Tl* the contact owned a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. While the contact was making a u turn, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head, right shoulder, and left knee. The passenger sustained injuries to the left shoulder. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the air bag failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The worst 1996 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.
- Engine118
- Electrical100
- Airbags73
- Brakes60
- Transmission54
- Steering49
- Lights29
- Suspension27
- Visibility27
- Seat belts21
- Fuel system18
- Acceleration14
- Body13
- Seats12
- Locks7
- Tires7
- Wheels4
- Driver assistance2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
Stalling 33ABS 28No deployment 17Check engine light 17Brake failure 13Fire or smoke 13Loss of power 12Overheating 12Transmission failure 12Won't start 11Engine failure 9Headlights 9Seat belt 9Steering lock-up 9Knocking 7Fuel pump 6Jerking 5Power steering loss 5Pulling 5
Recalls 7
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
- Risk
- If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V070000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
- Risk
- If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
Recall number 98V319000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
- Risk
- Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
Recall number 98V146000 · Recall details
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
- Risk
- The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
Recall number 98V027000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
- What is wrong
- The front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. This fails to comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
Recall number 96V250000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- The accelerator control cable could have been kinked during assembly causing high accelerator pedal effort, sticking accelerator control cable, or a broken accelerator control cable.
- Risk
- If the accelerator control cable sticks or breaks, unwanted acceleration and/or loss of throttle control can result increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
Recall number 95V201000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
Defect investigations
Unintended vehicle acceleration
On september 23, 2003, the federal safety agency received a letter dated september 8, 2003 from mr. Donald friedman, petitioning the agency to open a defect investigation into unintended acceleration involving [model year] 1996 and 1997 general motors j-cars.in support of his petition, mr. Friedman cited a report he received for gm showing it had received far more reports of alleged unintended acceleration for these models than for others.after assessing the data claimed by the petitioner to justify his request, odi found no indication that defect trend related to the petitioner's allegations exists at this time.therefore, there is no reasonable posibility that an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect would be issued as a result of granting mr. Friedman's petition.consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.for additional information concerning this analysis, please refer to the attached federal register notice.
DP03007
Fire in steering column area
PE02001
Oversensitive air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
EA98001
Inadvertent air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
PE97041
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 84
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- ABS pump running when not needed
- 4T40E or 4T45E will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes
1996 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 | 21-22 | 29-33 | 24-26 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 29-30 | 23 |
What 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy during the crash; however, it suddenly deployed while the contact attempted to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained severe whiplash, leg bruises, and head lacerations. Medical attention was required. The contact was treated and released from the hospital under her doctor's supervision. The following day, the doctor determined that the contact's neck was fractured and she was sent to get an mri at the regional hospital. The vehicle was diagnosed by marion chevrolet/cadillac in marion, illinois. The air bag was replaced and the vehicle's body damage was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a stop sign and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,450.
This car shuts off while driving like the gm cars being mentioned in the news today. Started in 2005 and was evaluated by multiple mechanics including a chevrolet dealership that kept it over a month. It doesn't show a code when it happens. It randomly shuts off while you are driving (varied speeds). It also randomly won't start. Totally unpredictable when it will quit on you or not start.resetting did not help.car was purchased for daughter (new driver) to drive, but was too unsafe.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the interior lights would sporadically illuminate. The failure occurred numerous times over the course of sixteen years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis numerous times but the contact was told that there were no failures discovered. The contact eventually removed the interior light fuse to stop the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 98v027000 (interior lighting) but was told that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact also stated that the catalytic converter was replaced six times. The vehicle was not repaired for the interior lighting failure. The failure mileage was 11,000 and the current mileage was 233,163.
There's alot of stuff wrong with this car. It ran good and is reliable when running,but recently stop running.
I replaced the battery on my 1996 chevrolet cavalier 2.4l with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. I had to call a friend to jump me 3 more times before reaching my home which was less than a mile away!
Yes car will turn over but won't start it does this at time or u can press the gas to try and start interior light don't work.
I purchased a 1996 chevy cavalier in 1999 and from the beginning had problems with the check engine light continually on etc. From 1999 to sept 2010 - I took it to several chevy dealers while it was under warranty and they never fixed the problem completely and the lights remained on. I was told to put fuel injection cleaner in it by one car dealer of course that didn't work. Years later and many repairs, engine rebuilt, thermostat replaced, water pumps, fans etc.. Four catalytic converters I still have the same problem - loss of power, car shutting off and leaving me in intersection, freeways etc.. Causing a very dangerous situation, I have over these years become very frustrated the codes read o2 sensors, the cat converter pieces fall apart easily causing very costly repairs because these defective parts clog the air flow causing overheating and loss of power, it should not be this difficult or cost to keep this car in repair order. Cat converters, sensors, head gaskets, seals, water pumps, sticking thermostats etc.. Continually replaced and still the same on going problem with no hope of ever finally fixing this dangerous defective problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. While driving at 30 MPH, the driver side air bag independently deployed. The contact was unable to see the roadway and the passenger had to maintain control of the steering wheel as the vehicle steered of road into a gas station area. Both the passenger and contact exited the vehicle and the front passenger side air bag then independently deployed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,950 and the current mileage was 136,018. Updated 9/13/10 *cn updated 09/15/10
Compare the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
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Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Owners have filed 503 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1.8 times a typical Cavalier model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Engine and cooling, with 118 complaints, typically around 93,309 miles. Next is electrical (100).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
7 recalls, covering steering, electrical system and suspension.
What year does the Chevrolet Cavalier have bad engine?
The Chevrolet Cavalier model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (118 complaints), 1997 (110 complaints) and 1995 (82 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29-33 highway.
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