1986 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
189,654 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 23.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Seats: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10289653 · 2009-10-24 (October 24, 2009)
ON MY 1986 CHEVY CAVALIER Z24 V6 IF THE ENGINE IS OFF OR ON THE DIGITAL DASH THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND SO DOES THE DOME LIGHT IF THE HEAD LIGHT IS PUSH O PANEL OR BOTH.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 189,654 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480591 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481496 · 1995-01-16 (January 16, 1995)
REAR WINDOW CRACKED AND BLEW OUT OF VEHICLE, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484835 · 1995-07-30 (July 30, 1995)
ENGINE OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE (OHIO STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488972 · 1995-10-18 (October 18, 1995)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)*SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489652 · 1995-04-29 (April 29, 1995)
STIFF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, ALSO POWER STEERING RACK/PUMP/HOSE REPLACED. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020461 · 2002-10-09 (October 9, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE HAS CRACK MARKS ALL OVER THE TIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802764 · 1996-09-23 (September 23, 1996)
ERRATIC OPERATION OF DASHBOARD, CONSOLE LOSES PROPER READING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802764 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V056000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1986-04-28 (April 28, 1986)
THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V131000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1986-09-19 (September 19, 1986)
THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗