Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 1998 Chevrolet Conventional with NHTSA between 1999 and 2006.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Chevrolet Conventional
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
420.0%
Median failure at 56,765 miles
Brakes
315.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Equipment & Accessories
210.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
210.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Lights
210.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Body & Structure
210.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Seats
15.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Suspension
15.0%
Median failure at 35,530 miles
Steering
15.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
When owners complained
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.
Apr 1999peak 9Oct 2006
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 78,000 milesMidland,, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE WATER PUMP DEVELOPED A LEAK. UPON REPLACING BOTH THE PUMP AND THERMOSTAT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN CAVALIERS.
NHTSA complaint #10171122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
SUSPENSION
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
STRUCTURE
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,530 milesBowie, MD
EQUIPMENT
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD LIFTED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT THEN PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NM FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE WHEELS FRONT AND BACK, THE VEHICLE WAS USING 2 OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK, OUT OF ALIGNMENT, A/C COMPRESSOR MAKES NOISE AS IF IT WERE A BAD PULLEY BEARING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS BROKEN, THE CREW CAB OUTSIDE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY, THE REAR END LEAKED, THE REAR END WHEEL SEPERATED ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT OF POSITION, THE WATER PUMP WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM, UPPER AND LOWER PULLEYS FAILED AT SEPERATE TIMES, RADIATOR EXPLODED SENDING ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SEATS
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK, BIND AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, GET STIFF WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE BUILT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LEAK AND PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW THE TOP OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. THE SEATS WERE WEARING BADLY AT THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10054068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK, BIND AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, GET STIFF WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE BUILT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LEAK AND PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW THE TOP OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. THE SEATS WERE WEARING BADLY AT THE EDGES ON BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10054068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellington, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
SWING OPEN DOOR ON LEFT SIDE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE HINGES, AND OTHER DOOR WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8010201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Maria, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #609044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #608824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Clemen, CA
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
PLUG FOR SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Ynez, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Council BL, IA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DESIGN LOCATION OF THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH CAUSES DRIVER'S KNEE TO INADVERTENTLY HIT THE SWITCH AND THE WINDOW TO GO UP.
NHTSA complaint #535832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Council BL, IA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WORKS WITH TRAILER HOOKED UP, BUT WITHOUT USE OF TRAILER, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #535832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.