Model year record

1995 Chevrolet Cavalier

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 392 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V250000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
270,014
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-30

Defect description

THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V141000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
16
Reported to NHTSA
1995-07-26
Owners notified
1995-07-19

Defect description

SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V025000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
21,340
Reported to NHTSA
1995-02-16
Owners notified
1995-02-15

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine5773,306 mi
Air bags: frontal23
Electrical system: ignition: switch18113,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1881,134 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip18
Electrical system: ignition1693,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission13
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer12
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core10
Engine and engine cooling860,000 mi
Electrical system: horn777,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor7
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys6
Unknown or other6
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5149,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Seats: front assembly: recliner5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads572,012 mi
Steering5179,850 mi
Electrical system448,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension: front: control arm4
Vehicle speed control4
Visibility: windshield4
Air bags3115,635 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator385,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner385,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Structure: body3
Suspension: front: macpherson strut3
Tires3
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3
Electrical system: starter assembly285,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly282,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2
Exterior lighting: brake lights2
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Structure: frame and members260,800 mi
Suspension2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Suspension: rear2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1179,850 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1179,850 mi
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields172,012 mi
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: hub1

The 1994 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 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.