1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Owners have filed 748 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. Next are electrical system (15%) and air bags (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 748 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 73 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 65 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 98 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 15 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 26 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 10 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Of the 98 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 64,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 79,000 miles (16 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 73 complaints mention a crash; 10 complaints mention a fire; 65 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier with enough data (418 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
For the last two my 1996 chevy cavalier have problems with stalling when either the air conditioner or heater is on.
While driving straight, dry road condition, vehicle changed lanes and vehicle went out of control, resulting in a crash and injuries. Also vehicle was totaled.
Air bag deployed while daugher was sitting still at the red light. Consumer indicated that air bag deployed prematurely. Consumer stated after air bag deployed, vehicle went foward and struck a van, there were 2 injuries in consumers vehicle, the windshield shattered due to air bag covering on passenger side.
Guess what, here is another problem for my vehicle GM. (another complaint)we've already spent nearly a $1,000, on this car. Now, taking it to the mechanic again, the had spent a hour and a half looking for now what is the fuel pump that had gone bad. I understand that parts in a vehicle have to be maintained. So when we found this out , we really enjoyed your company's "money making" scheme to have the cavaliers, new fuel pump cost around $500.
I have a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. The sub frame on the front has rotted and the lower control arm ripped out and the front wheel was ripped off at highway speeds. GM needs to recall all of these cars to evaluate the condition of these subframes. Repair or buy back if necessary.