1989 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3; Power Train: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Tires:Sidewall: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 25 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 7; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10008329 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)
WHEN I COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR PUSH MY BRAKES TO A CERTAIN PART DOWN, THE CAR DIES. ALSO ON THE RECALL OF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS COMPUTER DID NOT GO THAT FAR BACK ON THE MODEL THEY WOULD'NT DO IT.THE DEALER WAS KARNES IN SOMERSET KY.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573612 · 2014-03-19 (March 19, 2014)
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN US 95 NORTH IN LAS VEGAS AT 65 MPH, THE IGNITION SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND LEFT ME COASTING WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS IN THE EXIT LANE. BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY AND ENGINE FIRED RIGHT UP AGAIN BEFORE I DECREASED TOO MUCH SPEED THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE 3 YEARS I OWNED THIS CAR. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON RAPART BLVD BETWEEN CHEYENNE AND LAKE MEAD, AGAIN IN LAS VEGAS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC AND INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I …
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966640 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
DRIVER'S SIDE COVER BELOW THE STEERING WHEEL DROPS CAUSING DIFFICULTY BRAKING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969014 · 1995-07-18 (July 18, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE FAILED/LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL ON HIGHWAY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975191 · 1995-11-20 (November 20, 1995)
TILT STEERING FAILURE, THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE TILT STEERING. TT CONSUMER STATES THE TILT STEERING IS CAUSING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505900 · 1996-07-02 (July 2, 1996)
REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505900 at NHTSA ↗