Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system107
- Engine and engine cooling106
- Steering83
- Air bags78
- Service brakes, hydraulic58
- Visibility40
- Suspension27
- Unknown or other26
- Power train26
- Structure20
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 78 injuries and 5 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 7 1997 Cavalier vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 7 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier failed the safety check 3.22% of the time — 101% more often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 108,749 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 9.6–10.6 L/100 km (about 22–25 mpg US), CO₂ 221–244 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 7.3 | 9.6 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.0 | 10.4 |
| Cavalier · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.6 | 10.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| 2003162 24 Jun 2003 | Airbag Certain vehicles, after being exposed to substantial amounts of water, may experience deployment of either the driver or passenger front airbag without a crash.… |
| 2002199 5 Nov 2002 | Steering On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between Janua… |
| 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… |
| 1998247 22 Dec 1998 | Suspension Certain vehicles may have a condition which could result in one of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts breaking. If this were to occur while the vehicle was… |
| 1998136 15 Jul 1998 | Seats And Restraints BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S COMPUTER, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES TH… |
| 1998039 18 Mar 1998 | Structure THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 214 - SIDE DOOR STRENGTH. THERE MAY BE MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFOR… |
| 1997125 26 Jun 1997 | Suspension THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 110 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH RI… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
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 AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
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 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
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 RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
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."
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 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634877 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING ISSUED TO REVISE THE FRONT SUSPENSION FASTNER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS.*TT |
| 634803 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A CLUNK TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING A TURNING MANEUVER. *TT |
| 628890 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON LEAKAGE OF A FEW DROPS OF COOLANT AFTER PARKING THEIR VEHICLE. *TT |
| 628094 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK TYPE NOISE ESPECIALLY FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. *TT |
| 628092 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK TYPE NOISE WHILE TURNING, ESPECIALLY FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 628053 | CUSTOMER CONCERN OF PREMATURE FOG LAMP FAILURE. *TT |
| 627673 | INFORMATION REGARDING CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE DURING TURNING. *YH *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 |
| 618179 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING CLUNK OR BUMP NOISE USUALLY HEARD WHEN TURNING EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLE WITH THE CAR IN PARK OR MOVING SLOWLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED FROM STOP TO STOP. *TT |
| 618119 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DURING TURNING MANEUVERS OR STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. *JB |
| 618086 | CONCERNS WITH CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE TURNING MANEUVER / STEERING WHEEL ROTATION.*JB (LUBRICATE OR REPLACE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS APPROPRIATE). UPDATED 10/05/07. *NJ UPDATED 4/1/08. *NJ UPDATED 7/1/2008 *PE |
| 615114 | PRODUCT RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS ON VEHICLES HAVING A CONDITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS BREAKING. *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 |
| 613590 | INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR |
| 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 |
| 608380 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A ENGINE / TRANSMISSION WHINE AT 2800 - 32000 RPM. *TT |
| 608373 | CONCERNS WITH THE LEFT HAND MANUAL MIRROR NOT ADJUSTING WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER IS MOVED. *TT |
| 607989 | SUBJECT REGARDING REQUEST FOR CUSTOMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES WHICH HAVE A FRONT BRAKE SQUEAK / SQUEAL NOISE COMPLAINT. *TT |
| 607580 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO FRONT AND / OR REAR STABILIZER SHAFT SQUAWK / SQUEAK NOISE. *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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation