The 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,881,318 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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…
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence
IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
STRUCTURE95V1410001995-07-2616 affected
Defect
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
SUSPENSION95V0250001995-02-1621,340 affected
Defect
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
57
2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
23
22crashes17injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
18
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
18
2crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the ignition key failed to stay in the run position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 207,636.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the frame was rusting severely. The dealer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance with repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,800 and the current…”
“I bought a 1995 chevrolet cavalier new, in july 1995. I had the following major repairs done on the car. On 8/97 -entire exhaust from converter back bad baffled under warranty. On 10/97-serpentine belt/rotors/alternator & recall on hazard lights under warranty. 4/00-head…”
“I bought a 1995 chevrolet cavalier new, in july 1995. I had the following major repairs done on the car. On 8/97 -entire exhaust from converter back bad baffled under warranty. On 10/97-serpentine belt/rotors/alternator & recall on hazard lights under warranty. 4/00-head…”
“I bought a 1995 chevrolet cavalier new, in july 1995. I had the following major repairs done on the car. On 8/97 -entire exhaust from converter back bad baffled under warranty. On 10/97-serpentine belt/rotors/alternator & recall on hazard lights under warranty. 4/00-head…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. While turning the vehicle at various speeds, the ignition and engine completely failed. The vehicle takes several minutes before it can be restarted. The contact called the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was not under a recall. The current…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet cavalier. While turning the vehicle at various speeds, the ignition and engine completely failed. The vehicle takes several minutes before it can be restarted. The contact called the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was not under a recall. The current…”
“Massive leaks of coolant due to faulty gasket check engine light remains constant running through a bottle of antifreeze a day b/c of said leak. *nm”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02001 Opened 2002-01-03 · closed 2002-03-15
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.