1992 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 83 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 38.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seats: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 78 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 | 38 |
| 1996 | 19 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 38; 1996: 19; 2000: 6; 2001: 7; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10050083 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
VEHICLE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCKS BROKE FREE OF WHAT REMAINED OF THE WHEEL WELL. *MR *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062304 · 2004-03-16 (March 16, 2004)
MOISTURE COLLECTS INSIDE MY VEHICLE, WHENEVER IT RAINS THERE IS WATER STANDING IN MY FLOOR BOARDS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062742 · 2004-03-21 (March 21, 2004)
I OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY G…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075338 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
I OWN A 1992 CHEV CAVALIER Z-24 AND HAVE BEEN READING HORROR STORIES ABOOT THE EXACT WOES I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE BUYING IT USED IN 1998 WITH ONLY 15K MI ON IT; IT ONLY HAS 30000 ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TO GO WAS THE HEATER CORE AND BELT TENSIONER AND THEN THE COOLANT LEAKS THAT HAS REQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOP TIME. I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE REMOVED TWICE, THE HEADS ONCE - THEY ACCUSED ME OF OVERHEATING AND WARPING THEM - THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, 2 WINDOW MOTORS INSTALLED AND THE ALTENATOR REPLACED. I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE BRAKES - THE ABS …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075730 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091466 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 129,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101990 · 2005-02-07 (February 7, 2005)
THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134734 · 2005-08-30 (August 30, 2005)
BRAKE PEDAL WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING. MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BUT WITHOUT HIM BEING ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO RE-OCCUR, HE CAN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134734 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.
91V166000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991)
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.
Consequence: IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗