Model year record

1988 Chevrolet Cavalier

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 14 owner complaints on file.

Chevrolet Cavalier, 1988–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V121000

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
33
Reported to NHTSA
1988-07-25

Defect description

THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V095000

Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk

Component
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
14,840
Reported to NHTSA
1988-06-14
Owners notified
1988-06-28

Defect description

REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.

Safety risk

LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Visibility: windshield264,870 mi
Electrical system1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Seat belts: front1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Suspension: front1—
Wheels1—

The 1987 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Chevrolet Cavalier model years

All Chevrolet Cavalier recalls by year

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.