1998 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical system problems
Owners reported electrical system problems in 76 complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 16% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 76 16% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 77,000 miles 23 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 23 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 77,000 miles, and 17% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 10 fires.
What owners wrote
The cavalier was driven to work by my daughter on 11-09-98. She parked the car and locked it and went to work at the after school day care for the ymca. About 5 minutes later, a parent entered and asked who owned the cavalier because smoke was coming from it's engine. By the time my daughter ran outside the car had burst into flames. The school custodians tried to put the fire out with fire extinguishers but they were only successful in putting out the flames that ran from my car to 2 others.
Consumer received recall concerning ignition switch failure. The dealer performed the recall repairs, but before the consumer could get home, the vehicle was having problems. The engine light had also illuminated. The consumer had problems starting the vehicle before the she received the recall. The consumer continued to have problems with the vehicle after the recall was performed, the dealer continued to tell the consumer that they did their part and anything further would cost the consumer.
Other problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
- Brakes 68 complaints
- Steering 57 complaints
- Engine 49 complaints
- Air bags 35 complaints
- Body & structure 31 complaints
- Lighting 20 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 16 complaints
- Fuel system 15 complaints