1988 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
82,435 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 8 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10064146 · 2004-03-30 (March 30, 2004)
PURCHASED A 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM E[ILOTOS AUTO SALES 2230 FRANKFORT AVE. PHILA. PA. THE CAR WAS SOLD WITHOUT THE DEALER INFORMING THE BUYER OF THE DEFECTS. THERE WERE MANY....TWO MAIN CRUNCHERS WERE THE BRAKES AND HUDDLED SYSTEMS. THE EMISSION STICKERS WERE DUE. THE DEALER SAID,"HE WOULD PUT STICKERS ON AFTER THE SALE," WHICH WHEN THE TIME ARRIVED FOR THE TRANSACTION,HE SAID,"WE COULD BUT THEY'RE HOT." NOW WE ARER HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A GARAGE TO PUT STICKERS ON IT BECAUSE OF THE MECHANICAL DEFECTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065819 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
WINDSHIELD BONDING DOES NOT MEET FMVSS 212, 1988, CHEVROLET CAVALIER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 88V121000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 64,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141367 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS WIND BLOWING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANTS, ALLOWING COLD DRAFTS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 88V121000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488167 · 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507486 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
SUSPENSION/BODY PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECKED BEFORE DRIVER PURCHASED IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 760989 · 2002-04-21 (April 21, 2002)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961934 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)
WAS DRIVING THE CAR CAME TO A STOP LIGHT PUT ON BRAKE IT FEEL LIKE CAR IS ALREADY TO GO. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965196 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN FRONT DASH, ELECTRICAL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965196 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.
88V095000 · Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
Reported: 1988-06-14 (June 14, 1988)
REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.
Consequence: LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V121000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 1988-07-25 (July 25, 1988)
THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.
Consequence: WINDSHIELD COULD SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIERTEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212. SUCH SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT INAN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND INJURIED.
Remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗