1990 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
173,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 42 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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:Front Underhood | 8 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 8; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 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 | 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 40 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 | 15 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 15; 1996: 13; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10031500 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE STARTER AND THE USE OF A STARTER NOT DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE.*MR *TS. THE STARTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FROM THE AUTO STORE WAS SAID TO BE INCOMPATIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WORKED FINE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140939 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST A CRETIN POINT THE RIM HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT INTO THIS 45 DEGREE DEFLECTION AND SLICES INTO THE TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. 3. I CALLED DUNLOP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TALK DOWN TO IN A CONDESCENDING MANOR, HIT A DEAD END THERE! *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148689 · 2006-06-01 (June 1, 2006)
1990 CAVALIER GEAR SHIFT MOVED TO NEUTRAL WHEN TOUCHED BY CONSUMERS LEG. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S SON'S LEG TOUCHED THE GEAR SHIFT AND CAUSED IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660986 · 2014-11-25 (November 25, 2014)
KNOCKING AT START UP FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE PADS THE PINS WOULDN'T MOVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. HAD TO COMPRESS THE PINS LOOSE WITH A C-CLAMP. ALSO, I'VE GOT SOME KIND OF LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT'S A COMBINATION OF ANTIFREEZE & OIL. WHICH I THINK IS CAUSED FROM THE KNOCKING SOUND. MY BRAKE LIGHT & AN EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT SHOWS ON MY DASHBOARD SOMETIMES. MY FUEL MONITOR GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW THE EXACT AMOUNT IN TANK. COULD THE LISTED RECALL CAUSE MY CAR. TO RUNS OUT OF GAS AT QUARTER TANK OF GAS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 250,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478085 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
COMPUTER FAILED TWICE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481259 · 1995-02-12 (February 12, 1995)
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RUBS AGAINST BELT COVER, CAUSING BELT TO FRAY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483943 · 1995-09-14 (September 14, 1995)
SEAT BELT FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488782 · 1995-09-28 (September 28, 1995)
ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488782 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.