1998 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 473 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 16.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 12.9%.
Complaints473
Crashes42
Fires11
Injuries38
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 16.1% · 76
Service brakes, hydraulic 12.9% · 61
Engine and engine cooling 12.1% · 57
Steering 12.1% · 57
Air bags 7.4% · 35
Structure 6.6% · 31
Exterior lighting 4.0% · 19
Power train 3.8% · 18
Severity
Of those complaints, 42 describe a crash, 11 describe a fire and 38 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier in this data, 1998 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 9 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 81,518 miles.
In owners' own words
Nhtsa 04v036000\ ignition \switch. While the vehicle was parked on the driveway it caught on fire. The next door neighbor ran and remove the battery from the vehicle. The fire was coming from the driver side dashboard. The local fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer to get the remedy done. The problem with the ignition switch still occurs. Please provide further details. Electrical system
Problems with engine failure. *Mr the consumer experienced starting problems described in recall# 04v036000. The consumer would place the key in the ignition, turn the key to the start position and the engine failed to start. The original switch was replaced. *Sc the consumer did not believe the recall was ever performed on the vehicle, since the vehicle continued to exhibit problems. Electrical system
This car has been in the family for most of its life. When my sister bought it. She would have trouble with it starting up. She would have to try several times before it would finally start up. Im not sure of the problem. I was told it could be the ignition switch. But this has been replaced twice. This gets expensive when you do this? I was wondering if there was any other complaints with this. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…