MYRModel Year Report

1993 Chevrolet Cavalier

▲ Better than typical
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:09:38.673Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
148
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 137 complaints 1993: 148 complaints 1993 148 1994: 217 complaints 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 1986 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 137 complaints 1993: 148 complaints 1993 148 1994: 217 complaints 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 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1989 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1993 148 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

1993: 148 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

41% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

35% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-25

Head gasket has leaked for many years. I explained to a mechanic that the gasket was leaking and before I could tell him where he knew exactly the location of the leak. He said that it seems to be common with my type of car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

Electrical system

20% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Ignition switch shuts off when going down the road and when it hits a bump in the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-10

Power train

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

Structure

6% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

FIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1993-08-10Service brakes, hydraulic93V121000 The brake hoses were manufactured incorrectly, and do not comply with FMVSS 106, "Brake hoses."

    Remedy: Replace the right front brake hose assembly on ciera and century models, and both rear brake hoses on Cavalier and sunbird models.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1994-09-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-03-29 Horn pad falls off
  3. R
    1996-03-28Electrical system96I001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. These vehicles were built with insufficient retention of…

    Remedy: Dealers will modify the horn pad retention clips, install horn pad retention brackets to the steering wheel, reinstall the horn pad and assure that the horn pad is properly retained.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 60 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V121000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96I001000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 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.