Model year record

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 337 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 99V218000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
6,584
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-11
Owners notified
1999-09-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

Safety risk

IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

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 slip2764,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1944,203 mi
Air bags: frontal1884,088 mi
Electrical system1577,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1164,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1154,000 mi
Steering1162,000 mi
Unknown or other929,346 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch850,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission8137,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Steering: hydraulic power assist system782,092 mi
Suspension735,000 mi
Vehicle speed control6
Electrical system: wiring538,744 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers587,200 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights535,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion545,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4
Power train454 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Visibility: power window devices and controls411,000 mi
Air bags3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery362,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator340,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition352,214 mi
Engine3160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline392,500 mi
Fuel system, other356,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly370,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic382,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Structure: body3
Structure: body: door3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Visibility: windshield3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: ignition: module2137,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood245,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control233,719 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting262,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights275,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings269,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2160,000 mi
Interior lighting243,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch229,346 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: manual transmission2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Service brakes2176,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)263,000 mi
Structure235,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields235,000 mi
Suspension: front2
Tires2108,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility262,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1
Electrical system: horn1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment162,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal157,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail147,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1889,350 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting195,365 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system177,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices164,000 mi
Parking brake1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front1108,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Service brakes, air: antilock1320,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: column128,000 mi
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: rear128,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1
Wheels1

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 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.