Total Complaints
392 filings
CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year
1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
392 NHTSA complaints, 42 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 392 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 42 crashes, 12 fires, 36 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1995 CAVALIER is engine and engine cooling:engine with 57 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (23) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (18). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1995 CAVALIER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
392
Complaints
42
Crashes
12
Fires
36
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
42 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 57 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 23 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 12 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 5 |
Recent Complaints
20141124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO STAY IN THE RUN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,636.
Mileage: 207,636
20110907STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING SEVERELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/29/12 *CN
Mileage: 60,800
20081031ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Mileage: 48,000
20081031ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Mileage: 48,000
20080407ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION AND ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,340 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
20080407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION AND ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,340 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
20070712SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I BOUGHT A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER NEW, IN JULY 1995. I HAD THE FOLLOWING MAJOR REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR. ON 8/97 -ENTIRE EXHAUST FROM CONVERTER BACK BAD BAFFLED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 10/97-SERPENTINE BELT/ROTORS/ALTERNATOR & RECALL ON HAZARD LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. 4/00-HEAD GASKET,SEAL,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT;RECALL ON COVER,SHIELD,RETAINER,SEALANT (DEALER COVERED COSTS UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT. 4/00-EGR VALVE 10/00-ADJUST SERPENTINE BELT;REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT 10/01-REPLACE BACK BRAKE PADS,CLEAN FRONT PADS 05/02-REPLACE FAN BELT & TENSIONER;RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH 06/02-BROKEN FORWARD CLUTCH HOUSING,CLUTCH,GASKETS,FLUID,LEFT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY 07/02-REPLACE BATTERY,BAD CELL DUE TO CAR SITTING FOR SO LONG DURING PREVIOUS REPAIR 12/03-WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT $461.79-50% OF BILL REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET UPON WRITTEN REQUEST 07/03-REAR BRAKES; 08/04-RESISTOR (BLOWER MOTOR, 09/04-ALTERNATOR 07/05-FRONT ROTORS & PADS; 06/06-REAR BRA
Mileage: 72,012
20070712ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER NEW, IN JULY 1995. I HAD THE FOLLOWING MAJOR REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR. ON 8/97 -ENTIRE EXHAUST FROM CONVERTER BACK BAD BAFFLED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 10/97-SERPENTINE BELT/ROTORS/ALTERNATOR & RECALL ON HAZARD LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. 4/00-HEAD GASKET,SEAL,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT;RECALL ON COVER,SHIELD,RETAINER,SEALANT (DEALER COVERED COSTS UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT. 4/00-EGR VALVE 10/00-ADJUST SERPENTINE BELT;REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT 10/01-REPLACE BACK BRAKE PADS,CLEAN FRONT PADS 05/02-REPLACE FAN BELT & TENSIONER;RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH 06/02-BROKEN FORWARD CLUTCH HOUSING,CLUTCH,GASKETS,FLUID,LEFT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY 07/02-REPLACE BATTERY,BAD CELL DUE TO CAR SITTING FOR SO LONG DURING PREVIOUS REPAIR 12/03-WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT $461.79-50% OF BILL REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET UPON WRITTEN REQUEST 07/03-REAR BRAKES; 08/04-RESISTOR (BLOWER MOTOR, 09/04-ALTERNATOR 07/05-FRONT ROTORS & PADS; 06/06-REAR BRA
Mileage: 72,012
20070712STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I BOUGHT A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER NEW, IN JULY 1995. I HAD THE FOLLOWING MAJOR REPAIRS DONE ON THE CAR. ON 8/97 -ENTIRE EXHAUST FROM CONVERTER BACK BAD BAFFLED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 10/97-SERPENTINE BELT/ROTORS/ALTERNATOR & RECALL ON HAZARD LIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. 4/00-HEAD GASKET,SEAL,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT;RECALL ON COVER,SHIELD,RETAINER,SEALANT (DEALER COVERED COSTS UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT. 4/00-EGR VALVE 10/00-ADJUST SERPENTINE BELT;REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT 10/01-REPLACE BACK BRAKE PADS,CLEAN FRONT PADS 05/02-REPLACE FAN BELT & TENSIONER;RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH 06/02-BROKEN FORWARD CLUTCH HOUSING,CLUTCH,GASKETS,FLUID,LEFT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY 07/02-REPLACE BATTERY,BAD CELL DUE TO CAR SITTING FOR SO LONG DURING PREVIOUS REPAIR 12/03-WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT,OIL,FILTER,COOLANT $461.79-50% OF BILL REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET UPON WRITTEN REQUEST 07/03-REAR BRAKES; 08/04-RESISTOR (BLOWER MOTOR, 09/04-ALTERNATOR 07/05-FRONT ROTORS & PADS; 06/06-REAR BRA
Mileage: 72,012
20070521STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE TO THE LINK AND LATCH MOVING OUT OF PLACE (NOT ALIGNED). THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HER TRUNK TO OPEN RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE STRUTS. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 179850.
Mileage: 179,850
20070521FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE TO THE LINK AND LATCH MOVING OUT OF PLACE (NOT ALIGNED). THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HER TRUNK TO OPEN RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE STRUTS. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 179850.
Mileage: 179,850
20070521LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE GAS GAUGE IDLED BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL THE GAUGE IDLED FROM FULL TO A QUARTER THEN BACK TO FULL. IT ALSO IDLED FROM A HALF TANK, QUARTER TANK THEN TO EMPTY. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO CLOSE DUE TO THE LINK AND LATCH MOVING OUT OF PLACE (NOT ALIGNED). THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HER TRUNK TO OPEN RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE STRUTS. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 179850.
Mileage: 179,850
20060622ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER REQUESTED RECALL INFORMATION ON A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. *KB. NAR NO ADDRESS PROVIDED. THE CONSUMER HAD VALVE WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM
20060417ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MASSIVE LEAKS OF COOLANT DUE TO FAULTY GASKET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANT RUNNING THROUGH A BOTTLE OF ANTIFREEZE A DAY B/C OF SAID LEAK. *NM
Mileage: 149,000
20060117FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LOST POWER, WHEN COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB
20051020CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER IN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR ROLLED OVER 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THROWN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
20050207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, INFORMING THE OWNER THAT VEHICLE NEEDED COOLANT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. THEN, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. *AK
20041019CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
20040507ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
IN JANUARY 2004 THE CHECK COOLANT GUAGE WOULD LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY, THEN ON A DAILY BASIS, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR AND HAD ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET BE REPLACED.*AK
Mileage: 82,500
20040401FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FIRE UNDER HOOD - HAD THE RECALL IGNITION WORK DONE ON 09/23/2003 WHILE GETTING THE FIFTH ALTERNATOR REPLACED SINCE MARCH OF 2002. ON 03/28/2004 CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES. FINALLY STARTED, DROVE APPROX. 2 MILES WHEN SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER HOOD, PARKED AND RAISED HOOD, FLAMES. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY EXTINGUISHER. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I READ ABOUT IN THE RECALL NOTICE BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE IGNITION. CALLED DEALER THAT DID THE RECALL WORK WHO STATED HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF A FIRE AFTER THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE.*AK
Mileage: 168,006
Compare 1995CHEVROLETCAVALIER 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 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER have?▼
The 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER has 392 NHTSA complaints, 42 crashes, 12 fires, 36 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 57 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1995 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 vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.