Model year record

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier

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

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.

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.