1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 1992
These records cover every 1992 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 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier. Newest first.
The secondary hood latch spring IS improperly installed or missing, leading to a condition where the secondary hood latch does not engage the secondary striker.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the secondary hood latch IS not engaged, and theprimary hood latch was also not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. Ifthis occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, the hood may contact the windshield,reducing the forward vision area of the driver and a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Inspect hood latch assemblies and, where necessary, install a new secondary hood latch spring.
Owner complaints
134 complaints15 involved a crash8 involved a fire16 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
New tires and valve stems were installed on my car in november of 2007. after about 8,000 miles two valve stems have failed in the course of two weeks, one about may 7 th 2009 and another on may 19 2009. first failed stem was replaced may 8TH. am no waiting for information from the seller of the stems if they will cover the replacement of the other three under warranty. *Tr
- Structure › Body
The body seam putty on and around the windshield and firewall dries out, then cracks, and allows water to enter the interior of the car. as a result, my front floor pans on the passenger and driver side are rusting as IS my firewall. my front carpet IS most always wet and musty smelling unless I…
The body seam putty on and around the windshield and firewall dries out, then cracks, and allows water to enter the interior of the car. as a result, my front floor pans on the passenger and driver side are rusting as IS my firewall. my front carpet IS most always wet and musty smelling unless I pull the carpets back after every rain to allow the interior moisture to dry (this happens whether the car IS driven in the rain or parked in the rain). *tr
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
1992 chevrolet cavalier. the piece at the center of the driving wheel can come loose, interfere with steering, and cause an accident. the center of the driving wheel has a piece which IS over the horn. His came off as I was making a sharp u-turn on a two way street. It jammed in between the…
1992 chevrolet cavalier. the piece at the center of the driving wheel can come loose, interfere with steering, and cause an accident. the center of the driving wheel has a piece which IS over the horn. His came off as I was making a sharp u-turn on a two way street. It jammed in between the steering wheel and my turn signal lever. I temporarily was unable to turn the steering wheel. It almost caused an accident. the piece at the center of the driving wheel can come loose, interfere with steering, and cause an accident. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Brake pedal will periodically go all the way to the floor without brakes engaging. My daughter had an accident because of this, thankfully no one was injured and there was little damage. Mechanic can find no problems. He said it could be the master cylinder or anti-lock brakes but without him being able to get the problem to re-occur, he can't pinpoint the problem. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The consumer took vehicle to the dealer to repair the ABS light which cost $700.00. the vehicle was taken to dealer a second time because the light would remain on. the dealer informed the consumer that it would again cost him $ because warranty expired. *ak *sc *jb
- Steering
While driving 35 mph, the consumer lost steering control. The dealership was aware of the problem. plase provide more information. *jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Latches/locks/linkages · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module
I own a 1992 chev cavalier Z-24 and have been reading horror stories aboot the exact woes I have been suffering since buying it used in 1998 with only 15K mi on it; it only has 30000 on it now. The first to go was the heater core and belt tensioner and then the coolant leaks that has required…
I own a 1992 chev cavalier Z-24 and have been reading horror stories aboot the exact woes I have been suffering since buying it used in 1998 with only 15K mi on it; it only has 30000 on it now. The first to go was the heater core and belt tensioner and then the coolant leaks that has required several days of shop time. I have had the intake removed twice, the heads once - they accused me of overheating and warping them - the water pump replaced, 2 window motors installed and the altenator replaced. I haven't even gotten to the brakes - the ABS system on this bucket of junk seem to work fine most of the time but love to chatter internal to the electronic/hydraulic system as if it can't make up its mind. I have disabled the system in diagnosing it myself and found that the brakes work better without the system controlling your braking. The system IS intact as I don't want to fool around too much but this should have been a switch on the dash - ABS on - ABS off. I am in poor health and haven't been able to take the jalopy to ourisman chevrolet again - I bought it at ourisman's rockville store - to show them the coolant in the oil that I found recently. I have used synthetic oil in it since I bought it but I can't vouch for the service dept at ourisman. They probably use goodwrench 5-30 as it came from the factory. if there are this many reports of this piece of junk, wouldn't chevy be more concerned aboot it? I am lucky to have gotten a 4 year extended warranty as I would never have been able to afford it; I would have just left the car with ourisman and let them deal with it. ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
While making a right turn a loud knocking noise was heard from steering wheel column. then, vehicle stalled. consumer restarted vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for repairs. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
I own a 1992 chevy cavalier. I have had to replace the heater core 3 times. Once a year every year since 2001. I am requesting a recall on this issue due to the number of complaints I have read about this problem. I don't think that I or anyone else should have to replace a heater core/ blown head…
I own a 1992 chevy cavalier. I have had to replace the heater core 3 times. Once a year every year since 2001. I am requesting a recall on this issue due to the number of complaints I have read about this problem. I don't think that I or anyone else should have to replace a heater core/ blown head gasket once a year. I would like to hear from you or chevy about this problem. This IS ridiculous and very very costly. I believe that the manufacturer should be responsible for the costs incurred and to fix this problem. I love my car and take very good care of it. I have incurred costs of over $2000 and am sick and tired of hearing that I have blown a head gasket due to heater core\cooling failure. Please contact me about this matter asap. Thank you. Sheri madrid *jb
- Structure › Body
Moisture collects inside my vehicle, whenever it rains there IS water standing in my floor boards. *Jb
- Suspension › Rear
Vehicle rear shock mounts rusted out and the shocks broke free of what remained of the wheel well. *mr *scc *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission lock-up torque converter will not release when vehicle warm. vehicle starts, but will abruptly stall when placed in gear. when vehicle cools, transmission operational until vehicle warms back up. this IS the 5TH gm vehicle that I have owned that exhibits this problem. it usually…
Transmission lock-up torque converter will not release when vehicle warm. vehicle starts, but will abruptly stall when placed in gear. when vehicle cools, transmission operational until vehicle warms back up. this IS the 5TH gm vehicle that I have owned that exhibits this problem. it usually occurs at or near 100,000 miles. this could potentially become a safety hazard if vehicle stalls in middle of intersection as there IS no way to move the vehicle. I have had 1 vehicle stall on the interstate when I had to stop for traffic. after 5 vehicles it seems to be a common problem and not just related to 1 vehicle. acquaintances with different manufacturer vehicles have reported no similar problems. dt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving at any speed and applying brakes rear brakes will lock up. anti-lock braking system will engage, which affects vehicle stopping. dealer contacted.please add vin. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Vehicle was sitting in attached garage for three hours when noise was heard in garage. when looked in garage was filled with smoke and fire was coming out of both sides of windshield on passenger side. put out fire with fire extinguisher and pushed out of garage. large hole in dash on passenger side where fire came out, strong ordor of burnt plastic and electrical fire smell.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Vehicle was sitting in attached garage for three hours when noise was heard in garage. when looked in garage was filled with smoke and fire was coming out of both sides of windshield on passenger side. put out fire with fire extinguisher and pushed out of garage. large hole in dash on passenger side where fire came out, strong ordor of burnt plastic and electrical fire smell.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Intake manifold IS defective and vehicle will stall at any speed. Vehicle will start back up once it shuts off. Contacted dealer and dealer was not willing to do anything, consumer had another dealership install new intake manifold gasket. *ak *tt
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seat back broke in rear end collision, sending driver into back seat, pictures available
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While driving driver's seatback collapsed. dealer has been notified.*ak driver was left in a prong position and had to find the brake pedal, consumer was advised by delaer that this IS not a default.*jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
This IS a problem in the fuel management system,causing the engine to surge then miss.i had the car in the shop 6 weeks earlier,it ran fine till today,this time it resulted in a fire .the car IS a total loss.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While approaching a stop sign on a bumpy road ABS engaged and caused extended stopping distance. this resulted in an accident with a large amount of damage done to both vehicles. *Ak *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving ABS braking system failed, causing a crash. please provide further information.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Sir: I purchased 2 firestone tires, style "fr410" and 2 days later on a busy I-95 florida highway, at 65 mph I got a two whole blowout on a brand new tire. I was very lucky I did not get killed by the speeding cars. I just want to report that the "fr410" tire IS also defective and it should be…
Sir: I purchased 2 firestone tires, style "fr410" and 2 days later on a busy I-95 florida highway, at 65 mph I got a two whole blowout on a brand new tire. I was very lucky I did not get killed by the speeding cars. I just want to report that the "fr410" tire IS also defective and it should be taken off the road. To tell you the truth, I am still shaking from the ordeal. What do you suggest? They replaced the defective tires with another 2 firestone tires. I hope I dont have any trouble with these. New tires IS ft70c. *ak( dot number: )
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
The fuse marked "acc" has been changed out 3 times and it keeps blowing. about the same time the a/c quit working as well as the power locks. (Same size fuse used each time) when I go to put the fuse in it sparks, I also am able to hear the chime for the key (if in the ignition), *ak
- Seats
Consumer was sitting in the parking lot and buckling seatbelt. Driver's side seat hinge gave way and seat broke. consumer contacted dealership. mechanic told him that the vehicle was too old.*ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Push rods bent, mechanic told consumer that this was very unusual. nlm
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.
- 10007816Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10007293ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 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
- 601058Vehicles may exhibit a clattering noise at idle speed originating from the timing chain and front cover area.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 54329Complaints that the ABS indicator lamp IS "on".
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 43034Unknown
- 43021Unknown
- 37843Crunch noise from right side dash area when turning steering wheel.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.