MYRModel Year Report

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier

● Typical for this model
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
217
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

35% 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 1991 1992: 137 complaints 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 217 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 1992 1993: 148 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1994 217 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 1994: 217 complaints 1994 217 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

1994: 217 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

35% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

28% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing horn and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle caught fire while parked from engine compartment. Please describe detail. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-05

Seat belts

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver of the vehicle fell asleep at the wheel. The driver became involved in a crash in which the vehicle rolled over six times.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-02

Drivers side shoulder harness/lap seatbelts did retain occupant during frontend collision at 20MPH causing injuries. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-15

This problem of the ABS system malfunctioning started a little over a year ago. I have already spent well over 800 dollars on brake work at several different brake shops. Nobody knew what the problem was until I took it to the last place.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-11

Also filed under Service brakes, air

Power train

9% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Transmission jumped out of gear.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-08-22

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1994-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-09-29 Horn button falling off
  2. R
    1994-05-24Steering94V115000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1994-09-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-03-29 Horn pad falls off
  4. 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

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 60 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V115000 · Steering
  • 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 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, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.