1990 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

1 recalls, 70 complaints - 2 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.

Complaint Statistics

70 total complaints 2 crashes 13 fires 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	9
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER	5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR	3
SEAT BELTS	3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	2

Incident date: Nov 2, 2014

KNOCKING AT START UP FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PADS THE PINS WOULDN'T MOVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. HAD TO COMPRESS THE PINS LOOSE WITH A C-CLAMP. ALSO, I'VE GOT SOME KIND OF LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT'S A COMBINATION OF ANTIFREEZE & OIL. WHICH I THINK IS CAUSED FROM TH... Read more

Incident date: Jun 16, 2004

1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUME... Read more

Incident date: Aug 25, 2005

1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 25, 2005

CONSUMER HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE STARTER AND THE USE OF A STARTER NOT DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE.*MR *TS. THE STARTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FROM THE AUTO STORE WAS SAID TO BE INCOMPATIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WORKED FINE. *JB

Incident date: Jun 4, 2002

TREAD SERARATED FROM TIRE WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH. *AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 2002

WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE THERE WAS SOME SMOKE COMING UP FROM IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK.*AK

Incident date: Feb 13, 2002

HARD TO START VEHICLE. STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ERRATIC IDLE. ENGINE DIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHO ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN COMPUTER. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WHICH CONTROL THE IDLE S... Read more

Incident date: Feb 13, 2002

Incident date: Jan 24, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 24, 2002

CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Fire

Incident date: Aug 14, 2001

SCHOOL HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS ON THEIR VEHICLES. A LARGE GROUP OF GOODYEARS INVICTA TIRES WERE TAKEN OFF IN 2000. LARGE CRACKS WERE SHOWING ONLY ON THE WHITE SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM SAME LOCATION, STEVES QUICK STOP. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE MAKE/ MODEL/ YEAR AND MI... Read more

SEATBELTS MOUNTED TO DOOR FRAME WERE CAUGHT IN DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO MECHANISM, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 2000

THE COOLANT FAN WONT RUN WHEN NEED HAVE TIO TURN THE HEATER ON TO RUN FAN AND TEMPERATURE LIGH COMES ON SOMETIMED WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR OR YOU CAN BE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT COMES ON. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD FAILED RESULTING IN A FIRE. NLM

Fire

Incident date: Jun 14, 1999

HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP 1 WEEK. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM.

Incident date: Jan 7, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. THE RIGHT WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. STEERING SHIMMIES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH.

Incident date: May 17, 1998

NOTICE ENGINE LEAKING OIL. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN WEATHER WAS WET. VEHICLE KEPT MOVING THROUGH RED LIGHT. NO ABS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRS ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. (RELAYED PHONE CALL).

Incident date: May 17, 1998

TAILGATE LATCH WORN EXCESSIVELY, PREVENTING IT FROM STAYING CLOSED.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1991

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AFFECTING VISIBILITY. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1997

ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1997

ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1997

ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE. *AK

Incident date: May 28, 1994

STEERING FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 4, 1996

WHILE DRIVING HORN PAD FELL OUT AND STUCK IN STEERING WHEEL, FROZE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RIPPED OFF DIFFERENTIAL, SPEED 30 MPH, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.. *AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 1993

ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED ANTI-THEFT ALARM TO GO OFF.

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

DURING HOT WEATHER MONTHS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON BY THEMSELVES.

Incident date: Oct 11, 1996

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES REPLACED.

Incident date: Oct 10, 1996

OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A GARAGE, WAS ASKED TO START IT, VEHICLE BLEW UP IN MECHANIC'S FACE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ENGINE AND NOW ITS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jul 11, 1996

ELECTRICAL FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Aug 9, 1996

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 11, 1996

SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.

Fire

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 55MPH, EXPERIENCED LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, CAUSED WHEN BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY.*AK

Incident date: Aug 5, 1996

ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL

ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL PAN. *AK

Incident date: Jun 19, 1996

WIPER SWITCH INOPERATIVE. *SD

Incident date: Oct 17, 1991

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SMOKED. *SD

Incident date: Jun 19, 1996

STEERING COLUMN SMOKED. *SD

Incident date: Apr 30, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED FIRE. *DSH

Fire

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 40MPH, SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN, NO WARNING, DUE TO COMPUTER WITHIN IGNITION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Incident date: Aug 15, 1995

SEAT BELT FAILED. *DSH

1 injured

Incident date: Sep 28, 1995

ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD

Incident date: Aug 4, 1994

SHORTAGE IN WIRE LEADING TO MOTOR CAUSES MOTOR TO BURN UP. *DSH

WHEN GOING UP A HILL, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND HAS TO RESTART AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 20, 1996

WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERHOOD, RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S; CAUSE UNKOWN; VEHICLE TOTALED; VEHICLE WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE CO. *AK

Fire

Showing 50 of 70 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	30.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	33.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	25.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
3.1L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	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, 1990 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

2 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1

034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT RE

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