CarModelProblems.com

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems & Recalls

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

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
240Complaints
8Recalls
27Crashes
2Fires
17Injured
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 (11.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip27 · 11.2%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline19 · 7.9%not available
Air Bags:frontal18 · 7.5%not available
Electrical System15 · 6.2%RecalledRecall 04V036000
Engine And Engine Cooling11 · 4.6%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine11 · 4.6%not available

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE19 · 7.9%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL18 · 7.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15 · 6.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 · 4.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11 · 4.6%
STEERING11 · 4.6%
Unspecified / other9 · 3.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8 · 3.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 240 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 — 8 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

Interior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 99V218000 · 1999 · reported 08/11/1999

IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS. 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

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

“WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER NOTICED A THUMBING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES. TECHNICIAN STATED INTER LOCK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 8005107 — filed 03/06/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE BRAKING SYSTEM CONTINUALLY FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE FAULTLY, THEY DO NOT WORK AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO, THEY HAVE A TENDACY TO HOLD…”NHTSA complaint 785759 — filed 10/30/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE BRAKING SYSTEM CONTINUALLY FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE FAULTLY, THEY DO NOT WORK AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO, THEY HAVE A TENDACY TO HOLD…”NHTSA complaint 785759 — filed 10/30/2001 · 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

2520024232200420720061042008472010252013112016632019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 27 of 240 NHTSA complaints (11.2%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (19), air bags:frontal (18), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

240 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes — 8 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 1999 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.