Model year record

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 310 owner complaints on file.

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V115000

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

Component
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
65
Reported to NHTSA
1994-06-24
Owners notified
1994-05-24

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4438,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine35—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1183,334 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components11—
Electrical system: horn10—
Unknown or other988,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Structure: body: door8—
Power train: automatic transmission7—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly698,200 mi
Seats6103,725 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6—
Vehicle speed control6—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer6—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5—
Seat belts5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Air bags: frontal4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm4—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3194,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Suspension: front3—
Tires3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal278,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2—
Seat belts: front2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Structure: body: trunk lid298,200 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1184,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1184,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system140,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages195,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission1154,200 mi
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module198,200 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber180,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1993 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about half 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.