MYRModel Year Report

Chevrolet Cavalier — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 5 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution3 years

Best bets5 years

Complaint history

1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 24 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 43 complaints, Recommended 1990: 55 complaints, Recommended 1991: 56 complaints, Recommended 1992: 137 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 148 complaints, Recommended 1994: 217 complaints, Recommended 1995: 271 complaints, Recommended 1996: 503 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 540 complaints, Avoid 1998: 345 complaints, Caution 1999: 240 complaints, Recommended 2000: 315 complaints, Caution 2001: 243 complaints, Recommended 2002: 196 complaints, Recommended 2003: 678 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 330 complaints, Caution 2005: 287 complaints, Recommended 2003 · 678
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982 1983: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 24 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 43 complaints, Recommended 1990: 55 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 56 complaints, Recommended 1992: 137 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 148 complaints, Recommended 1994: 217 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 271 complaints, Recommended 1996: 503 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 540 complaints, Avoid 1998: 345 complaints, Caution 1998 1999: 240 complaints, Recommended 2000: 315 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 243 complaints, Recommended 2002: 196 complaints, Recommended 2003: 678 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 330 complaints, Caution 2005: 287 complaints, Recommended 2003 · 678
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982 1983: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 18 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 24 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 12 complaints, Not enough data 1988 1989: 43 complaints, Recommended 1990: 55 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 56 complaints, Recommended 1992: 137 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 148 complaints, Recommended 1994: 217 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 271 complaints, Recommended 1996: 503 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 540 complaints, Avoid 1998: 345 complaints, Caution 1998 1999: 240 complaints, Recommended 2000: 315 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 243 complaints, Recommended 2002: 196 complaints, Recommended 2003: 678 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 330 complaints, Caution 2005: 287 complaints, Recommended 2003 · 678
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2005 ● Recommended 287 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2004 ◆ Caution 330 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 678 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ● Recommended 196 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 243 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ◆ Caution 315 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 240 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ◆ Caution 345 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ■ Avoid 540 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1996 ■ Avoid 503 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 271 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ● Recommended 217 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1993 ▲ Recommended 148 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1992 ▲ Recommended 137 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ▲ Recommended 56 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1990 ▲ Recommended 55 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1989 ▲ Recommended 43 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1988 ○ Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987 ○ Not enough data 24 Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986 ○ Not enough data 18 Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1980 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

50

recalls on file across every Chevrolet Cavalier model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Chevrolet models