1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier. Newest first.
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
A fuel tank leak could occur due to small creases on the tank underside cracking during pressure cycling which occurs during normal operation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In presence of an ignition source, this condition couldresult in a fire.
Remedy
Replace fuel tank.
Owner complaints
43 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Power train · Service brakes · Steering
As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I…
As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I decreased too much speed this happened several times during the 3 years I owned this car. The second time was on rapart blvd between cheyenne and lake mead, again in las vegas. I was able to safely coast out of traffic and into a parking lot where I left the car because I thought it unsafe to drive. Mechanics could never figure out why it continued to do this. I think gm needs to look even farther back with these ignition issues as the cavalier IS the predecessor to the cobalt. I repeat this happened many times and they could never figure out what was wrong with it. *tr
- Unknown or other
Entire red car began fading about 1 year after delivery. doors only have lost all paint, integrity of doors IS compromised due to resulting rust. I can live with an auto which IS slowing fading in color:the primary concern IS the doors. because it IS so obvious that it IS solely both doors…
Entire red car began fading about 1 year after delivery. doors only have lost all paint, integrity of doors IS compromised due to resulting rust. I can live with an auto which IS slowing fading in color:the primary concern IS the doors. because it IS so obvious that it IS solely both doors exhibiting the poor qualitiy, there has to have been a defect in workmanship and/or materials initially. Thanks for you quick attention to remedy this faulty condition. I have seen other autos of this make and model exhibiting the same defect
- Tires › Sidewall
I purchased four firehawk SS20 p215/60r14 rwl tires for my 89 cavalierz24 on 04/19/01 in jacksonville fl. At store #005770 or #018538-there are two numbers. They have been rotated twice since then. Recently, I have noticed that one of my tires IS separating above the white letters in perfect…
I purchased four firehawk SS20 p215/60r14 rwl tires for my 89 cavalierz24 on 04/19/01 in jacksonville fl. At store #005770 or #018538-there are two numbers. They have been rotated twice since then. Recently, I have noticed that one of my tires IS separating above the white letters in perfect bi-section of the mold outlets(the little rubber finger like thingies ha ha). To me this IS odd. I was an aircraft mechanic for the navy and have never seen anything like this. As a couple of weeks have gone by the splitting has become worse and IS starting on the other mold outlets. There IS definitely something wrong with the integrity of the rubber composition on that tire for it to split or separate like that. The tire IS dated for late 2000 and has a tread dept of 5 still left on it. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
When I come to a sudden stop or push my brakes to a certain part down, the car dies. Also on the recall of the fuel tank because the dealerships computer did not go that far back on the model they would'nt do it.the dealer was karnes in somerset ky.
- Structure › Body › Door
The door frame on the drivers side of this vehicle has cracks extending out in all directions from the drill hole for the striker. This presents a serious safety hazard to the owners of these vehicles. Should the vehicle(for instance)be hit broadside on the drivers rear quarter (just behind the…
The door frame on the drivers side of this vehicle has cracks extending out in all directions from the drill hole for the striker. This presents a serious safety hazard to the owners of these vehicles. Should the vehicle(for instance)be hit broadside on the drivers rear quarter (just behind the door) the door lock striker will more than likely tear out, & the driver could be ejected, or rear passengers injured by the entire collapse of the rear quarter panel & uni-body structure. There are still a great number of vehicles like this on the road. Please investigate this problem with [xxx]'s vehicle & others like it. I will be doing the same. Sincerely, her auto technican friend. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Seats
Driver and passenger side interior seat backs flop back and forth. Seats will come up and down without prior warning. Dealership IS aware of problem.*ak the consumer stated that the seat backs do not lock in the upright position. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Vehicle has had 3 known ecm modules replaced in its life of 11 years. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
When attempting to fill the gas tank comletely, fuel floods out of the underbody of the vehicle onto the ground. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was involved in a bad accident. Consumer was driving on the highway traveling about 55mph and another vechicle hit him from the blind side. he wants to no why airbags didn't deploy. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
The hatchback latch experiencing failure, adjustments have been made with not success. However, when the hatchback IS fully closed any small bump while driving releases the lock and pops the door open, which allows exhaust (fumes) to enter the passenger compartment. *yc
- Power train › Clutch assembly
Clutch system specs on parts were changed. This caused the clutch to lock up if air gets into line. Can not get out of gear. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel system failed / fuel guage overheating. *yc
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
Cv joint boot strap IS very close to the oil filter and damaged filter causing oil leaking and motor to sieze due to design location flaw.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Tires
Water pump, spark plugs and serpentine belt failed.
- Unknown or other
No problem described.
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Whenever driving the vehicle about 40mph, would hear a noise coming from the front of vehicle when turning. Then the steering wheel would always go to the right. Took to dealer & informed that it was the rack and pinion. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
When driving vehicle seat belts would lock up when leaning forward; would also occur while applying brakes. There IS no give. Have to pull/jerk to try to release belt for room. Its an intermittent problem. Dealr cannot locate reason for lock up. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel pipe leading into fuel tank leaked.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core went bad, anti-freeze leaked out of radiator as a result. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Exterior finish on vehicle has degraded severely despite routine maintenance. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Oxygen sensor failed. (First vehicle on 507067)
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt broke, causing injury. (Attorney for client)
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock · Structure › Body › Door
While drivng the vehicle the back door unlatches for no reason, also replaced power door lock actuator. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Drivers seat back fell back upon stopping, resulting in injury. (Attorney for client) *dh
- Electrical system › Ignition · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Replaced fuel pump. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
- Sticking throttle
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
Every Chevrolet Cavalier model year
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