1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Air Bags:frontal Problems
NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How air bags:frontal ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 540 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier overview page.
What owners report
“THIS IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFCIAL INVESTIGATION. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH AND HIT A LARGE FENCE AND CEMENT STRUCTURE WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO…”NHTSA complaint 837472 — filed 05/05/1999
“CONSUMER WAS AT STOP WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED WITH GREAT FORCE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD, HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT . DUAL AIR BAGS…”NHTSA complaint 836488 — filed 04/05/1999
“HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN CANADA, ON 23 NOV 98, RECALL 98V146000. A WEEK AFTER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER…”NHTSA complaint 833100 — filed 01/06/1999
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air Bags:frontal complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have air bags:frontal problems?
Air Bags:frontal is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: 44 of 540 complaints on file (8.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have in total?
540 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 70 involved a crash, 25 involved a fire, 78 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's air bags:frontal category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
