1992 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 83 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 38.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seats: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 78 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 | 38 |
| 1996 | 19 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 38; 1996: 19; 2000: 6; 2001: 7; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10075338 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101990 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)
THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075730 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091466 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 129,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755432 · 2001-12-08 (December 8, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755433 · 2001-12-08 (December 8, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN ATTACHED GARAGE FOR THREE HOURS WHEN NOISE WAS HEARD IN GARAGE. WHEN LOOKED IN GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUSHED OUT OF GARAGE. LARGE HOLE IN DASH ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE FIRE CAME OUT, STRONG ORDOR OF BURNT PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 769384 · 2002-11-06 (November 6, 2002)
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP TORQUE CONVERTER WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. VEHICLE STARTS, BUT WILL ABRUPTLY STALL WHEN PLACED IN GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE COOLS, TRANSMISSION OPERATIONAL UNTIL VEHICLE WARMS BACK UP. THIS IS THE 5TH GM VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT EXHIBITS THIS PROBLEM. IT USUALLY OCCURS AT OR NEAR 100,000 MILES. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD IF VEHICLE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AS THERE IS NO WAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD 1 VEHICLE STALL ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. AFTER 5 VE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 769384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507683 · 1996-08-21 (August 21, 1996)
STARTER/HORN/COMPUTER/TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487587 · 1995-09-25 (September 25, 1995)
FUEL INJECTOR FAILED 5 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487587 at NHTSA ↗