Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 473 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V286000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,159,156
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-04
Owners notified
2003-01-24

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V053000

Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
391
Reported to NHTSA
2000-02-28
Owners notified
2000-03-17

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.

Safety risk

ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V219000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
24
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-24
Owners notified
1997-11-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.

Safety risk

THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.

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 slip3481,037 mi
Steering: rack and pinion3167,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2236,813 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline20
Electrical system: ignition1480,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1469,000 mi
Air bags12100,000 mi
Electrical system1290,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1227,500 mi
Vehicle speed control1137,000 mi
Steering1010,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module756,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers776,968 mi
Structure: body: door7
Structure: body: trunk lid7
Structure: frame and members7150,000 mi
Unknown or other7100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield7
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch687,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission631 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Suspension: front6
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system52,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)5175,055 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch5
Seats5100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Structure: body5143,600 mi
Electrical system: horn4
Electrical system: wiring474,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling4100,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Exterior lighting: brake lights4
Exterior lighting: headlights4
Power train: clutch assembly418,868 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)488,030 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery355,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3102,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, other3
Fuel/propulsion system3125,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock3
Power train3
Power train: manual transmission340,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: column376,968 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack382,525 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars336 mi
Suspension3150,000 mi
Tires3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs383,656 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2169,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk265,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys265,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump276,968 mi
Parking brake: conventional2
Seat belts: front260,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes2125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Structure289,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1142,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)124,800 mi
Engine1150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly177,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump180,000 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system180,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system137,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings135,738 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages176,968 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device139,040 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: power window devices and controls136 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1150,000 mi

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.