Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns across the Chevrolet Cavalier, 1982–2005. Owners have filed 4,662 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2003 drew the most (678) and the 1991 the fewest (55).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls40campaignsCovering 1982–2005 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints4,662filedOwner reports across 24 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy26mpg combined2005 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Chevrolet Cavalier complaints by model year

4,662 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1991 · 55 complaints
  • 1992 · 134 complaints
  • 1993 · 146 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2003 · 678 complaints
  • 1997 · 540 complaints
  • 1996 · 503 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1996–2005. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Chevrolet Cavalier owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Electrical system 1001076647695635106185211
Fuel system 182211154229163761210
Engine and engine cooling 117106554454292243156
Service brakes 60645850443927341416
Steering 4983543128261619168
Air bags 7378342418211418156
Power train 54261620263413162316
Visibility 27401515141116372310

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Chevrolet Cavalier recalls (40)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Cavalier model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Cavalier
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
04V524000Nov 1, 2004GM/REAR LIGHT BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES2003—
04V300000Jun 23, 2004GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT2004—
04V036000Jan 27, 2004GM/IGNITION SWITCH1998–2001—
02V286000Nov 4, 2002GM/POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY1996, 1997, 1998—
02V070000Mar 6, 2002GM/IGNITION SWITCH1995, 1996, 1997—
00V201000Jul 20, 2000GM/FMVSS 101/INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION2000—
00V053000Feb 28, 2000GM/BI-FUEL CNG COOLANT LINES1998—
99V218000Aug 11, 1999GM/FMVSS 1011999—
98V319000Dec 15, 1998GM/REAR SUSPENSION1996, 1997—
98V146000Jun 29, 1998GM/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT1996, 1997—
98V032000Feb 25, 1998GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 2141997—
98V027000Feb 17, 1998GM/FMVSS 1011996—
97V219000Nov 24, 1997GM/WHEEL LUG NUTS1998—
97V106000Jun 28, 1997GM/COMPACT SPARE TIRE1997—
96V250000Dec 17, 1996GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 108/4 WAY FLASHERS1995, 1996—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗
All 40 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls by model year →

Fuel economy by model year

199220–26 mpg
199320–26 mpg
199420–26 mpg
199522–26 mpg
199623–26 mpg
199723–26 mpg
199823–25 mpg
199922–25 mpg
200022–24 mpg
200121–24 mpg
200221–25 mpg
200324–25 mpg
200424–27 mpg
200525–26 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier report287 complaints · 0 campaigns →2004 Chevrolet Cavalier report330 complaints · 1 campaigns →2003 Chevrolet Cavalier report678 complaints · 1 campaigns →Every Chevrolet modelChevrolet models →

Chevrolet Cavalier FAQ

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Cavalier had?

NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns that cover at least one Chevrolet Cavalier model year from 1982 to 2005. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Chevrolet Cavalier year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2003 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (678) and the 1991 the fewest (55). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Chevrolet Cavalier problems?

Across the 1996–2005 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, fuel system, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Chevrolet Cavalier get?

EPA rates the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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