Total Complaints
337 filings
CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year
337 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 337 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 37 crashes, 5 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 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 1999 CAVALIER is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 27 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (19) and air bags:frontal (18). 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 1999 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.
Total Complaints
337 filings
Crashes Reported
37 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 27 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 19 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 11 |
| STEERING | 11 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 8 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 7 |
| SUSPENSION | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 5 |
ENGINE SHAKES WHEN FIRST STARTED N WHEN IDLING, BUT NOT WHEN DRIVING. HOSES N BELTS R NOT IN GOOD SHAPE. NOT SURE ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BUT SEEN ON THIS SITE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE OR WHERE, QUIT A FEW RECALLS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ESPECIALLY SAFETY ONES.
Mileage: 54
ENGINE SHAKES WHEN FIRST STARTED N WHEN IDLING, BUT NOT WHEN DRIVING. HOSES N BELTS R NOT IN GOOD SHAPE. NOT SURE ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BUT SEEN ON THIS SITE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE OR WHERE, QUIT A FEW RECALLS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ESPECIALLY SAFETY ONES.
Mileage: 54
ENGINE SHAKES WHEN FIRST STARTED N WHEN IDLING, BUT NOT WHEN DRIVING. HOSES N BELTS R NOT IN GOOD SHAPE. NOT SURE ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BUT SEEN ON THIS SITE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE OR WHERE, QUIT A FEW RECALLS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ESPECIALLY SAFETY ONES.
Mileage: 54
I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT, SUDDENLY A HISSING NOISE CAME FROM THE CAR.ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE.I WAS ON A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE CITY.I HAD TO ACT IN A SPLIT SECOND AND STEER QUICKLY OFF OF THE NEAREST SIDE RIDE.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP.I HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE STREET IN TIME AND TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND.I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.THE CAR WAS TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE.I BELIEVE IT WAS A FLOODED OUT CAR SOLD TO THE UNSUSPECTITHAT UNSUSPECTING PERSON WAS ME.I GOT SUCKERED OUT OF OVER $2400. I HAVE PAID FOR AT LEAST 2 NEW CARS WITH THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THIS LEMON.BY THE WAY THE SHADY OWNER DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL FOR SCAMMING MY MONEY OUT OF ME.
Mileage: 198,000
I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT, SUDDENLY A HISSING NOISE CAME FROM THE CAR.ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE.I WAS ON A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE CITY.I HAD TO ACT IN A SPLIT SECOND AND STEER QUICKLY OFF OF THE NEAREST SIDE RIDE.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP.I HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE STREET IN TIME AND TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND.I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.THE CAR WAS TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE.I BELIEVE IT WAS A FLOODED OUT CAR SOLD TO THE UNSUSPECTITHAT UNSUSPECTING PERSON WAS ME.I GOT SUCKERED OUT OF OVER $2400. I HAVE PAID FOR AT LEAST 2 NEW CARS WITH THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THIS LEMON.BY THE WAY THE SHADY OWNER DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL FOR SCAMMING MY MONEY OUT OF ME.
Mileage: 198,000
I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT, SUDDENLY A HISSING NOISE CAME FROM THE CAR.ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE.I WAS ON A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE CITY.I HAD TO ACT IN A SPLIT SECOND AND STEER QUICKLY OFF OF THE NEAREST SIDE RIDE.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP.I HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE STREET IN TIME AND TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND.I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.THE CAR WAS TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE.I BELIEVE IT WAS A FLOODED OUT CAR SOLD TO THE UNSUSPECTITHAT UNSUSPECTING PERSON WAS ME.I GOT SUCKERED OUT OF OVER $2400. I HAVE PAID FOR AT LEAST 2 NEW CARS WITH THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THIS LEMON.BY THE WAY THE SHADY OWNER DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE AT ALL FOR SCAMMING MY MONEY OUT OF ME.
Mileage: 198,000
TAKATA RECALL: FUEL GAGE NAS NEVER WORKED SINCE BEING BOUGHT, TURN SIGNALS ( BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT) BARELY WORKED WHEN BOUGHT AND WENT OUT COMPLETLY THE NEXT DAY, POWER STEERING LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND AND CANT TURN WHEEL,SHIFT GEAR LINKAGES WILL ONLY SHIFT MANUALLY UNDER THE HOOD, CAR WILL DIE OR STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE RUNNING UNLESS FOOT IS ALWAYS PUSHING ON GAS, ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY BACKFIRES, AND NOT QUITE SURE IF THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY OR GONE OUT
Mileage: 160,000
TAKATA RECALL: FUEL GAGE NAS NEVER WORKED SINCE BEING BOUGHT, TURN SIGNALS ( BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT) BARELY WORKED WHEN BOUGHT AND WENT OUT COMPLETLY THE NEXT DAY, POWER STEERING LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND AND CANT TURN WHEEL,SHIFT GEAR LINKAGES WILL ONLY SHIFT MANUALLY UNDER THE HOOD, CAR WILL DIE OR STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE RUNNING UNLESS FOOT IS ALWAYS PUSHING ON GAS, ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY BACKFIRES, AND NOT QUITE SURE IF THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY OR GONE OUT
Mileage: 160,000
TAKATA RECALL: FUEL GAGE NAS NEVER WORKED SINCE BEING BOUGHT, TURN SIGNALS ( BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT) BARELY WORKED WHEN BOUGHT AND WENT OUT COMPLETLY THE NEXT DAY, POWER STEERING LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND AND CANT TURN WHEEL,SHIFT GEAR LINKAGES WILL ONLY SHIFT MANUALLY UNDER THE HOOD, CAR WILL DIE OR STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE RUNNING UNLESS FOOT IS ALWAYS PUSHING ON GAS, ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY BACKFIRES, AND NOT QUITE SURE IF THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY OR GONE OUT
Mileage: 160,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
NORMAL DRIVING MY FATHERS CAR THE FRAME BROKE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE JUST PAST THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. LOOKS TO BE METAL FATIGUE. I CAN SEND PICTURES IF NEEDED. *JS
Mileage: 60,183
DRIVING DOWN STREET HEARD A BANG GOT OUT FOUND DRIVER SIDE TIRE HITTING FENDER TOE TRUCK CAME AND SHOULD ME THAT SUB FRAME BROKE TALK TO SEVERAL PEOPLE SAID SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. *TR
Mileage: 89,000
1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE SOMETIMES EMITS WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE VENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ALSO, A SERPENTINE BELT AND FUEL PAN WAS NEEDED.
1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE SOMETIMES EMITS WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE VENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ALSO, A SERPENTINE BELT AND FUEL PAN WAS NEEDED.
1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE SOMETIMES EMITS WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE VENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ALSO, A SERPENTINE BELT AND FUEL PAN WAS NEEDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SLID AND HESITATED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE BRAKES WERE READJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, DRUMS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
Mileage: 176,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE BRAKES WOULD BE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS AND THE ELECTRONIC TRACKING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.
Mileage: 213,000
MY 1999 CHEVY CAVALIER'S FUEL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING OUT OF THE BLUE. IT READS THAT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND DOESN'T DROP. WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED UNTIL MY CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WHILE SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. WE WERE ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY APPROACHING HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC MULTIPLE TIMES, AND WE WERE FORCED TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TO SAFETY. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE DANGED CAR OFF OF THE ROADWAY/INTERSECTION ONCE A PASSERBY STOPPED BEHIND US AND TURNED HIS HAZARD FLASHERS ON. THE NICE GENTLEMAN ALSO GOT OUT OF HIS VEHICLE AND HELPED MY HUSBAND PUSH THE CAR OFF OF THE ROADWAY. THANK GOD FOR GOOD SAMARITANS! THE FUEL GAUGE NEVER LEAVES "FULL". AFTER TALKING TO A DEALER AND SEVERAL AUTO SHOPS, WE DECIDED IT MADE MORE SENSE TO GO BY THE ODOMETER FROM NOW ON, WHICH IS A GIGANTIC INCONVENIENCE. THIS DECISION WAS MADE BASED UPON THE RIDICULOUSLY HIGH COST FOR REPAIR, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT MOST MECHANIC'S
Mileage: 92,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. WHEN THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION FOR ONE HALF MILE UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
THIS A COMPLAINT IDENTICAL TO #10210719 RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS ON A ONE OWNER 1999 CAVALIER. THE CAR HAS 35,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASED. IT BELONGS TO MY 85 YEAR OLD MOTHER. HAD SHE GOTTEN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN TRAVELING ACCORDINGLY AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THIS WOULD HAVE BECOME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS MODEL IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Mileage: 35,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.