CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year

1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

178 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 178 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 9 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 CAVALIER is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 39 filings, followed by seats (7) and electrical system:ignition (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1992 CAVALIER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

178
Complaints
16
Crashes
9
Fires
16
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

178 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP39
SEATS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS4
SEAT BELTS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3

Recent Complaints

20090520TIRES

NEW TIRES AND VALVE STEMS WERE INSTALLED ON MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 8,000 MILES TWO VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED IN THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, ONE ABOUT MAY 7 TH 2009 AND ANOTHER ON MAY 19 2009. FIRST FAILED STEM WAS REPLACED MAY 8TH. AM NO WAITING FOR INFORMATION FROM THE SELLER OF THE STEMS IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OTHER THREE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

20080226STRUCTURE:BODY

THE BODY SEAM PUTTY ON AND AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND FIREWALL DRIES OUT, THEN CRACKS, AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT, MY FRONT FLOOR PANS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE ARE RUSTING AS IS MY FIREWALL. MY FRONT CARPET IS MOST ALWAYS WET AND MUSTY SMELLING UNLESS I PULL THE CARPETS BACK AFTER EVERY RAIN TO ALLOW THE INTERIOR MOISTURE TO DRY (THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN OR PARKED IN THE RAIN). *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20070413STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL HAS A PIECE WHICH IS OVER THE HORN. HIS CAME OFF AS I WAS MAKING A SHARP U-TURN ON A TWO WAY STREET. IT JAMMED IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY TURN SIGNAL LEVER. I TEMPORARILY WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PIECE AT THE CENTER OF THE DRIVING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE, INTERFERE WITH STEERING, AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

20050830CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE PEDAL WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING. MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BUT WITHOUT HIM BEING ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO RE-OCCUR, HE CAN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. *NM

20041202SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB

20040907STEERING

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 129,400

20040614ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HA

Mileage: 15,500

20040614ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HA

Mileage: 15,500

20040614LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HA

Mileage: 15,500

20040614POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HA

Mileage: 15,500

20040614SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BUCKET OF JUNK SEEM TO WORK FINE MOST OF THE TIME BUT LOVE TO CHATTER INTERNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC/HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AS IF IT CAN'T MAKE UP ITS MIND. I HAVE DISABLED THE SYSTEM IN DIAGNOSING IT MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WORK BETTER WITHOUT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLING YOUR BRAKING. THE SYSTEM IS INTACT AS I DON'T WANT TO FOOL AROUND TOO MUCH BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SWITCH ON THE DASH - ABS ON - ABS OFF. I AM IN POOR HEALTH AND HA

Mileage: 15,500

20040604SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

20040321VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE INCURRED COSTS OF OVER $2000 AND AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT I HAVE BLOWN A HEAD GASKET DUE TO HEATER CORE\COOLING FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS MATTER ASAP. THANK YOU. SHERI MADRID *JB

Mileage: 114,000

20040321ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE INCURRED COSTS OF OVER $2000 AND AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT I HAVE BLOWN A HEAD GASKET DUE TO HEATER CORE\COOLING FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS MATTER ASAP. THANK YOU. SHERI MADRID *JB

Mileage: 114,000

20040316STRUCTURE:BODY

MOISTURE COLLECTS INSIDE MY VEHICLE, WHENEVER IT RAINS THERE IS WATER STANDING IN MY FLOOR BOARDS. *JB

20031205SUSPENSION:REAR

VEHICLE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCKS BROKE FREE OF WHAT REMAINED OF THE WHEEL WELL. *MR *SCC *JB

20021113POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. VEHICLE STARTS, BUT WILL ABRUPTLY STALL WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE COOLS, TRANSMISSION OPERATIONAL UNTIL VEHICLE WARMS BACK UP. THIS IS THE 5TH GM VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM. IT USUALLY OCCURS AT OR NEAR 100,000 MILES. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD IF VEHICLE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AS THERE IS NO WAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD 1 VEHICLE STALL ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. AFTER 5 VEHICLES IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT JUST RELATED TO 1 VEHICLE. ACQUAINTANCES WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER VEHICLES HAVE REPORTED NO SIMILAR PROBLEMS. DT

20020122SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE, WHICH AFFECTS VEHICLE STOPPING. DEALER CONTACTED.PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

20011213FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK

20011213FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK

Compare 1992CHEVROLETCAVALIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER have?
The 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER has 178 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 9 fires, 16 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 39 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.