1989 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
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 | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3; Power Train: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Tires:Sidewall: 2
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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 25 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 | 14 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 7; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10008329 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)
WHEN I COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR PUSH MY BRAKES TO A CERTAIN PART DOWN, THE CAR DIES. ALSO ON THE RECALL OF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS COMPUTER DID NOT GO THAT FAR BACK ON THE MODEL THEY WOULD'NT DO IT.THE DEALER WAS KARNES IN SOMERSET KY.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060474 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
I PURCHASED FOUR FIREHAWK SS20 P215/60R14 RWL TIRES FOR MY 89 CAVALIERZ24 ON 04/19/01 IN JACKSONVILLE FL. AT STORE #005770 OR #018538-THERE ARE TWO NUMBERS. THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED TWICE SINCE THEN. RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY TIRES IS SEPARATING ABOVE THE WHITE LETTERS IN PERFECT BI-SECTION OF THE MOLD OUTLETS(THE LITTLE RUBBER FINGER LIKE THINGIES HA HA). TO ME THIS IS ODD. I WAS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC FOR THE NAVY AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. AS A COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE GONE BY THE SPLITTING HAS BECOME WORSE AND IS STARTING…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,942 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070540 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENTIRE RED CAR BEGAN FADING ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER DELIVERY. DOORS ONLY HAVE LOST ALL PAINT, INTEGRITY OF DOORS IS COMPROMISED DUE TO RESULTING RUST. I CAN LIVE WITH AN AUTO WHICH IS SLOWING FADING IN COLOR:THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE DOORS. BECAUSE IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT IT IS SOLELY BOTH DOORS EXHIBITING THE POOR QUALITIY, THERE HAS TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND/OR MATERIALS INITIALLY. THANKS FOR YOU QUICK ATTENTION TO REMEDY THIS FAULTY CONDITION. I HAVE SEEN OTHER AUTOS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL EXHIBITING THE SAME DEFECT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573612 · 2014-03-19 (March 19, 2014)
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN US 95 NORTH IN LAS VEGAS AT 65 MPH, THE IGNITION SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND LEFT ME COASTING WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS IN THE EXIT LANE. BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY AND ENGINE FIRED RIGHT UP AGAIN BEFORE I DECREASED TOO MUCH SPEED THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE 3 YEARS I OWNED THIS CAR. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON RAPART BLVD BETWEEN CHEYENNE AND LAKE MEAD, AGAIN IN LAS VEGAS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC AND INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I …
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480754 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
CV BOOT MOVED, CAUSING STRAP THAT HOLDS BOOT TO HIT OIL FILTER, RESULTING IN HOLE IN FILTER/OIL TO LEAK OUT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483026 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
GOODYEAR TIRE SIDEWALL FRACTURES, CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484764 · 1995-07-21 (July 21, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485196 · 1995-06-11 (June 11, 1995)
HEATER CORE FAILURE, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK THROUGH HEATER/DEFROSTER SYSTEM, RESULTING IN RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485196 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1988-12-06 (December 6, 1988)
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗