MYRModel Year Report

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
540
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

21% 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 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1997: 540 complaints 1997 540 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 1995: 271 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1997: 540 complaints 1997 540 1998: 345 complaints 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 1995: 271 complaints 1995 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1997 540 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

1997: 540 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.

Electrical system

21% · 115 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated the engine failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer for diagnosis.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-11

Consumer called complaining about having problem with an electrical fire on the vehicle. Also stated that vehicle was not on when this happened. Dealer was contacted and call the consumer but nothing was done.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-02

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 114 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

16% · 85 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Air bags

15% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags deflated September 9, 2012 while in motion turning a 90 degree bend then braking into road bank on a the side of a country dirt road. An early inspection was handed down from the commonwealth state of Pennsylvania on July, 01, 2016.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-09-08

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when her foot slipped off the brake and caused her to lightly crash into the rear of a preceding vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-02

Consumer was in a accident when the car flipped five times when none of the air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-17

Service brakes

14% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1996-08-29Visibility96V160000 These vehicles were built with an incorrect wiper blade assembly (17" Long instead of 22" Long) on the driver's side. This does not comply with FMVSS No. 104, "Windshield wiping and washing systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct wiper blade assembly and install a correct length wiper blade assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 540 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1997-07-15Wheels97V106000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1997-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-01-23 Inadvertent air bag deployments
  5. I
    1998-01-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-07-31 Oversensitive air bag deployments
  6. R
    1998-03-15Structure98V032000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    1998-08-11Air bags98V146000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1998-12-28Suspension98V319000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2002-01-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-03-15 Fire in steering column area
  10. R
    2002-03-27Electrical system02V070000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2003-01-24Steering02V286000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2003-10-14Defect petitionClosed 2004-01-30 Unintended vehicle acceleration
  13. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2007-03-20Fuel system, gasoline07E015000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 115 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 114 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 85 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V160000 · Visibility
  • Recall 97V106000 · Wheels
  • Recall 98V032000 · Structure
  • Recall 98V146000 · Air bags
  • Recall 98V319000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V070000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 02V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
13 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.