My son lost control of a 1991 chevrolet cavalier and was ejected after he was forced off the road. When entering the median, his car was skidding broadside and eventually rolled over three times. As the car rolled, the driver side door opened which defeated the ability of the seat belt to hold him inside because the seat belt design had the shoulder harness anchored to the top of the door/window frame and the lap belt anchored to the bottom of the door.
The worst 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical17
- Engine8
- Seats7
- Brakes5
- Seat belts5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical17
- Engine8
- Seats7
- Brakes5
- Seat belts5
- Steering5
- Visibility5
- Transmission3
- Acceleration2
- Fuel system2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- The front door shoulder belt guide loops may be cracked and are not in compliance with fmvss 208.
- Risk
- The seat occupant faces increased risk of injury in theevent of a sudden stop or accident.
- Remedy
- Install reinforcing plates on the cracked shoulder belt guides.
Recall number 92V003000 · Recall details
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Front door interlock striker may fail, causing door frame collapse and insufficient strength for the shoulder belt anchorage.
- Risk
- The door frame would collapse. Vehicle does not complywith fmvss 210.
- Remedy
- Replace the passive restraint interlock striker studs on front doors.
Recall number 91V165000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
PE93090
Sticking throttle
There is no summary currently available
EA92024
Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 28-32 | 24-25 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 25-26 | 20 |
What 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The first problem I have encountered is the poor body of the car. The panels below the car have completely diminished. Anything remaining of them is either rotting and rusting away, or has paint removed from them. The paint is also coming out of the front plastic bumper and from the front hood of the car. Some rust is also appearing at the sides. When I step into the highway at the speed of a minimum 100 km/h, this trash is anything but quiet. Apart from the engine, which is now broken, the gaskets or whatever keeps the air out doesn't keep it out. Instead, some air comes in and thus making that noise; like having your windows open and getting all that noise of the air. It's no different when closed. The rubber seal of the doors is extremely poor in this regard. My second problem has been the engine. My engine's motor is broken down. No mechanic can fix it. I tried to go through chevrolet and one of their local dealerships. But just the cost of refurbishing my engine would aproximatily add up to $2,500 (might as well buy a new car instead!).
While tightening up the lug nuts on the wheel, pieces of metal sheared off and dropped small pieces of metal on the ground. *ak the lug nuts in question were newly purchased. Part#254 abn 10.9 manufactured by r+b inc. *scc
While driving down 25-35mph vehicle stalled out and died without warning. Dealer replaced fuel pump filter.
No one was injured. I was driving to work and had almost got there when I heard a bang on the side of the car and saw the tread fly off back behind from my drivers side front tire. Tire stayed aired up as I got off the interstate i80, and pulled in the parking lot. I got out to examine the damage. The ground effects on my drivers side were hanging by like one screw. The tire was still aired up but there was no tread left on the tire. It ripped half of my front bumper off dented my front quarter panel and drivers door and ground effects were destroyed. Firestone ,p205/60r15 90s m+s firehawk ss10 my car 1991 chevrolet, z24 cavalier.
Back seat is not connected to the car and rear seat belts are missing.
The rear window of this vehicle blew out as one large piece (with gasket material) and shattered into numerous pieces upon road impact. I suspect that this is very unusual and should be documented with the manufacture & other organizations. Also, if a problem exist with this vehicle, maybe the manufacturer will replace the part.
An '88 blue dodge van (VIN 2b6gb113y3jk56747)crashed into my little girls car the 1991 cavalier. Expert reconstructionist (tx dept. Of public safety) blame my little girl for having ran the stop sign and hitting the van, causing an indirect death of three and the direct death was an abandon utility pole. I do not believe that if the car was to hit the van it would have caused so much damage. My daughter states that she came to a complete stop and proceeded entering the intersection at 6 MPH. How can a small car do so much damage even if it was to have runned the stop sign. I believe that the van hit the car causing the roof of the cavalier to collapse and doing irrepairable damage to my little girls friend. My little girl had multiple contursions to the head when the roof caved in and her ankle had three fractures on her left ankle. There was evidence in the driver side that the bottom side of the door was pinged inward and the roof over her head was caved in. Luckily the two girls survived. Even though one is a vegetable my little girl is not the same and her youth has been stolen by this accident. She has recurring nightmares and a brain contussion that might not go away until all the pressure has been relieved and that is going to take time. Why did the roof collapse injuring both occupants who were wearing seatbelts? Why did they have to use the jaws-of-life to rescue both girls?
While driving a pin within the tilt steering wheel came loose,nearly causing loss of steering control. Please give any further details.
Starter was replaced, and did not fit properly in the vehicle, causing the starter to com eloose/ shake. Bolts need to be replaced.
Compare the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
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Questions about the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
Is the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier, fewer than a typical Cavalier model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Electrical system, with 17 complaints. Next is engine (8).
How many recalls does the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
2 recalls, covering seat belts and structure.
What year does the Chevrolet Cavalier have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Cavalier model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (211 complaints), 2004 (185 complaints) and 1997 (107 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
Official estimates for the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 28-32 highway.
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