The 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 389,584 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS92V0030001992-01-10347,866 affected
Defect
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence
THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
STRUCTURE91V1650001991-09-2341,718 affected
Defect
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Consequence
THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy
REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
SEATS
5
1crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
1crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2
Total complaints77
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My son lost control of a 1991 chevrolet cavalier and was ejected after he was forced off the road. When entering the median, his car was skidding broadside and eventually rolled over three times. As the car rolled, the driver side door opened which defeated the ability of the seat belt to hold him…”
“While tightening up the lug nuts on the wheel, pieces of metal sheared off and dropped small pieces of metal on the ground. *ak the lug nuts in question were newly purchased. Part#254 abn 10.9 manufactured by r+b inc. *scc *jb”
“The first problem I have encountered is the poor body of the car. The panels below the car have completely diminished. Anything remaining of them is either rotting and rusting away, or has paint removed from them. The paint is also coming out of the front plastic bumper and from the front hood of…”
“The first problem I have encountered is the poor body of the car. The panels below the car have completely diminished. Anything remaining of them is either rotting and rusting away, or has paint removed from them. The paint is also coming out of the front plastic bumper and from the front hood of…”
“The first problem I have encountered is the poor body of the car. The panels below the car have completely diminished. Anything remaining of them is either rotting and rusting away, or has paint removed from them. The paint is also coming out of the front plastic bumper and from the front hood of…”
“While driving down 25-35mph vehicle stalled out and died without warning. Dealer replaced fuel pump filter. *ak”
“No one was injured. I was driving to work and had almost got there when I heard a bang on the side of the car and saw the tread fly off back behind from my drivers side front tire. Tire stayed aired up as I got off the interstate i80, and pulled in the parking lot. I got out to examine the damage.…”
“Back seat is not connected to the car and rear seat belts are missing.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92024 Opened 1992-06-26 · closed 1994-01-31
STICKING THROTTLE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE93090 Opened 1993-10-08 · closed 1994-02-28
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.