FaultScore

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier seat problems

11 of the 751 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the seats — 1% of everything reported for this model year.

F

11

Complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Seats 6 54.5%
Recliner 5 45.5%

Seats across every Chevrolet Cavalier year

1992 12 24.5%
1994 12 24.5%
1996 14 28.6%
1997 11 22.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Graham, NC

SEATS

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT STARTING MOVING WHEN SITTING ON IT 5 MONTHS AFTER CAR WITH PURCHASED BRAND NEW-- THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM-- ENTIRE COMPONENT UNDERNEATH SEAT WAS REPLACED. 11 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM-- DEALER FIXED AGAIN AT NO CHARGE-- THEN 2 YEARS LATER AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN-- ITS SLIDES SLIGHTLY WHEN BRAKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AGAIN-- I KNOW THE DEALER WILL CHARGE ME NOW SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY A LONG TIME AGO.

NHTSA complaint #758959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA Crash 1 injured

SEATS

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED IN A STOPPED POSITION BY OTHER AUTO AT 20+ MPH, DRIVERS' SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING HUSBAND TO RECEIVE A BAD WHIP LASH INQUIRY.

NHTSA complaint #9004373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stuart, FL Crash 1 injured

SEATS

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN SHE WAS REARENDED WITH 40 MPH IMPACT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS WENT FLYING BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #887932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alliance, NE Crash

SEATS

WHILE STOPPING AT A RED SIGNAL WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD, LEAVING CONSUMER FLAT ON HIS. DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN CAUSE OF COLLAPSE.

NHTSA complaint #883707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chippewa Falls, WI

SEATS

WHILE MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP REAR FOLDING SEAT CAME OUT OF THE METAL BRACKETS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #864589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, PA Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY CAR THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON 12/26/99 AT APPROX 55-60 MPH WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS PUSHED US INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE STOPPING WITHING 2-3 INCHES FRONT A FRONT END COLLISION. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SLID FORWARD TO THE DASHBOAD,CAUSING MY LEGS AND WRISTS TO HIT THE DASHBOARD. THIS CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS TO MY SHINS (THE WORST BEING MY RIGHT LEG), MY WRISTS WERE SPRAINED FROM DASHBOARD, NECK WHIPLASHED BOTH SIDES AND SPINAL/LOW BACK PAIN FROM PELVIS BEING PUSHED UP, CAUSING COMPRESSION ON LOWER SPINE, LOWER RIGHT ABDOMINAL PAIN WITH NAUSEA, DIARREAH AND LOW GRADE FEVERS. SAYING MAYBE APPENDIX OR MUSCULAR.I REMEMBER SLAMMING INTO DASHBOARD EVEN WITH SEATBELT ON. MY SEAT WAS COMPLETELY AGAIN THE DASH WITH EXCEPTION OF ROOM NEEDED FOR LEGS TO HIT IT.THE SEAT MUST HAVE OR I COULD HAVE PUSHED SEAT BACK AFTERIMPACT. THE SEAT IS NOW NOT MOVING AT ALL. GMC SAYS SINCE AN ADJUSTER PAID PARTIAL SETTLEMENT TO BODY SHOP THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT... I HAVE LIMITED TORT INSURANCE, 2 KIDS AND NOW NOT WORKING, AND IN NEED OF MONEY UNTIL INSURANCE PAYS ME MONTHLY WHAT I WOULD BE MAKING AT WORK. WHAT DO I DO?

NHTSA complaint #717009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxford, MI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO LATCH IN PLACE; CAUSING SEAT TO FREELY MOVE;SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #844462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxford, MI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER SEAT LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK THE DRIVER SEAT IN PLACE IN CERTAIN POSITION. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OCCUPANT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN TURNED OFF STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #844069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shady Spring, WV Crash

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

VEHICLE WAS REARENDED AT ABOUT 70MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT SEATBACKS COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #826403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, FL 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DURING A COLLISION, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SERIOUS PERMANENT INJURY TO LEGS DUE TO DRIVER'S SEAT PUSHING HER LOWER BODY UP UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INTO STEERING COLUMN. DRIVER ALSO INJURED WRIST.

NHTSA complaint #780339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, FL 1 injured

SEATS

FRONT SEATS MOUNTING TRACKS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #530773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

← Full 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier report