1993 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
81,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 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 15 of 81 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 34.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.7% |
| 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 | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 5; Electrical System:Horn: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 4
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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 | 30 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
1995: 30; 1996: 16; 2000: 13; 2001: 8; 2002: 5; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2006: 1; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10082054 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
VARIOUS PROBLEMS REGARDING 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER..ONE COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON NUMEROUS MVOQ FORMS. *MR CONSUMER LOST BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID LINE FAILED. FUEL LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL COMPONENTS OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE FALLING APART. RUST WAS EVIDENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LOWER PART OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY, FROM FRONT WHEEL TO REAR WHEEL. FRONT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY ESOECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK STARTED TO COLLAPSE AND EVENT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087599 · 2004-08-10 (August 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO D INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM COLLAPSED AND WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE HOSE NON METALLIC RECALL 93V121000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 46,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028562 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
NOT A COMPLAINT, EXACTLY, AN INQUIRY: HAS ANYONE LOOKED AT RIGHT KNEE INJURIES, SINCE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS BECAME MANDATORY? I NOTE THAT IT FEELS AS IF, IN AN 'IMPACT', MY KNEE WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THE KEYS.... (OR VICE VERSA) THIS INQUIRY APPLIES TO ANY VEHICLE TYPE/MODEL, THOUGH INTERNAL ERGONOMICS MAY AFFECT OCCURRENCE, IF ANY. VEHICLE DETAILS PROVIDED ONLY TO SATISFY WEB SITE REQUIREMENTS. FEEL FREE TO IGNORE THIS ENQUIRY, IF NON ISSUE... BEST DAVE PIERSON. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659031 · 2014-11-18 (November 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10659031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564521 · 2002-02-28 (February 28, 2002)
WHEN STOPPING WITH ABS FROM HIGHER SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BUCKS, MISSES, AND STALLS OUT, VEHICLE WOULD IMMEDIATELY START UP, BUT WHEN PUT IN DRIVE IT WOULD STALL OUT FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER SENSOR. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718663 · 2000-02-12 (February 12, 2000)
PLEASE CALL FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. MY CAR HAS CONSIDERABLY LOW MILEAGE, I HAVE HAD A FEW OCCASIONS THAT REQUIRED ME TO APPLY THE BRAKE QUICKLY. THE BRAKES SEEM TO LOCK AND CAUSES THE CAR TO JUMP OR LUNGE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A NORMAL PROCESS, SINCE I AM NOT ALL THAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED. NOW MY GEAR SHIFTER BUTTON STICKS AND DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. I AM SOMEWHAT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WITH ONLY 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING A PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504419 · 1996-05-13 (May 13, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552700 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
BATTERY FAILED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959843 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
DOOR LOCKS DRAIN BATTERY, WHILE DRIVING LOCKS WILL MAKE NOISE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013552 · 2002-07-09 (July 9, 2002)
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, THEIR WAS A GAS SMELL AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF.CONTACTED DEALER. FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. REPLACED PART, PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013552 at NHTSA ↗