1998 Chevrolet Conventional 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 1998 Chevrolet Conventional, 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
- Engine420.0%
- Brakes315.0%
- Visibility210.0%
- Exterior lighting210.0%
- Body & structure210.0%
- Interior & seats15.0%
- Transmission15.0%
- Other / unspecified15.0%
- Steering15.0%
- Suspension15.0%
- Heating & air conditioning15.0%
- Fuel system15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP DEVELOPED A LEAK. UPON REPLACING BOTH THE PUMP AND THERMOSTAT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN CAVALIERS. *NM
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK, BIND AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, GET STIFF WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE BUILT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LEAK AND PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW THE TOP OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. THE SEATS WERE WEARING BADLY AT THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WORKS WITH TRAILER HOOKED UP, BUT WITHOUT USE OF TRAILER, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK.
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
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WORKS WITH TRAILER HOOKED UP, BUT WITHOUT USE OF TRAILER, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
SWING OPEN DOOR ON LEFT SIDE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE HINGES, AND OTHER DOOR WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK, BIND AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, GET STIFF WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE BUILT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LEAK AND PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW THE TOP OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. THE SEATS WERE WEARING BADLY AT THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
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
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLUG FOR SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
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
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
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 .