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1991 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Cavalier model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
55
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
3
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20-25mpg

The worst 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    17
  • Engine
    8
  • Seats
    7
  • Brakes
    5
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Visibility
    5
  • Transmission
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Seat beltsReported January 10, 1992 · 347,866 vehicles affected
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 attachmentsReported September 23, 1991 · 41,718 vehicles affected
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 firesOpened October 8, 1993, closed February 28, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE93090

Sticking throttleOpened June 26, 1992, closed January 31, 1994

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.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD2128-3224-25
3.1L 6‑cylFWD17-1825-2620

What 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 4, 2005 · Seat belts · MI · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Engine · 90,000 miles · UN

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!).

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Wheels · 112,000 miles · IL

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

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Fuel system · PA

While driving down 25-35mph vehicle stalled out and died without warning. Dealer replaced fuel pump filter.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Tires · 115,000 miles · IA

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.

Filed Feb 24, 2001 · Seat belts, Seats · MO

Back seat is not connected to the car and rear seat belts are missing.

Filed Aug 15, 2000 · Visibility · TX

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2000 · Steering · TX · crash · 2 injuries

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?

Filed Oct 26, 1999 · Steering · FL

While driving a pin within the tilt steering wheel came loose,nearly causing loss of steering control. Please give any further details.

Filed Sep 27, 1999 · Electrical · CA

Starter was replaced, and did not fit properly in the vehicle, causing the starter to com eloose/ shake. Bolts need to be replaced.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier before you buy

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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