There have been 40 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Cavalier. The most recent recalls are shown below. Table 1 and Table 2 show the historical recalls and the recall statistics by the model year of the Chevrolet Cavalier.
If the instrument panel is not lit at night, the driver may not be able to see the controls and displays.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1999 Pontiac Sunfire |
| Component: INTERIOR LIGHTING |
| Recall Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination. " the instrument panel backlighting may not function after adjusting the interior light intensity. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 1997 Pontiac Sunfire |
| Component: SUSPENSION:REAR |
| Recall Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 1997 Pontiac Sunfire |
| Component: AIR BAGS |
| Recall Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1997 Pontiac Sunfire |
| Component: STRUCTURE:BODY |
| Recall Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 214, "side door strength. "... Details of this recall 🔎 |
The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1996 Buick Skylark, 1996 Chevrolet Beretta, 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, 1996 Pontiac Grand Am, 1996 Pontiac Sunfire |
| Component: INTERIOR LIGHTING |
| Recall Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays. "... Details of this recall 🔎 |
| Date | Component | Vehicle Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2004 | Exterior Lighting:turn Signal | 256,025 |
| Jun. 23, 2004 | Seat Belts:rear | 37 |
| Jan. 27, 2004 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1,415,231 |
| Nov. 4, 2002 | Steering:rack And Pinion | 1,159,156 |
| Mar. 6, 2002 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1,589,948 |
| Jul. 20, 2000 | Interior Lighting | 28 |
| Feb. 28, 2000 | Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 391 |
| Aug. 11, 1999 | Interior Lighting | 6,584 |
| Dec. 15, 1998 | Suspension:rear | 27,083 |
| Jun. 29, 1998 | Air Bag | 675,302 |
| Feb. 25, 1998 | Structure:body | 8 |
| Feb. 17, 1998 | Interior Lighting | 249,420 |
| Nov. 24, 1997 | Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts | 24 |
| Jun. 28, 1997 | Wheels:space Saver Wheel | 652 |
| Dec. 17, 1996 | Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights | 270,014 |
| Aug. 29, 1996 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer | 50 |
| Oct. 23, 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | 360 |
| Jul. 26, 1995 | Structure:frame And Members | 16 |
| Feb. 16, 1995 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 21,340 |
| Jun. 24, 1994 | Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm | 65 |
| Jul. 21, 1993 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2,848 |
| Jan. 10, 1992 | Seat Belt | 347,866 |
| Sep. 23, 1991 | Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments | 41,718 |
| Sep. 23, 1991 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 3,212 |
| Dec. 6, 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 13,095 |
| Jul. 25, 1988 | Visibility:windshield | 33 |
| Jun. 14, 1988 | Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk | 14,840 |
| Oct. 26, 1987 | Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv) | 126,319 |
| May. 7, 1987 | Seats | 1,136,407 |
| Feb. 9, 1987 | Vehicle Speed Control | 65,594 |
| Sep. 19, 1986 | Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 106,111 |
| Sep. 15, 1986 | Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical | 1,470 |
| May. 28, 1986 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 87,174 |
| Apr. 28, 1986 | Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 93,317 |
| Apr. 12, 1985 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 34,331 |
| Feb. 6, 1984 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 76,586 |
| Oct. 13, 1983 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve | 352,036 |
| Apr. 19, 1983 | Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm | 312 |
| Oct. 7, 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors | 12,721 |
| Mar. 8, 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 519,329 |
| Model | # Recalls |
|---|---|
| 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier | 4 |
| 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier | 7 |
| 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier | 7 |
| 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier | 4 |
| 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |
| 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1985 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2 |
| 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier | 5 |
| 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1 |