Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Electrical system6
- Structure5
- Power train5
- Steering5
- Seat belts4
- Visibility4
- Latches/locks/linkages3
- Tires3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier failed the safety check 0.99% of the time — 22% more often than the average 1989 passenger car (0.81%). Median odometer at inspection: 92,316 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| 1989011 20 Jan 1989 | Fuel System SMALL CREASES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED AND THERE IS AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGN… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 613590 | INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STICKING THROTTLE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation