1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Most common 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

Problem areas named in the 503 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	140
Electrical System	109
Air Bags	77
Power Train	59
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	58
Steering	53
Visibility	31
Suspension	27
Unknown Or Other	24
Seat Belts	21

What owners report

2017-11-28, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A U TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, RIGHT SHOULDER, AND LEFT KNEE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

2017-09-26, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH; HOWEVER, IT SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH, LEG BRUISES, AND HEAD LACERATIONS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL UNDER HER DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE DOCTOR DETERMINED THAT THE CONTACT'S NECK WAS FRACTURED AND SHE WAS SENT TO GET AN MRI AT THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED

2014-09-22, Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A STOP SIGN AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,450.

2014-03-08, Engine
THIS CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LIKE THE GM CARS BEING MENTIONED IN THE NEWS TODAY. STARTED IN 2005 AND WAS EVALUATED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT KEPT IT OVER A MONTH. IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING (VARIED SPEEDS). IT ALSO RANDOMLY WON'T START. TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT WILL QUIT ON YOU OR NOT START.RESETTING DID NOT HELP.CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR DAUGHTER (NEW DRIVER) TO DRIVE, BUT WAS TOO UNSAFE. *TR

2013-03-05, Interior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SIXTEEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY REMOVED THE INTERIOR LIGHT FUSE TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V027000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier questions

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: Steering:Rack And Pinion; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch; Suspension:Rear; Air Bags; Interior Lighting. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Based on 503 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (140), Electrical System (109), Air Bags (77).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.