Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:TRACKS AND ANCHORS:FRONT SEAT:MAN
- Summary
- THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
- Consequence
- DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:FRONT BUCKET SEAT LATCH
- Summary
- SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.
- Remedy
- INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (8)
8 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 2 | 25% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 25% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 12.5% |
| Seats | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering | 1 | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 1 | 12.5% |
How 1984 compares with other Cavalier years
Best and worst Cavalier years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 | 5 |
| 1984 | 8 | 2 |
| 1985 | 4 | 2 |
| 1986 | 18 | 2 |
| 1987 | 24 | 2 |
| 1988 | 12 | 2 |
| 1989 | 43 | 1 |
| 1990 | 55 | 0 |
| 1991 | 55 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 329 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 | |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1984 Cavalier for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1984 Chevrolet Cavalier FAQ
How many recalls does the 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 87V079000 (seat), 84V011000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (2), Seat belts (2), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual version at 23 city, 33 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1984 Cavalier compare with other years?
Among the 1982–1991 Chevrolet Cavalier model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1991 the most (55). The 1984 drew 8. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.