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U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

86,394 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior430.8%
Transmission and shifting17.7%

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.

Steering:Rack And Pinion
4
Seat Belts
2
Tires
2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering:Rack And Pinion4
Seat Belts2
Tires2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission1
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage1
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly1
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar1

Steering:Rack And Pinion: 4; Seat Belts: 2; Tires: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
1
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 25,0001
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: 1; 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

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 11 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
6
1996
4
2000
1
2003
1
2004
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
19964
20001
20031
20041

1995: 6; 1996: 4; 2000: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1

Pattern summary

Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 501934 · 1996-02-25 (February 25, 1996)

POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501934 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 965163 · 1995-05-10 (May 10, 1995)

STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN TO LEFT DURING LOW RPM ORV AT LOW SPEEDS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965163 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 960686 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)

TRANSMISSION STICKS IN GEAR. CAUSING AN INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960686 at NHTSA ↗