IT STALLED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. HAD HEARD A CLINKING SOUND AT THE TIME. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. CHECKED CARPETING TO SEE IF PART OF PROBLEM,WAS NOT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER AFTERWARDS TO HAVE IT CHECKED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA. *JB
ABS BRAKES EXPERIENCED FADE WHILE STOPPING DURING A LIGHT RAIN AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. WHEN CONSUMER CUT WHEEL VEHICLE IMPACTED A TELEPHONE POLE ON RIGHT FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 55 MPH. TELEPHONE POLE SPLIT AND CAUSED WIRES TO FALL. UNKNOWN IF THE WIRES WERE ON CAR.*AK CONSUMER STATES WIRES WERE NOT ON VEHICLE. *JB
VEHICLE DESIGNED WITHOUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR
WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THE REAR SIGNALS WORK PROPERLY, EVEN WHEN A BULB WAS BLOWN OUT. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BELIEVE THAT SIGNAL WORKED PROPERLY, BUT IT NOT. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LUGGAGE RACK ENDS ARE RUSTED AND NOT SEATED PROPERLY, CAUSING RACK CORNERS TO LOOSEN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .