22 of the 70 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the electrical system — 31% of everything reported for this model year.
22
Complaints
0
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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.
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.
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: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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHILE DRIVING HORN PAD FELL OUT AND STUCK IN STEERING WHEEL, FROZE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RIPPED OFF DIFFERENTIAL, SPEED 30 MPH, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT..
NHTSA complaint #806150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #509535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #508316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL
NHTSA complaint #508038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL PAN.
NHTSA complaint #801595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 40MPH, SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN, NO WARNING, DUE TO COMPUTER WITHIN IGNITION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #984777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SHORTAGE IN WIRE LEADING TO MOTOR CAUSES MOTOR TO BURN UP. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #501544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN GOING UP A HILL, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND HAS TO RESTART AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #981061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERHOOD, RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S; CAUSE UNKOWN; VEHICLE TOTALED; VEHICLE WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE CO.
NHTSA complaint #980532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERHOOD, RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S; CAUSE UNKOWN; VEHICLE TOTALED; VEHICLE WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE CO.
NHTSA complaint #980532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ARE SMOKING. TT
NHTSA complaint #976478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER PARKED 20 MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE UNDER HODD. TT
NHTSA complaint #962430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR/STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #478085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER FAILED TWICE. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #478085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.