1983 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1983 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
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:Gasoline | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve): 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 1
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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 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 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 483387 · 1995-08-25 (August 25, 1995)
ENGINE LEAKS OIL ON BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDALS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552204 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC OVERFLOW TANK WAS MELTED AND THE PLASTIC CAP MELTED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552204 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
82V096000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
Reported: 1982-10-07 (October 7, 1982)
POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Remedy: THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V042000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
Reported: 1983-04-19 (April 19, 1983)
THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY, MAY COME LOOSE AT ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS IS DUE TO POSSIBLE INADEQUATE WELDING OF THE BRACKET.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Differential Proportional Valve
Reported: 1983-10-13 (October 13, 1983)
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V079000 · Seats
Reported: 1987-05-07 (May 7, 1987)
THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V165000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Reported: 1987-10-26 (October 26, 1987)
INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗