1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

3 recalls, 14 complaints - 1 TSBs

06E043000 May 19, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Description
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE... Read more
Consequence
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
88,303 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
88V121000 Jul 25, 1988
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Defect Description
THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.
Consequence
WINDSHIELD COULD SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIERTEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212. SUCH SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT INAN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND INJURIED.
Remedy
REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.
33 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
88V095000 Jun 14, 1988
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
Defect Description
REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.
Consequence
LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy
INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.
14,840 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

14 total complaints 1 crashes 1 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
STEERING1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK1
WHEELS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Nov 1, 2005
Incident date: Feb 21, 2004
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS WIND BLOWING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANTS, ALLOWING COLD DRAFTS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 88V121000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDI... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Apr 9, 2004
Incident date: Apr 4, 2004
WINDSHIELD BONDING DOES NOT MEET FMVSS 212, 1988, CHEVROLET CAVALIER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 88V121000. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 30, 2004
Incident date: Mar 26, 2004
PURCHASED A 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM E[ILOTOS AUTO SALES 2230 FRANKFORT AVE. PHILA. PA. THE CAR WAS SOLD WITHOUT THE DEALER INFORMING THE BUYER OF THE DEFECTS. THERE WERE MANY....TWO MAIN CRUNCHERS WERE THE BRAKES AND HUDDLED SYSTEMS. THE EMISSION STICKERS WERE DUE. THE DEALER SAID,"HE W... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Apr 25, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS Apr 25, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Apr 25, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHEELS Jun 16, 1998
WATER LEAKS INTO THE SPARE TIRE WELL IN THE TRUNK.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK Jun 27, 1997
DUE TO THE ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING RACK AND ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS, THE STEERING FAILS ON LEFT TURNS IN COLD WEATHER.
SUSPENSION:FRONT Aug 15, 1996
SUSPENSION/BODY PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECKED BEFORE DRIVER PURCHASED IT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Jul 19, 1996
Incident date: Nov 2, 1994
THE ELCTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE CLUSTER GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAS TO PUKK OVER TO WAIT FOR THE CLUSTER TO COME BACK ON, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES HE HAS ANOTHR VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS SAME ... Read more
STEERING Jun 28, 1996
Incident date: Jun 1, 1991
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Jun 21, 1996
Incident date: Jun 20, 1996
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LAP SEAT BELT BROKE APART. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH May 11, 1995
Incident date: May 5, 1995
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN FRONT DASH, ELECTRICAL. TT
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Mar 13, 1995
WAS DRIVING THE CAR CAME TO A STOP LIGHT PUT ON BRAKE IT FEEL LIKE CAR IS ALREADY TO GO. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 22.0 29.0 25.0 Regular $2,450
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 22.0 33.0 26.0 Regular $2,350
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 25.0 20.0 Regular $3,100
2.8L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 27.0 21.0 Regular $2,950

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
000524001 Apr 1, 2000
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

NHTSA Safety Investigations, CHEVROLET CAVALIER

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA07015 Opened: Nov 1, 2007 , Closed: Oct 28, 2008
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2003
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND GENERALLY RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, THESE INC... Read more
PE07033 Opened: Jun 28, 2007 , Closed: Nov 1, 2007
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2003
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HAS IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATED MOTOR BRUSH WEAR IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 CHEVROLET V... Read more
EA04028 Opened: Sep 14, 2004 , Closed: Nov 22, 2004
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2003
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
ON MAY 14, 2004 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-043) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE BRAKE/TAIL TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN EITHER THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, OR WHEN THE TURN SIGN... Read more
PE04043 Opened: May 14, 2004 , Closed: Sep 14, 2004
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2003
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND DO NOT PROVIDE A SIGNAL TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE REPORT OF A CRASH WHERE THE COMPLAINANT BRAKED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE IMPACTED THE COMPLAINANT'S VEHICLE IN THE DRI... Read more
DP03007 Opened: Oct 14, 2003 , Closed: Jan 30, 2004
DP, Closed , Model Year: 1996
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPO... Read more
EA02028 Opened: Sep 30, 2002 , Closed: Dec 30, 2003
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2000
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AG... Read more
PE02066 Opened: Sep 6, 2002 , Closed: Nov 3, 2003
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2000
ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTI... Read more
PE02001 Opened: Jan 3, 2002 , Closed: Mar 15, 2002
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1995
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
SQ01002 Opened: Jan 26, 2001 , Closed: Sep 30, 2002
SQ, Closed , Model Year: 2000
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
There is no summary currently available
EA98001 Opened: Jan 23, 1998 , Closed: Jul 31, 1998
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1996
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 Opened: Sep 9, 1997 , Closed: Jan 23, 1998
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1996
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
There is no summary currently available
EA94033 Opened: Sep 29, 1994 , Closed: Mar 29, 1996
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1993
HORN PAD FALLS OFF
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DETACHMENT OF THE HORN PAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM SEE EA94-033 ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT.
PE94042 Opened: May 23, 1994 , Closed: Sep 29, 1994
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994
HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF
There is no summary currently available
PE93090 Opened: Oct 8, 1993 , Closed: Feb 28, 1994
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
There is no summary currently available
PE87004 Opened: Nov 5, 1986 , Closed: Jul 16, 1987
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1982
ELECT. FAILURES/FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER REPORTS INCLUDE 1OWNER COMPLAINT, 45 FIELD REPORTS, AND 2 LAWSUITS.NO SERVICE OR TECHNICALBULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO DEALERS.GM REPORTED THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN INITIATED FOR BOTH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING HAR-NESS AND T... Read more
PE86049 Opened: Apr 24, 1986 , Closed: Aug 1, 1986
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1984
SEAT TRACK LOCK
ANALYSIS:EIGHT (8) OF THE 13 COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FAILURE OCCURREDPRIOR TO ANY IMPACT/ACCIDENT INVOLVEMENT.ONE (1) OF THE FAILURES MAY HAVECAUSED OR AT LEAST INFLUENCED THE DRIVERS INVOLVEMENT IN AN ACCIDENT.THEDRIVER'S SUDDEN TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL MAY HAVE RESULTED FROMHIS INABILI... Read more

CHEVROLET CAVALIER - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the CHEVROLET CAVALIER across all model years (1982, 2005).

110 Total Recalls
6,469 Total Complaints
16 Investigations
552 Reported Crashes
167 Reported Fires
28 Reported Deaths

CHEVROLET CAVALIER - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2005 1 362 View
2004 2 428 View
2003 2 867 View
2002 5 254 View
2001 6 356 View
2000 7 447 View
1999 8 337 View
1998 11 473 View
1997 13 751 View
1996 13 748 View
1995 9 392 View
1994 2 310 View
1993 2 237 View
1992 1 178 View
1991 3 77 View
1990 1 70 View
1989 2 71 View
1988 (current) 3 14
1987 3 27 View
1986 3 21 View
1985 3 4 View
1984 3 10 View
1983 6 17 View
1982 1 1 View

Other CHEVROLET Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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MALIBU 216 29,080 View
SILVERADO 1500 200 22,534 View
CORVETTE 187 6,308 View
CAMARO 179 4,298 View
SILVERADO 159 10,964 View
SILVERADO 3500 152 1,409 View