What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

Typical pattern

15.7% of complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1999 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (44 complaints), typically at 4.3 yr or about 52,214 miles.

Complaints
280
Median age at failure
3.4 yr
Median mileage
63,000 n=86
Crash / fire / tow
13.2% of reports
Safety recalls
8

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
44 reports · 52,214 mi
4.3 yr
4.5%
Engine cooling
39 reports · 61,200 mi
3.2 yr
5.1%
Service brakes, hydraulic
36 reports · 84,088 mi
2.2 yr
13.9%
Steering
28 reports · 63,000 mi
4.2 yr
10.7%
Air bags
22 reports · 108,000 mi
2.2 yr
72.7%
Power train
16 reports · 137,000 mi
2.2 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08E063000 2008-10-17
Steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

06E049000 2006-05-24
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

06E026000 2006-03-23
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

04V036000 2004-01-27
Electrical system:ignition:switch

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

99V218000 1999-08-11
Interior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 5 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN, CAUSING THE CAR TO REAR END THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF IT . *AK
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 3 mo in service
BRAKES EXPERIENCING CONTINUED GRINDING NOISE FOUR REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE GRINDING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. MJS
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 10 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 15MPH, MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND A DOG CROSSED IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. BRAKES FAILED, SWERVED AND AVOIDED HITTING THE DOG. AS A RESULT, HAD AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML
Air bags mileage not reported 6 mo in service crash / fire / tow
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HIT A GUARDRAIL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER MODULE. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INSPECTED COMPUTER WHICH REVEALED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED; BUT, IN REALITY, DID NOT. ALSO THE SEAT BELT DID NOT SECURE PROPERLY, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Other Cavalier model years

20052004200320022001200019991998

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