MYRModel Year Report

1987 Chevrolet Cavalier

○ Not enough data
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:44.888Z

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
24

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1987

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1987 24 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1997: 540 complaints 1997 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2003 2004: 330 complaints 2005: 287 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1987 24 1988: 12 complaints 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 137 complaints 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1998 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2002 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 24 complaints 1987 24 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1989 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1994 1995: 271 complaints 1995 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1997 1998: 345 complaints 1998 1999: 240 complaints 1999 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2001 2002: 196 complaints 2002 2003: 678 complaints 2003 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints 2005

1987: 24 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199156
1992137
1993148
1994217
1995271
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

Known problem areas

Only 24 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

7 of 24 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Seat belt failed during vehicle rollover, causing injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-31

Driver lost control of vehicle and crashed into a tree, the seat belt did not restrain him in the seat*ak consumer's son was drving on a gravel road and he came over ah hill and caught the pile of gravel and lost control of vehicle, whic then turned...

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-17

Steering

6 of 24 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing rack and pinion and steering wheel/handle bar.

Vehicle speed control

3 of 24 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cables.

Tires

2 of 24 total reports mention: tires.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer has been experiencing constant blowouts and flats with the tires. One incident LED to the vehicle slamming into a street curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-23

I was traveling home from work yesterday evening. I was doing between 35 - 40 MPH. All of a sudden I heard a loud noise. I pulled over to check my tires for a flat or see if something was hanging below my car. No flat, nothing hanging.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-10

Service brakes

2 of 24 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-09-18Parking brake86V128000 Parking brake lever mechanisms may not properly engage when applied as required by FMVSS 105.

    Remedy: Replace parking brake lever assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1987-02-19Vehicle speed control87V011000 Accelerator control cable may contain water which could freeze while vehicle is parked causing travel of accelerator control cable to become restricted when throttle is initially opened.

    Remedy: Replace accelerator control cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1988-07-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-01-17 Poor braking
  4. I
    1989-01-17Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-08 Brake ineffectiveness
  5. I
    1990-08-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-03-30 Brake performance
  6. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  7. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1987 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V128000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 87V011000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.