FaultScore report
Owners have filed 70 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the electrical system.
70
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires
Median failure at 96,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 250,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STICKING THROTTLE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Other
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REGULATION 6 - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE. - INCORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS. -
Lights And Instruments
ON VEHICLES WITH "DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS" (D.R.L.), THE D.R.L. MODULE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY, CAN OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A NON-FUNCTIONAL MODULE, WHICH WILL RENDER THE D.R.L.'S INOPERATIVE BUT ALLOW NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE'S LIGHTING SYSTEM, WILL BE INSTALLED UNTIL FUNCTIONAL MODULES BECOME AVAILABLE, AT WHICH TIME THIS RECALL WILL BE REISSUED TO HAVE THE D.R.L. SYSTEM UPGRADED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8005144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8002845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD FAILED RESULTING IN A FIRE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #507127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A GARAGE, WAS ASKED TO START IT, VEHICLE BLEW UP IN MECHANIC'S FACE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ENGINE AND NOW ITS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #805058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #509535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES
KNOCKING AT START UP FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PADS THE PINS WOULDN'T MOVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. HAD TO COMPRESS THE PINS LOOSE WITH A C-CLAMP. ALSO, I'VE GOT SOME KIND OF LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT'S A COMBINATION OF ANTIFREEZE & OIL. WHICH I THINK IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOCKING SOUND. MY BRAKE LIGHT & AN EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT SHOWS ON MY DASHBOARD SOMETIMES. MY FUEL MONITOR GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE EXACT AMOUNT IN TANK. COULD THE LISTED RECALL CAUSE MY CAR. TO RUNS OUT OF GAS AT QUARTER TANK OF GAS?
NHTSA complaint #10660986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10148689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST A CRETIN POINT THE RIM HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT INTO THIS 45 DEGREE DEFLECTION AND SLICES INTO THE TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. 3. I CALLED DUNLOP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TALK DOWN TO IN A CONDESCENDING MANOR, HIT A DEAD END THERE!
NHTSA complaint #10140939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST A CRETIN POINT THE RIM HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT INTO THIS 45 DEGREE DEFLECTION AND SLICES INTO THE TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. 3. I CALLED DUNLOP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TALK DOWN TO IN A CONDESCENDING MANOR, HIT A DEAD END THERE!
NHTSA complaint #10140939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE STARTER AND THE USE OF A STARTER NOT DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE.*MR *TS. THE STARTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FROM THE AUTO STORE WAS SAID TO BE INCOMPATIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WORKED FINE.
NHTSA complaint #10031500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TREAD SERARATED FROM TIRE WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH.
NHTSA complaint #762642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
HARD TO START VEHICLE. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ERRATIC IDLE. ENGINE DIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN COMPUTER. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WHICH CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. GAS ODOR IS GONE BUT CAR STILL DIES AT STOPS AND WILL NOT IDLE CORRECTLY. DEALER COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER FOR THE CAUSES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF THEM CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #760333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HARD TO START VEHICLE. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ERRATIC IDLE. ENGINE DIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN COMPUTER. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WHICH CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. GAS ODOR IS GONE BUT CAR STILL DIES AT STOPS AND WILL NOT IDLE CORRECTLY. DEALER COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER FOR THE CAUSES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF THEM CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #760333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE THERE WAS SOME SMOKE COMING UP FROM IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK.
NHTSA complaint #8006976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
HARD TO START VEHICLE. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ERRATIC IDLE. ENGINE DIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN COMPUTER. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WHICH CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. GAS ODOR IS GONE BUT CAR STILL DIES AT STOPS AND WILL NOT IDLE CORRECTLY. DEALER COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER FOR THE CAUSES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF THEM CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #760333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8005144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8002845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
SCHOOL HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS ON THEIR VEHICLES. A LARGE GROUP OF GOODYEARS INVICTA TIRES WERE TAKEN OFF IN 2000. LARGE CRACKS WERE SHOWING ONLY ON THE WHITE SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM SAME LOCATION, STEVES QUICK STOP. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE MAKE/ MODEL/ YEAR AND MILEAGE INFORMATION. TIRE SIZE P175/80R13, DOT# M6JUFAHR1430.*AK THE SCHOOL STATED THAT TIRES OF REGATTA SERIES ALSO HAD CRACKS IN SIDE WALL IN ADDITON TO THE PREVIOUS INVICTA BRAND. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL.
NHTSA complaint #894869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELTS MOUNTED TO DOOR FRAME WERE CAUGHT IN DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO MECHANISM, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #884912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE COOLANT FAN WONT RUN WHEN NEED HAVE TIO TURN THE HEATER ON TO RUN FAN AND TEMPERATURE LIGH COMES ON SOMETIMED WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR OR YOU CAN BE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT COMES ON.
NHTSA complaint #736785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD FAILED RESULTING IN A FIRE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP 1 WEEK. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #707730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. THE RIGHT WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. STEERING SHIMMIES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #780473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NOTICE ENGINE LEAKING OIL. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN WEATHER WAS WET. VEHICLE KEPT MOVING THROUGH RED LIGHT. NO ABS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. (RELAYED PHONE CALL).
NHTSA complaint #826594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NOTICE ENGINE LEAKING OIL. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN WEATHER WAS WET. VEHICLE KEPT MOVING THROUGH RED LIGHT. NO ABS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. (RELAYED PHONE CALL).
NHTSA complaint #826594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
TAILGATE LATCH WORN EXCESSIVELY, PREVENTING IT FROM STAYING CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #526186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AFFECTING VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #522976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #523487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.