1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
This year had more than double the complaints 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 18 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1989 | 43 |
| 1990 | 55 |
| 1991 | 55 |
| 1992 | 134 |
| 1993 | 146 |
| 1994 | 212 |
| 1995 | 270 |
| 1996 | 503 |
| 1997 | 540 |
| 1998 | 345 |
| 1999 | 240 |
| 2000 | 315 |
| 2001 | 243 |
| 2002 | 196 |
| 2003 | 678 |
| 2004 | 330 |
| 2005 | 287 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
9% of complaints: air bags — 47 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030414
DRIVING VEHICLE, RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, HIT STRAIGHT ON (FRONT), AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960624
UPON FRONTAL COLLISION, AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY W/ESTIMATED SPEED 40 MPH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960422
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 45 distinct reports on file.
CRASH8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 40 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY6% of complaints: power train — 32 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 95V201000 — check if this car was fixed
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQ
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Campaign 96V250000 — check if this car was fixed
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Campaign 98V027000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN A
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
Campaign 98V146000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
Campaign 98V319000 — check if this car was fixed
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
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 P
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN
Campaign 02V070000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS
Campaign 02V286000 — check if this car was fixed
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE N
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERS
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Campaign 07E015000 — check if this car was fixed
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOL
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (47 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (45 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 95V201000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V250000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V027000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V146000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V319000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V286000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
13 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.