Transmission failed out of nowhere for no reason no check engine light yes available for inspection
The worst 1998 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.
- Electrical66
- Brakes59
- Engine56
- Steering54
- Airbags34
- Body28
- Lights18
- Transmission16
- Visibility15
- Acceleration14
- Fuel system14
- Locks11
- Suspension11
- Seats9
- Seat belts8
- Wheels4
- Tires3
- Driver assistance1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Stalling 20ABS 18Fire or smoke 14Headlights 10Brake failure 8Won't start 7No deployment 6Check engine light 6Engine failure 6Steering lock-up 5Sudden acceleration 5
Recalls 4
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. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. 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 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.
Recall number 04V036000 · Recall details
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
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with bi-fuel compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles. The cng fuel line and the cng high pressure regulator coolant lines can contact other fuel (gasoline) and brake lines on the vehicle. Abrasion from contact can cause a leak in the brake pipe, fuel pipe, or both.
- Risk
- Abrasion from contact can cause a leak in the brake pipe, fuel pipe, or both. A brake fluid leak could disable a portion of the brake system, causing longer stopping distances. Gasoline leaking from a fuel pipe, in the presence of an ignition source, could cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reposition the cng fuel and coolant pipes and reposition/repair any damaged fuel or brake pipes as necessary.
Recall number 00V053000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened securely resulting in a fracture of the wheel studs.
- Risk
- The wheel could separate from the vehicle. If the vehicle were in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the torque of all wheel nuts and, if necessary, tighten any that may be below required torque.
Recall number 97V219000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 105
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
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1998 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 | 20-21 | 27-31 | 23-25 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 30 | 23-24 |
What 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The starter went out the first week I got it did tires start rubbing the sucks went out making it hard to drive and a second time start rubbing I end up buying three times cuz they got ball real fast the wiring under the engine ripped apart and now it's threw a rod.
The gas gauge is going haywire. It pegs to the "f", and then immediately pegs to the "e", even though the tank is half full. The gauge then jumps around the middle form one side to the other side. It is impossible to tell how much is in the tank. This happens while driving and also while sitting at lights or stop signs.
"takata recall" I have tried to coontact dealships, and am being told my vehicle doesn't "show up"? Yet my car is verified from ( manufacturer recall numbern040002 the federal safety agency recall number04v036.
I heard vibration by the rear drivers side wheel. I inspected the vehicle and noticed I could actually move (wobble) the wheel, it came loose from the frame according to 3 car shops. I even took it to a chevy dealership, it was deemed unsafe to drive. Also the frame is completely corroded, there are parts of the unibody frame that are just missing due to rust and corrosion. The rest of the car is in very good shape, but due to the frame issue its now unsafe to drive and way too expensive to repair. Any recalls on the 1998 cavalier?
The engine started having problems where it didn't want to move and the gas pump kept messing up and the gas needle doesn,t show correct it will say you have a half a tank when you really have a quarter tank, and the throttle sensor is messed up I was on I-4 which is a major highway in orlando in the middle of traffic the was on but loss power and stalled out.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,467.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. While driving at 35 MPH, there was an odor of smoke inside the vehicle. The contact coasted over to the side of the road, lifted the hood, and noticed that the wires from the alternator were on fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle hydroplaned on ice. As a result, the contact crashed into the guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a fractured spine that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the key could not be inserted all the way in the ignition. Also, the contact stated that in order to turn on the vehicle the key needed to be slightly out of the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Compare the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Owners have filed 345 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1.2 times a typical Cavalier model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Electrical system, with 66 complaints, typically around 76,968 miles. Next is brakes (59).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, steering and fuel system, other.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V036000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier range from 23 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 27-31 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history