1991 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
112,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 31 complaints (6.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Seats: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 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 | 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). 28 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 13; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10033496 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
NO ONE WAS INJURED. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD ALMOST GOT THERE WHEN I HEARD A BANG ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND SAW THE TREAD FLY OFF BACK BEHIND FROM MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. TIRE STAYED AIRED UP AS I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE I80, AND PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT. I GOT OUT TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. THE GROUND EFFECTS ON MY DRIVERS SIDE WERE HANGING BY LIKE ONE SCREW. THE TIRE WAS STILL AIRED UP BUT THERE WAS NO TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. IT RIPPED HALF OF MY FRONT BUMPER OFF DENTED MY FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND DRIVERS DOOR AND GROUND EFFECTS WERE DES…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034494 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN 25-35MPH VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP FILTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041855 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
WHILE TIGHTENING UP THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEEL, PIECES OF METAL SHEARED OFF AND DROPPED SMALL PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND. *AK THE LUG NUTS IN QUESTION WERE NEWLY PURCHASED. PART#254 ABN 10.9 MANUFACTURED BY R+B INC. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071378 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IS THE POOR BODY OF THE CAR. THE PANELS BELOW THE CAR HAVE COMPLETELY DIMINISHED. ANYTHING REMAINING OF THEM IS EITHER ROTTING AND RUSTING AWAY, OR HAS PAINT REMOVED FROM THEM. THE PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER AND FROM THE FRONT HOOD OF THE CAR. SOME RUST IS ALSO APPEARING AT THE SIDES. WHEN I STEP INTO THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF A MINIMUM 100 KM/H, THIS TRASH IS ANYTHING BUT QUIET. APART FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH IS NOW BROKEN, THE GASKETS OR WHATEVER KEEPS THE AIR OUT DOESN'T KEEP IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109852 · 2005-02-04 (February 4, 2005)
MY SON LOST CONTROL OF A 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND WAS EJECTED AFTER HE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENTERING THE MEDIAN, HIS CAR WAS SKIDDING BROADSIDE AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. AS THE CAR ROLLED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHICH DEFEATED THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT BELT TO HOLD HIM INSIDE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT DESIGN HAD THE SHOULDER HARNESS ANCHORED TO THE TOP OF THE DOOR/WINDOW FRAME AND THE LAP BELT ANCHORED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488274 · 1995-04-04 (April 4, 1995)
BRAKES REPLACED 5 TIMES. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500057 · 1996-01-01 (January 1, 1996)
BRAKE PADS SEEM TO BREAK WHEN THEY GET VERY HOT. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505631 · 1996-06-20 (June 20, 1996)
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DURING ACCIDENT/EJECTING DRIVER FROM VEHICLE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505631 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.
91V165000 · Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991)
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Consequence: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V003000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1992-01-10 (January 10, 1992)
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗