The 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,627,795 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY, MAY COME LOOSE AT ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS IS DUE TO POSSIBLE INADEQUATE WELDING OF THE BRACKET.
DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST.
POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The engine overheated and flames began to come from under the hood, the plastic overflow tank was melted and the plastic cap melted. (ohio traffic crash report) nlm”
“#2 piston broke between oil ring slot and compression ring slot causing engine failure.”
“Engine leaks oil on brake/accelerator pedals. *sd”
“Sudden acceleration, causing accident. *sd”
“Accelerator pedal sticks. *sd”
“Ignition wire replaced. *sd”
“Plastic valve melted/lodged against the throttle plate, causing loss of accelerator control prior to recall, recall repairs refused.”
“Ecm replaced due to stalling. *sd”
POWER STEERING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK…
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ANALYSIS:STATUS: GM RESPONDED BY LETTER DATED 12 FEBRUARY 1987.EA CLOSED ON8/7/87.===
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.