1994 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 310 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 23.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 19.4%.
Complaints310
Crashes41
Fires3
Injuries19
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 23.5% · 73
Engine and engine cooling 19.4% · 60
Electrical system 8.4% · 26
Seat belts 7.4% · 23
Visibility 6.1% · 19
Power train 5.5% · 17
Structure 4.2% · 13
Seats 3.9% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 41 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 19 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier in this data, 1994 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 11 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 98,200 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer stated when applying the brakes, it felt like the vehicle was trying to stop on wet leaves, it was soon discovered that the brakes were installed wrong by the dealer on june 14, 2000, the dealer offered consumer a 50 percent split on the brake work, however consumer believes that the dealer should pay for the entire brake job since they installed the rear brakes on the front and vice versa. Service brakes, hydraulic
The brake pads and rotors on the front end have been replaced twice since owning vehicle, this is (3) sets with only 45,000 miles and when you brake the whole front end shimmies, the system has abs. Dealer stated the problem may have been with the rear brakes not adjusting themselves which caused the front brakes to work alone and heating the rotors to the point of warping. *Slc Service brakes, hydraulic
The brakes will occasionally lock and then release. It causes the car to stop further ahead than intended. Sometimes it causes the wheels to drag. The problem is intensified in the presence of water or sand on the road. It makes me feel wary and unsafe when I or my daughter drive the car. I'm afraid the car will not stop when I need it to the Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Cavalier years
1992 178 complaints · 31.5% service brakes, hydraulic 1993 237 complaints · 25.3% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 392 complaints · 25.3% engine and engine cooling 1996 748 complaints · 18.7% engine and engine cooling 1997 751 complaints · 15.8% engine and engine cooling 1998 473 complaints · 16.1% electrical system