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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier airbags problems

73 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 89,000. 35 crashes reported.

owner complaints
73
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
89,000
crashes
35
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    47
  • Side/window
    3
  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Cavalier airbags problems in other years

1991199520002005

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 17

Related recalls

Air bagsReported June 29, 1998 · 675,302 vehicles affected
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

Related investigations

Oversensitive air bag deploymentsOpened January 23, 1998, closed July 31, 1998

There is no summary currently available

EA98001

Inadvertent air bag deploymentsOpened September 9, 1997, closed January 23, 1998

There is no summary currently available

PE97041

What 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 28, 2017 · Airbags · 89,000 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Sep 26, 2017 · Airbags · 5,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Sep 22, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 195,450 miles · OK · crash

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.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 17,035 miles · CA

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!

Filed Jul 13, 2010 · Airbags · 135,950 miles · IA

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

Filed Mar 6, 2007 · Airbags · GA · crash · 1 injury

Airbags deployed inadvertently while my daughter was driving causing her to hit a tree. Eye witnesses state this as well.

Filed Dec 18, 2006 · Airbags · 160,282 miles · NV · crash · 1 injury

Tl*- the contact has a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. While driving both driver and passenger air bags deployed. The driver injured his arm when air bag deployed and crashed the vehicle. After contacting the dealer, the dealer stated he has no recall records for his vehicle prior to 2003.

Filed Sep 16, 2005 · Airbags · 86,000 miles · OH · 2 injuries

Dt: vehicle was stopped and the air bags deployed on both passenger and driver sides. The air bag light came on and off the day before. An engineer from gm came and stated air bags deployed because of moisture in the car. The windows were down the night before and rain got in the car. There were two people in the vehicle when air bags deployed, the air bags smashed the windshield. Two passengers sustained injuries, bruises. Owner believed was a police report. Gm was notified and determined that air bags deployed because of moisture. No pictures were available. *ak

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Airbags · 184,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

1996 chevrolet cavalier passenger air bag inadvertently deployed striking the consumer's 9 year old son in the face. The vehicle was traveling at 20 MPH.*mr

Filed Jun 3, 2005 · Airbags, Electrical · VA

Consumer experienced problems while having the 1996 chevrolet cavalier recall repairs performed. *mr recall campaign#02v286000. There were problems with the steering mechanism, the ignition and the air bag. *sc the consumer believed that none of the recall repairs were ever made on the vehicle.

Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier airbags

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 73 complaints about the airbags of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 89,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V146000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Cavalier have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Cavalier model years with the most airbags complaints are 1997 (78 complaints), 1996 (73 complaints) and 1998 (34 complaints).

Other 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

Engine 118Electrical 100Brakes 60Transmission 54Steering 49Lights 29Suspension 27Visibility 27Seat belts 21Fuel system 18Acceleration 14Body 13Seats 12Locks 7Tires 7Wheels 4Driver assistance 2

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