1990 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
173,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 42 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 8 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 8; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 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 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
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: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 40 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 | 15 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 15; 1996: 13; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 8005144 · 2002-03-07 (March 7, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802169 · 1996-09-10 (September 10, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 55MPH, EXPERIENCED LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, CAUSED WHEN BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504215 · 1996-04-30 (April 30, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508316 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148689 · 2006-06-01 (June 1, 2006)
1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962273 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER SURGING A FEW INCHES FORWARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660986 · 2014-11-25 (November 25, 2014)
KNOCKING AT START UP FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PADS THE PINS WOULDN'T MOVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. HAD TO COMPRESS THE PINS LOOSE WITH A C-CLAMP. ALSO, I'VE GOT SOME KIND OF LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT'S A COMBINATION OF ANTIFREEZE & OIL. WHICH I THINK IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOCKING SOUND. MY BRAKE LIGHT & AN EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT SHOWS ON MY DASHBOARD SOMETIMES. MY FUEL MONITOR GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE EXACT AMOUNT IN TANK. COULD THE LISTED RECALL CAUSE MY CAR. TO RUNS OUT OF GAS AT QUARTER TANK OF GAS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 250,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978403 · 1996-01-30 (January 30, 1996)
THE FUEL TANK LEAKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978403 at NHTSA ↗