Chevrolet Cavalier years to avoid
More than twice the Cavalier's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Chevrolet Cavalier years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Chevrolet Cavalier complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Chevrolet Cavalier problems
All model years combined.
- Electrical1,149
- Engine728
- Brakes616
- Fuel system609
- Steering381
- Airbags327
- Transmission302
- Visibility288
- Lights215
- Body195
- Suspension182
- Acceleration174
Chevrolet Cavalier problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 75 | 287 | Electrical | 67,000 | 0 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 70 | 330 | Electrical | 52,000 | 1 | 17 | |
| 2003 | 44 | 678 | Fuel system | 63,000 | 1 | 31 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 76 | 196 | Electrical | 53,906 | 0 | 24 | |
| 2001 | 75 | 243 | Electrical | 50,500 | 1 | 23 | |
| 2000 | - | 315 | Electrical | 59,000 | 2 | 25 | |
| 1999 | - | 240 | Brakes | 64,000 | 2 | 27 | |
| 1998 | - | 345 | Electrical | 82,525 | 4 | 36 | |
| 1997 | - | 540 | Engine | 84,197 | 7 | 70 | |
| 1996 | - | 503 | Engine | 89,000 | 7 | 58 | |
| 1995 | - | 270 | Engine | 82,500 | 4 | 32 | |
| 1994 | - | 212 | Brakes | 95,000 | 1 | 28 | |
| 1993 | - | 146 | Brakes | 1 | 12 | ||
| 1992 | - | 134 | Brakes | 120,000 | 1 | 15 | |
| 1991 | - | 55 | Electrical | 2 | 7 | ||
| 1990 | - | 55 | Electrical | 0 | 2 |
Recalls 24
Questions about the Chevrolet Cavalier
What years of the Chevrolet Cavalier should you avoid?
2003. It has more than twice the Chevrolet Cavalier's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2003 alone has 678, mostly about fuel system and electrical.
What is the best year for a used Chevrolet Cavalier?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Cavalier?
Electrical, with 1,149 complaints across all years, followed by engine (728) and brakes (616).
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cavalier have?
24 recalls between 1990 and 2005. The 1997 model year has the most, with 7.
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