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.
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier: fire, smoke or burning smell
14 of the 345 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 82,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
Headlight switch has failed 3 times in 3 years. Neither low or high beams will work making driving at night unsafe. Switch replaced in october 2004, october 2006 and october 2007. The switch from october 2004 had an electrical burning smell coming from it for the two years it was installed while the headlights were turned on.
No warning of anything wrong, had driven less than 1 mile when trunk caught on fire due to defective wiring.
While driving the consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer stated that problem was pertaining to the antifreeze leaking. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.
Attempting to start the vehicle, smoke came out the ignition and steering column. *ph the vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition system. The dealer also indicated that the battery was bad and replaced it. After the repairs were made the consumer received a recall notice related to the vehicle ignition system. The consumer request reimbursement for all repairs along with reimbursement for other expenses incurred.
The federal safety agency 04v036000\ ignition \switch. While the vehicle was parked on the driveway it caught on fire. The next door neighbor ran and remove the battery from the vehicle. The fire was coming from the driver side dashboard. The local fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer to get the remedy done. The problem with the ignition switch still occurs. Please provide further details.
Intermittently while driving consumer saw blue smoke coming through the under hood. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and mechanic determined nothing was wrong with the vehicle.
While driving at highway speed smoke started coming from under the hood ,then the engine died. When consumer popped the hood, noticed that the engine was on fire. The fire was caused by an electrical failure, per the fire inspector.
Consumer stated the vehicle was parked and shut off. Without warning, the vehicle caught on fire from the steering column. Dealer notified. *ak consumer woke to ignition running. Ignition was in off position with the keys removed. She inserted the key and turned it on and off several times until the engine shut off. Just then smoke was seen coming from under the steering column. Fire dept. Determined fire was the result of something electrical. *ph
On september 3, 2002, I tried starting the car in the morning around 11:15 am. The car did not start after multiple attempts. The car was left in the apartment parking lot. The car door was opened around 2:00 pm and black smoke came out all over from inside the car. There was a fire flame on the dash-board from the hole inside the steering. The car caught on fire as it received oxygen from the wind blowing. Immediately 911 was called. Fire department came down within 5 minutes and blew out the fire. A police complaint was filed. Also we contacted general motors and they inspected the car after the fire. Finally gm accepted full responsibility for the failure after 14 business days. Gm reimbursed our insurance company all the expenses incurred. Dt
Consumer states that steering column caught on fire when key was turned to start position. Vehicle checked by dealer who advised that the internal switch had melted.
After driving vehicle for a short or a long period and when vehicle is parked, there is a burning smell that comes out of the ventilation system. Dealer has been contacted.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Electrical system
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Electrical system
- Product safety recall ignition circuit thermal events
- Ignition circuit thermal events, three phase safety recall 04002
- If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the start position for an extended period,...
- Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code P0140
- Subject regarding revised instrument panel cluster (IPC) replacement
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
14 of 345 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier (4%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
Stalling 20ABS 18Headlights 10Brake failure 8Won't start 7No deployment 6Check engine light 6Engine failure 6Steering lock-up 5Sudden acceleration 5
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