Model year record

1983 Chevrolet Cavalier

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 17 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V165000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
126,319
Reported to NHTSA
1987-10-26
Owners notified
1987-11-17

Defect description

INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.

Safety risk

IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V079000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,136,407
Reported to NHTSA
1987-05-07
Owners notified
1987-06-24

Defect description

THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.

Safety risk

DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V105000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
352,036
Reported to NHTSA
1983-10-13
Owners notified
1983-10-20

Defect description

THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V042000

Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
312
Reported to NHTSA
1983-04-19
Owners notified
1983-04-27

Defect description

THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY, MAY COME LOOSE AT ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS IS DUE TO POSSIBLE INADEQUATE WELDING OF THE BRACKET.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST.

Recall campaignNHTSA 82V096000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
12,721
Reported to NHTSA
1982-10-07
Owners notified
1982-10-11

Defect description

POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Manufacturer remedy

THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Vehicle speed control2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Power train1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 1982 model has 17 times as many complaints as this one. The 1984 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.