1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1990 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).
Owner complaints
55 complaints2 involved a crash12 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes
Knocking at start up for a good amount of time. When putting on the brake pads the pins wouldn't move to replace the brakes. Had to compress the pins loose with a c-clamp. Also, I've got some kind of leak on the passenger side that's a combination of antifreeze & oil. Which I think IS caused from…
Knocking at start up for a good amount of time. When putting on the brake pads the pins wouldn't move to replace the brakes. Had to compress the pins loose with a c-clamp. Also, I've got some kind of leak on the passenger side that's a combination of antifreeze & oil. Which I think IS caused from the knocking sound. My brake light & an exclamation point light shows on my dashboard sometimes. My fuel monitor gauge doesn't show the exact amount in tank. Could the listed recall cause my car. To runs out of gas at quarter tank of gas? *tr
- Power train › Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly
1990 cavalier gear shift moved to neutral when touched by consumers leg. *ts the consumer was driving about 65 mph when this occurred. the consumer's son's leg touched the gear shift and caused it to go into neutral. as a result the vehicle stalled and would not restart immediately. the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they offered no assistance. *nm
- Tires · Wheels
1. Left front tire hit a pot hole at 50 mph in eastbound #1 lane ramona expy, perris ca. 2.tire compression caused the rim edge to slice open the high ply turn-up and steel sidewall stabilizer. this high ply turn-up comes off the rim bead at a 45 degree angle. If the tire IS compressed past…
1. Left front tire hit a pot hole at 50 mph in eastbound #1 lane ramona expy, perris ca. 2.tire compression caused the rim edge to slice open the high ply turn-up and steel sidewall stabilizer. this high ply turn-up comes off the rim bead at a 45 degree angle. If the tire IS compressed past a cretin point the rim has no place to go but into this 45 degree deflection and slices into the tire causing sudden air loss. 3. I called dunlop customer service and was talk down to in a condescending manor, hit a dead end there! *nm
- Electrical system › Starter assembly
Consumer had questions about the vehicle starter and the use of a starter not designed for the vehicle.*mr *ts. The starter the consumer purchased from the auto store was said to be incompatible for the consumer's vehicle, however it worked fine. *jb
- Tires
Tread serarated from tire while traveling 40mph. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While trying to start vehicle there was some smoke coming up from ignition switch. Contacted dealer, and they were not willing to do any work.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Hard to start vehicle. strong smell of fuel. erratic idle. engine dies and IS difficult to start again. no service engine light. took to chevrolet dealer who only replaced the fuel pressure regulator. could not find any codes in computer. I have replaced several parts which control the idle…
Hard to start vehicle. strong smell of fuel. erratic idle. engine dies and IS difficult to start again. no service engine light. took to chevrolet dealer who only replaced the fuel pressure regulator. could not find any codes in computer. I have replaced several parts which control the idle speed. gas odor IS gone but car still dies at stops and will not idle correctly. dealer could not give me an answer for the causes. this car has been to 3 different dealerships and none of them can determine the cause.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While traveling on highway and without prior warning smoke was coming from the steering column and vents area. dealership was aware of problem.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Consumer was parking vehicle and noticed that smoke was coming through vents of vehicle. vehicle was on fire. fire department was notified.*ak
- Tires › Sidewall
School has regular maintenance checks on their vehicles. A large group of goodyears invicta tires were taken off in 2000. Large cracks were showing only on the white sidewalls. all tires were purchased from same location, steves quick stop. consumer was unable to provide make/ model/ year and…
School has regular maintenance checks on their vehicles. A large group of goodyears invicta tires were taken off in 2000. Large cracks were showing only on the white sidewalls. all tires were purchased from same location, steves quick stop. consumer was unable to provide make/ model/ year and mileage information. tire size p175/80r13, dot# m6jufahr1430.*ak the school stated that tires of regatta series also had cracks in side wall in additon to the previous invicta brand. The local dealer was not helpful. *yh
- Seat belts
Seatbelts mounted to door frame were caught in door and will not retract back into mechanism, causing loss of protection.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
The coolant fan wont run when need have tio turn the heater on to run fan and temperature ligh comes on sometimed when you first start the car or you can be driving the car and it comes on. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness under the hood failed resulting in a fire. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
Has been at repair shop 1 week. Can't find problem.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers do not work when the temperature drops to a certain degree. The right wiper does not clear the window. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Front suspension and drivetrain malfunction. steering shimmies side to side at speeds over 50 mph.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Notice engine leaking oil. Brakes failed to stop vehicle when weather was wet. Vehicle kept moving through red light. No ABS. Was told by mechanic that repairs are needed for safety. (Relayed phone call).
- Latches/locks/linkages › Tailgate › Latch
Tailgate latch worn excessively, preventing it from staying closed.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers malfunctioned, affecting visibility. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Engine oil bearings/pistons failed. also, intake manifold leak and high idle. *ak
- Steering
Steering failure caused accident/injury. *Dh
- Electrical system › Horn
While driving horn pad fell out and stuck in steering wheel, froze steering wheel, causing loss of steering control, ripped off differential, speed 30 mph, nearly caused an accident.. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wiper blades replaced.
- Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
Electrical short caused anti-theft alarm to go off.
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.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
Every Chevrolet Cavalier model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.