Total Complaints
310 filings
CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year
1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
310 NHTSA complaints, 41 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 310 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 41 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1994 CAVALIER is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 44 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (35) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (11). 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 1994 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.
310
Complaints
41
Crashes
3
Fires
19
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
41 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 44 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 35 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 10 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 |
| SEATS | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 6 |
Recent Complaints
20121002CrashFatalSEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THERE WAS NO PIN IN THE SEAT BELT THAT PROPERLY SECURED IT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURED AROUND THE DRIVER'S ARM AND WAS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH, BUT NOT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
20100906POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE CABLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING AND YOUR NOT ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. *TR
Mileage: 154,200
20081230EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNAL/HORN PAD FAILURE. CALLED CHEVROLET HOTLINE ON 12/30/2008, AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. REFERRED ME TO DEALERSHIP AND SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 106,000
20070307FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*- THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ON 01/23/07. THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP, AND LOST POWER AT STOP LIGHTS. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE, AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO FUEL INJECTORS THAT WERE LEAKING. AND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE FIRESTONE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE WAS A FIRE HAZARD .AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE OWNER OF DAVE'S DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE OWNER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT THE VEHICLE FAILURES. THE CONTACT HAD AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRING THE INJECTORS WHICH WAS $442.00 ,AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPAIR FOR $600.00. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,500, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19, 4700. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB
Mileage: 194,700
20060411LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND THE MANUAL RELEASE WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
Mileage: 95,000
20051004SEATS
DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND HAS TO BE HELD UP BY SOME THING SO IT DON'T FALL BACK. *NM
Mileage: 103,725
20050524SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR
20050524POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR
20050303TIRES
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
20050303SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
20050303SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
20050303STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED. *JB
20050214EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THE REAR SIGNALS WORK PROPERLY, EVEN WHEN A BULB WAS BLOWN OUT. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BELIEVE THAT SIGNAL WORKED PROPERLY, BUT IT NOT. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK *TC
Mileage: 78,000
20050131FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING FUEL GAUGE IS REGISTERING 1/8 TANK OF GAS. HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOP,. BUT NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH OTHER CAVALIER OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM OF THE GAS GAUGE GIVING INACCURATE READINGS. *TC
Mileage: 40,000
20040913SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT LLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 38,000
20040519POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. *AK
20040507ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE'S COOLING SYSTEM EVER SINCE I GOT IT. IT CONSISTENTLY OVER- HEATS, LEAKS COOLANT AND I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FAN. MY CAR FINALLY BROKE DOWN FROM IT AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF MORE DOLLARS TOGET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAVE 2 FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM SO SICK OF TAKING THIS CAR IN FOR PROBLEMS. ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FAN BELT AND PARALLEL PULLIES, WHICH I WAS TOLD BY AAA. *AK
Mileage: 83,334
20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BROKEN ON MY 1994 CAVALIER. THE THIRD TIME THE CHAIN BROKE I HAD TO HAVE THE RODS/PISTONS REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN THE CHAIN BROKE IT BENT THEM.
Mileage: 88,000
20040311SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A NOISE. *AK
20040226SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER A POT HOLE, AND IT FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO COME APART. CONSUMER SMELLED GAS, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND HE REPLACED THE SHOCK TOWERS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. ABOUT SIX WEEKS LATER, CONSUMER FELT SOMETHING DRAGGING. TOOK BACK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SHOCK TOWERS ON THE LEFT SIDE. *AK RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER WAS ALSO REPAIRED. *LA
Mileage: 80,000
Compare 1994CHEVROLETCAVALIER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER have?▼
The 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER has 310 NHTSA complaints, 41 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 44 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1994 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.