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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Cavalier 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

345Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
53Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System72 complaints

72 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V036000.

Brakes67 complaints

67 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering57 complaints

57 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V286000.

Engine57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V053000.

Vehicle Speed Control14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V219000.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V053000Reported February 28, 2000 - 391 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on February 28, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 391 vehicles across all affected models.

02V286000Reported November 4, 2002 - 1,159,156 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 4, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,159,156 vehicles across all affected models.

04V036000Reported January 27, 2004 - 1,415,231 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 1,415,231 vehicles across all affected models.

97V219000Reported November 24, 1997 - 24 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on November 24, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 24 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199831
199962
200051
200133
200223
200341
200446
200519
20067
20073
20083
20093
20102
20114
20126
20131
20141
20154
20172
20181
20201
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.