1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 748 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 18.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 14.6%.
Complaints748
Crashes73
Fires10
Injuries65
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 18.7% · 140
Electrical system 14.6% · 109
Air bags 10.3% · 77
Power train 7.9% · 59
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.8% · 58
Steering 7.1% · 53
Visibility 4.1% · 31
Suspension 3.6% · 27
Severity
Of those complaints, 73 describe a crash, 10 describe a fire, 65 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier in this data, 1996 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 63,871 miles.
In owners' own words
July 2002 manual transaxle leak- replaced left and right seals; march 2003, left seal replaced; october 2003 right seal replaced. October 2003, low coolant light comes on when driving up hills in 2nd or 3rd gear and sometimes on flats- same gears. Dealer claims that there is an antifreeze leak and that the head gasket is blown, meanwhile I took it in for the leaking transaxle- I can't win. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 142,000 miles
Engine head gasket/struts/starter/transmission/ dome light/ paint/,muffler/seats and abs brakes have all gone badly at least once, and some have been replaced twice and are bad again. Dealer was notified several times, but refused to check or replace. No longer doing business with them due to the service. I have been having to pay for all of the services. Engine and engine cooling
While driving or when turning at a light engine will stall without a prior warning. Vehicle had been taken to dealer for repairs, but defect had not been found to be repaired.*Ak pcm was replaced twice, fuel pump replaced, dealer cleaned throttle board, egr valve, and fuel injectors, vehicle still continues to stall. *Slc Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Cavalier years
1993 237 complaints · 25.3% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 310 complaints · 23.5% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 392 complaints · 25.3% engine and engine cooling 1997 751 complaints · 15.8% engine and engine cooling 1998 473 complaints · 16.1% electrical system 1999 337 complaints · 15.4% electrical system