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U.S. public vehicle records

1986 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

189,654 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior323.1%
Electrical and battery issues17.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
Electrical System
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Seats
1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
Steering:Rack And Pinion
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline3
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash2
Electrical System1
Electrical System:Wiring1
Seats1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar1
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System1
Steering:Rack And Pinion1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Seats: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
9
1996
1
2001
1
2002
1
2009
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19959
19961
20011
20021
20091

1995: 9; 1996: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2009: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 489652 · 1995-04-29 (April 29, 1995)

STIFF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, ALSO POWER STEERING RACK/PUMP/HOSE REPLACED. *AW

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489652 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 879969 · 2001-02-06 (February 6, 2001)

ADJUSTED STEERING COLUMN IS COMING LOOSE AT COLLAPSE/HINGE AREA DUE TO LOOSENESS OF BOLTS. THIS CAUSES MECHANISM NOT TO WORK PROPERLY ON STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 879969 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 480591 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)

ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SKD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480591 at NHTSA ↗