MYRModel Year Report

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier

● Typical for this model
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cavalier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 134 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 212 complaints 1994 1995: 270 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints 2005
1994: 212 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199155
1992134
1993146
1994212
1995270
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 20%

20% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SKIDDED NO RESPONSE FROM THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950222

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 35 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19940523 — PE (closed 19940929)

HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF

R 19940524 — steering

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-H

Campaign 94V115000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940929 — EA (closed 19960329)

HORN PAD FALLS OFF

R 19960328 — electrical system

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 THE

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.

Campaign 96I001000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 94V115000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96I001000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 1997 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.