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1987 Chevrolet Cavalier: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, most recently filed February 1987. Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 2campaigns 1 vehicle speed control · 1 brake Source: NHTSA Complaints 24filed Owner reports, 1983–1992 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 25mpg combined $2,612/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2 L 4-cyl· 4-speed manual 15 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 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 ↗
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V011000 Filed Feb 9, 1987

FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY CONTAIN WATER WHICH COULD FREEZE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED CAUSING TRAVEL OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE TO BECOME RESTRICTED WHEN THROTTLE IS INITIALLY OPENED.
Consequence
ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSSOF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
REPLACE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Repair progress not yet reported65,594 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V011000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 86V128000 Filed Sep 15, 1986

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE:MECHANICAL:LEVER SETTLING

Parking brake · conventional · mechanical
Official NHTSA text
Summary
PARKING BRAKE LEVER MECHANISMS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLE COULD UNEXPECTEDLY ROLL AWAY UNCONTROLLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported1,470 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 86V128000

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.

Which Cavalier years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet CavalierAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (24)

24 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
0involved a fire
4injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 24.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1987 compares with other Cavalier years

Best and worst Cavalier years →
3 8 4 18 24 12 43 55 55 134
1983198419851986198719881989199019911992
This year (1987)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
22
city
30
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 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

1987 Chevrolet Cavalier configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1987 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.

All Cavalier years

Where to next

Which Cavalier years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1988 Chevrolet Cavalier report12 complaints · 2 campaigns →1986 Chevrolet Cavalier report18 complaints · 2 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1987 Chevrolet Cavalier FAQ

How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 87V011000 (vehicle speed control), 86V128000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (6), Steering (6), Vehicle speed control (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual version at 22 city, 30 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1987 Cavalier compare with other years?

Among the 1983–1992 Chevrolet Cavalier model years at least five years old, the 1983 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1992 the most (134). The 1987 drew 24. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

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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