Chevrolet Cavalier problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Cavalier from 1990 to 2005: 4,549 owner complaints and 34 recalls across 16 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (678), 1997 (540), 1996 (503). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (2004).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 55 | 26 | |
| 1991 | 2 | 55 | 25 | |
| 1992 | 1 | 134 | 26 | |
| 1993 | 1 | 146 | 26 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 212 | 26 | |
| 1995 | 4 | 270 | 26 | |
| 1996 | 7 | 503 | 26 | |
| 1997 | 7 | 540 | 26 | |
| 1998 | 4 | 345 | 25 | |
| 1999 | 2 | 240 | 25 | |
| 2000 | 2 | 315 | 24 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 243 | 24 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 196 | 25 | |
| 2003 | 1 | 678 | 25 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 330 | 27 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 287 | 26 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Chevrolet Cavalier.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (678), 1997 (540), 1996 (503).
How many recalls has the Chevrolet Cavalier had?
Across 1990–2005, NHTSA lists 34 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).