The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,452,199 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 751 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING02V2860002002-11-041,159,156 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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…
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…
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…
SUSPENSION98V3190001998-12-1527,083 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
AIR BAGS98V1460001998-06-29675,302 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence
AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
STRUCTURE98V0320001998-02-258 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
WHEELS97V1060001997-06-28652 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence
A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
VISIBILITY96V1600001996-08-2950 affected
Defect
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."
Consequence
THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
47
3fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
44
29crashes39injuries1deaths
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
36
6crashes1fires5injuries2deaths
AIR BAGS
32
9crashes14injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
32
8fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
31
8crashes4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
26
1crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
23
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
17
1crashes2injuries
Total complaints751
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving my horn stopped working without any kind of indicator!! 3 time this has occurred while driving !! Major safety issue! Was unable warn car backing out and had to swerve to avoid accident! Replaced fuse 3 times!! Someone may die as a result of this malfunction!! Never received any kind…”
“While driving my horn stopped working without any kind of indicator!! 3 time this has occurred while driving !! Major safety issue! Was unable warn car backing out and had to swerve to avoid accident! Replaced fuse 3 times!! Someone may die as a result of this malfunction!! Never received any kind…”
“The safety device light came on. It won't go off, can't start my car. *js”
“The safety device light came on. It won't go off, can't start my car. *js”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired. The contact was…”
“My rear defrost quit working and I went and checked some of the connections. The connection under the dash had been melted, with the plastic showing evidence of being melted. I have done some checking on the internet and it appears it is a problem. If you check gm cars pontiac, and gm some of the…”
“My rear defrost quit working and I went and checked some of the connections. The connection under the dash had been melted, with the plastic showing evidence of being melted. I have done some checking on the internet and it appears it is a problem. If you check gm cars pontiac, and gm some of the…”
“My rear defrost quit working and I went and checked some of the connections. The connection under the dash had been melted, with the plastic showing evidence of being melted. I have done some checking on the internet and it appears it is a problem. If you check gm cars pontiac, and gm some of the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP03007 Opened 2003-10-14 · closed 2004-01-30
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS…
InvestigationEA98001 Opened 1998-01-23 · closed 1998-07-31
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE02001 Opened 2002-01-03 · closed 2002-03-15
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
InvestigationPE97041 Opened 1997-09-09 · closed 1998-01-23
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.