Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling82
- Electrical system59
- Visibility32
- Service brakes, hydraulic25
- Air bags20
- Steering19
- Power train17
- Suspension13
- Seat belts11
- Structure9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 27 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 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1995 passenger car (1.29%). Median odometer at inspection: 103,800 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.6–11.3 L/100 km (about 21–25 mpg US), CO₂ 221–260 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 7.3 | 9.6 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 8.3 | 10.0 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 8.8 | 11.0 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 8.6 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| 2002041 6 Mar 2002 | Electrical 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 throu… |
| 2000109 28 Apr 2000 | Engine Note: Certain 1997-99 vehicles in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces and 1995-99 vehicles in all other provinces and territories. Moisture may enter t… |
| 1999016 15 Feb 1999 | Engine On certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, Moisture entering the Powertrain Control Mod… |
| 1996208 30 Dec 1996 | Lights And Instruments THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (F… |
| 1995023 16 Feb 1995 | Suspension THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS OMITTED FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON EXIS… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
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 EQUIPMENT."
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
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 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 628053 | CUSTOMER CONCERN OF PREMATURE FOG LAMP FAILURE. *TT |
| 622716 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) REPLACEMENT. NLM |
| 619370 | OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT |
| 619039 | THIS MESSAGE CONCERNS VEHICLES EXHIBITING A CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CUSTOMERS MAY STATE THAT A CLUNK NOISE IS HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 615097 | GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2 LITER ENGINES MAY DEVELOP A FAILURE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEADING TO EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAKS FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET TO ENGINE BLOCK JOINT. *TT |
| 614376 | EXPERIENCING A RATTLE / SQUEAK IN RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL OR RIGHT FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL SCRATCHED OR RIGHT SIDE END OF INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTACTING DOOR TRIM PANEL. *TT |
| 613596 | SUBJECT REGARDING ADDTIONAL INFORMATION FOR SPECIAL POLICY 98054 - COOLANT LOSS, VISIBLE COOLANT LEAKAGE, OR COOLANT ODOR. **MR |
| 613594 | VOLUNTARY EMISSION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING VEHICLES EXHIBITING SYMPTONS RESULTING IN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. **MR |
| 613590 | INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR |
| 612668 | VEHICLES EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS RESULTING IN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH (INSPECTION, CLEAN/REPLACE AND SEAL PCM, AND INSTALL PROTECTIVE PCM SHIELD ASSEMBLY). *MJS |
| 612655 | INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL CORRECTIONS FROM PRIVIOUS CAMPAIGN 99088, CONDITIONS THAT CONCERN ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. MJS |
| 611973 | GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY EMISSION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING VEHICLES EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS RESULTING IN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. *TT |
| 609730 | CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER SHOWS WEAR OR PERMANENT DAMAGE IN VARIOUS AREAS. YD |
| 6089996 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT |
| 6088948 | ON SOME CONVERTIBLE MODELS, THE DOOR RATTLES WHEN CLOSING. *TT |
| 608373 | CONCERNS WITH THE LEFT HAND MANUAL MIRROR NOT ADJUSTING WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER IS MOVED. *TT |
| 607607 | SOME VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP A FAILURE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEADING TO EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAKS. *TT |
| 606701 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT PLASTIC COVER WILL NOT STAY SNAPPED IN PLACE ON COUPE MODELS ONLY. *TT |
| 606544 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS A BULGE IN THE MATERIAL ON THE TOP BACKSIDE OF EITHER FRONT BUCKET SEAT. *TT |
| 606062 | CONDITIONS WITH WATER LEAK AT FRONT HEADER. *TT |
| 603835 | COMMENTS THAT A METALLIC NOISE OR COLD RAP HEARD ON COLD EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 603613 | SOME VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP A FAILURE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEADING TO EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAKS FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET TO ENGINE BLOCK JOINT. *YC |
| 603090 | REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) LID LATCH DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK / OPEN. *YC |
| 602773 | A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DOOR(S) WHEN THE DOOR WINDOW GLASS IS LOWERED. *YC |
| 601911 | COMMENTS THAT A METALLIC NOISE ON COLD EXHAUST SYSTEMS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation