1999 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
212 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 65 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 18 of 212 complaints (8.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 25.5% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 14.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 6.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 3.3% |
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 | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Electrical System: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Steering: 11; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 10
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 147 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 42 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 42; 2001: 42; 2002: 21; 2003: 34; 2004: 24; 2005: 15; 2006: 7; 2007: 7; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 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 10000229 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
WHEN DRIVING CAR IT FEELS LIKE WHOLE FRONT END IS FALLING OUT. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND WOBBLES
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000772 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
MY CAR IS A 1999 CAV AND THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR FADED ALREADY!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001928 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003394 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND IT HAS QUIT AGAIN. JUST WONDERING IF THEY HAVE REPLACED THIS MOTOR WITH A NEW ONE EACH TIME OR A REMANUFACTURED ONE. IF IT WAS NEW IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE PRODUCT? SHOUDN'T A FAILED PART UNDER WARRANTY BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PART?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004547 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING 72 MPH ENGINE BLEWOUT WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER, TECHNICIAN NOTICED EXHAUST BLEW INTO COOLANT SYSTEM WHICH BLEW THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDER FURTHER INFORMATION. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005149 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT ON MY 2 CAVALIERS CHECKED FOR NEW ONES AND DIDN'T NEED
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005486 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
HEADLIGHT FAILURE, NOT BULB. CALLED DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM, THAT IT IS VERY COMMON ON 1999 CHEVY CAVALIERS (WHAT I HAVE), BUT REFUSED TO WARRANTY IT. IF IT IS SO COMMON THAT THE HARNESS FAILS WHY DOES CHEVY NOT RECALL IT?
Owner-reported narrative. 38,744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005608 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LINKED TO THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING, IN A STEADY DRIP, FUEL. EITHER O RINGS WERE FAILING OR REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE OR FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005608 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.
04V036000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V218000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1999-08-11 (August 11, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗