CarModelProblems.com

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
345Complaints
11Recalls
36Crashes
10Fires
33Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (9.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip34 · 9.9%not available
Steering:rack And Pinion31 · 9%RecalledRecall 08E063000 · Recall 02V286000
Air Bags:frontal22 · 6.4%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline20 · 5.8%not available
Electrical System:ignition14 · 4.1%RecalledRecall 04V036000
Electrical System:ignition:switch14 · 4.1%RecalledRecall 04V036000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION14 · 4.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH14 · 4.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 3.5%
AIR BAGS12 · 3.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE12 · 3.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 3.2%

Percentages are the share of the 345 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 11 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 08E063000 · 2008 · reported 10/17/2008

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 07E015000 · 2007 · reported 02/26/2007

A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 04V036000 · 2004 · reported 01/27/2004

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:rack And Pinion

NHTSA campaign 02V286000 · 2002 · reported 11/04/2002

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 00V053000 · 2000 · reported 02/28/2000

ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA campaign 97V219000 · 1997 · reported 11/24/1997

THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE PADS ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR, NOW IT SEEMS THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN…”NHTSA complaint 727241 — filed 08/09/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN CRUISING AT A LOW SPEED UP TO VERY HIGH SPEEDS. BRAKE RESPONDED, BUT SOMETIMES WERE VERY HARD. DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 865283 — filed 07/12/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR UNEVENLY WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER…”NHTSA complaint 857356 — filed 02/22/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

252005742007342009252011712013162015222018312023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 345 NHTSA complaints (9.9%), followed by steering:rack and pinion (31), air bags:frontal (22), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

345 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 36 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 33 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E049000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.