1989 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

2 recalls, 71 complaints - 1 TSBs

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Consequence

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANK.

13,095 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

71 total complaints 2 crashes 1 fires 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT	2
TIRES:SIDEWALL	2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	2

Incident date: Mar 4, 2002

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN US 95 NORTH IN LAS VEGAS AT 65 MPH, THE IGNITION SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND LEFT ME COASTING WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS IN THE EXIT LANE. BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY AND ENGINE FIRED RIGHT UP AGAIN BEFORE I ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 4, 2002

Incident date: Jul 15, 1991

ENTIRE RED CAR BEGAN FADING ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER DELIVERY. DOORS ONLY HAVE LOST ALL PAINT, INTEGRITY OF DOORS IS COMPROMISED DUE TO RESULTING RUST. I CAN LIVE WITH AN AUTO WHICH IS SLOWING FADING IN COLOR:THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE DOORS. BECAUSE IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT IT IS SOLELY BOTH DOORS EXHI... Read more

Incident date: Feb 25, 2004

I PURCHASED FOUR FIREHAWK SS20 P215/60R14 RWL TIRES FOR MY 89 CAVALIERZ24 ON 04/19/01 IN JACKSONVILLE FL. AT STORE #005770 OR #018538-THERE ARE TWO NUMBERS. THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED TWICE SINCE THEN. RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY TIRES IS SEPARATING ABOVE THE WHITE LETTERS IN PERFECT BI-SECT... Read more

Incident date: Feb 23, 2002

WHEN I COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR PUSH MY BRAKES TO A CERTAIN PART DOWN, THE CAR DIES. ALSO ON THE RECALL OF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS COMPUTER DID NOT GO THAT FAR BACK ON THE MODEL THEY WOULD'NT DO IT.THE DEALER WAS KARNES IN SOMERSET KY.

Incident date: Feb 23, 2002

Incident date: Sep 1, 2002

THE DOOR FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS CRACKS EXTENDING OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS FROM THE DRILL HOLE FOR THE STRIKER. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. SHOULD THE VEHICLE(FOR INSTANCE)BE HIT BROADSIDE ON THE DRIVERS REAR QUARTER (JUST BEHIND THE DOOR... Read more

Incident date: Nov 5, 1998

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR SEAT BACKS FLOP BACK AND FORTH. SEATS WILL COME UP AND DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT BACKS DO NOT LOCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *YH

Incident date: Nov 14, 2000

VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 KNOWN ECM MODULES REPLACED IN ITS LIFE OF 11 YEARS. *AK

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK COMLETELY, FUEL FLOODS OUT OF THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD ACCIDENT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH AND ANOTHER VECHICLE HIT HIM FROM THE BLIND SIDE. HE WANTS TO NO WHY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

Crash

THE HATCHBACK LATCH EXPERIENCING FAILURE, ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH NOT SUCCESS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE HATCHBACK IS FULLY CLOSED ANY SMALL BUMP WHILE DRIVING RELEASES THE LOCK AND POPS THE DOOR OPEN, WHICH ALLOWS EXHAUST (FUMES) TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *YC

Incident date: Jun 7, 1999

CLUTCH SYSTEM SPECS ON PARTS WERE CHANGED. THIS CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO LOCK UP IF AIR GETS INTO LINE. CAN NOT GET OUT OF GEAR. *AK

FUEL SYSTEM FAILED / FUEL GUAGE OVERHEATING. *YC

CV JOINT BOOT STRAP IS VERY CLOSE TO THE OIL FILTER AND DAMAGED FILTER CAUSING OIL LEAKING AND MOTOR TO SIEZE DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION FLAW.

Incident date: Apr 25, 1994

WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.

Incident date: Apr 25, 1994

WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.

Incident date: Jun 7, 1996

ENGINE FAILED.

Incident date: Apr 25, 1994

WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.

Incident date: Oct 7, 1993

BRAKES FAILED.

Incident date: Apr 29, 1992

TIRES FAILED.

NO PROBLEM DESCRIBED.

Incident date: Nov 5, 1997

WHENEVER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH, WOULD HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING. THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALWAYS GO TO THE RIGHT. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION. *AK

Incident date: Dec 18, 1996

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN LEANING FORWARD; WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THERE IS NO GIVE. HAVE TO PULL/JERK TO TRY TO RELEASE BELT FOR ROOM. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALR CANNOT LOCATE REASON FOR LOCK UP. *AK

FUEL PIPE LEADING INTO FUEL TANK LEAKED.

Incident date: Jan 15, 1997

HEATER CORE WENT BAD, ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED OUT OF RADIATOR AS A RESULT. *AK

EXTERIOR FINISH ON VEHICLE HAS DEGRADED SEVERELY DESPITE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. *AK

Incident date: Jul 8, 1996

SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

Incident date: Jul 22, 1996

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 507067)

Incident date: Jul 15, 1996

WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOOR UNLATCHES FOR NO REASON, ALSO REPLACED POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. *AK

Incident date: Jul 15, 1996

WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE THE BACK DOOR UNLATCHES FOR NO REASON, ALSO REPLACED POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. *AK

Incident date: Apr 25, 1996

DRIVERS SEAT BACK FELL BACK UPON STOPPING, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 1, 1996

REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK

Incident date: Jul 1, 1996

INTERMITTENT STALLING AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *AK

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

EMERGENCY BRAKES INOPERATIVE. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

WATER PUMP FAILED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

CONVERTIBLE ROOF TOP REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

FUEL INJECTORS REPAIRED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

REAR WINDOW REPLACED DUE TO POOR QUALITY/DESIGN. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH INOPERATIVE. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

ROUGH IDLE. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAK/OVERHEATING. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

ECM REPLACED. *SD

Incident date: Mar 12, 1996

ENGINE FAN FAILED. *SD

Showing 50 of 71 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 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)	23.0	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)	16.0	26.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100

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, 1989 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

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

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1995

FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA

SQ, Closed , Model Year: 2000

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE