1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 1994
These records cover every 1994 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 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier. Newest first.
This IS not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. these vehicles were built with insufficient retention of the horn pad.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The horn pad can separate from the steering wheel falling between the steering wheel spokes. the horn pad could become jammed between the steering wheel spokes and the turn signal lever, resulting in damage to the turn signal lever, horn pad, and horn wiring.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the horn pad retention clips, install horn pad retention brackets to the steering wheel, reinstall the horn pad and assure that the horn pad IS properly retained.
These vehicles were built with overtorqued drive axle spindle nuts. This condition can cause excessive loads on the spindle nut and drive axle resulting in failure of the drive axle or the spindle nut. Failure of either of these components can result in separation of the steering knuckle tire-wheel assembly from the drive axle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles. Corrective action: dealers will replace left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles.
Owner complaints
212 complaints28 involved a crash3 involved a fire14 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owned a 1994 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 25 mph, the driver of the vehicle fell asleep at the wheel. The driver became involved in a crash in which the vehicle rolled over six times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle through the front driver's side window.…
TL* the contact owned a 1994 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 25 mph, the driver of the vehicle fell asleep at the wheel. The driver became involved in a crash in which the vehicle rolled over six times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle through the front driver's side window. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The driver of the vehicle was fatally injured. The police officer stated there was no pin in the seat belt that properly secured it to the body of the vehicle. The seat belt was secured around the driver's arm and was connected to the latch, but not to the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The vin was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
- Power train › Manual transmission
The plastic bushing that holds the shift lever to the cable fell apart while driving and your not able to shift the car. *Tr
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Turn signal/horn pad failure. Called chevrolet hotline on 12/30/2008, and they were not helpful. Referred me to dealership and said there were no open recalls for my vehicle. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
TL*- the contact purchased the 1994 chevrolet cavalier on 01/23/07. The vehicle started jerking when trying to come to a stop, and lost power at stop lights. also, the contact smelled gas fumes while driving the vehicle. he took the vehicle to firestone, and had a diagnostic test performed…
TL*- the contact purchased the 1994 chevrolet cavalier on 01/23/07. The vehicle started jerking when trying to come to a stop, and lost power at stop lights. also, the contact smelled gas fumes while driving the vehicle. he took the vehicle to firestone, and had a diagnostic test performed, and was informed that the vehicle had two fuel injectors that were leaking. And that the torque converter failed. the firestone representative informed the contact that the fuel injector failure was a fire hazard .and the vehicle was not safe. the contact called the owner of dave's dealership, and was informed by the owner that there was nothing he could do about the vehicle failures. the contact had an estimate for repairing the injectors which was $442.00 ,and the torque converter repair for $600.00. the current mileage was 19,500, and the failure mileage was 19, 4700. updated 04/12/07. *Jb
- Latches/locks/linkages
Dt*: the contact stated the power door locks failed and the manual release would not unlock the door. the vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic.
- Seats
Driver seat broke while driving down interstate and has to be held up by some thing so it don't fall back. *Nm
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Abs warning light
I have to buy new tires every 2 week and for some reason no one can tell me whats wrong with my car
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm · Suspension › Front › Stabilizer bar · Tires
The day the vehicle was delivered to the consumer it had a flat tire. the tire was replaced but a few days later another tire went flat. *nm the brakes failed with no warning, there was an unusual noise when making turns and the stabilizer was found broke, there was another noise in the front…
The day the vehicle was delivered to the consumer it had a flat tire. the tire was replaced but a few days later another tire went flat. *nm the brakes failed with no warning, there was an unusual noise when making turns and the stabilizer was found broke, there was another noise in the front end and the vehicle had fallen to the ground. *sc the consumer discovered there was a recall on the drive axle which may have been related to the incident he/she experienced. *Jb
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
The signal light on the dashboard indicated that the rear signals work properly, even when a bulb was blown out. This caused the consumer to believe that signal worked properly, but it not. Dealer was not notified.*ak *tc
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
While driving fuel gauge IS registering 1/8 tank of gas. However, the fuel tank IS empty. Vehicle has been to several repair shop,. But no repairs were done. dealer was notified. Dealer informed the consumer that the problem was not covered under a recall.*ak the consumer stated that he spoke with other cavalier owners and they also had the problem of the gas gauge giving inaccurate readings. *tc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving ABS light lluminated. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
When driving 20 mph left front tire collapsed. This caused consumer to stop in the middle of the road. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection and mechanic determined that the driveshaft failed. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
I have had a problem with my engine's cooling system ever since I got it. It consistently over- heats, leaks coolant and I believe there IS something wrong with the fan. My car finally broke down from it and I am going to have to pay hundreds of more dollars toget the problem fixed. I have 2…
I have had a problem with my engine's cooling system ever since I got it. It consistently over- heats, leaks coolant and I believe there IS something wrong with the fan. My car finally broke down from it and I am going to have to pay hundreds of more dollars toget the problem fixed. I have 2 friends that have the exact same car with the same problems. I am so sick of taking this car in for problems. Also, there have been problems with the fan belt and parallel pullies, which I was told by aaa. *Ak
- Unknown or other
This IS the 4TH time the timing chain has broken on my 1994 cavalier. the third time the chain broke I had to have the rods/pistons replaced because when the chain broke it bent them.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
When braking there IS a noise. *ak
- Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Consumer drove the vehicle over a pot hole, and it felt like the bottom of the vehicle was about to come apart. Consumer smelled gas, and vehicle was towed to a mechanic, and he replaced the shock towers on the right side. About six weeks later, consumer felt something dragging. Took back vehicle to mechanic, who replaced the shock towers on the left side. *ak right rear shock tower was also repaired. *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket leaking needed replaced in1998 at 43445, then started leaking in 2002 at 74847.
- Power train › Axle assembly
Consumer's vehicle had the same problem as mentioned in recall 94v115000 concening axles. Dealer would not repair vehicle because vin was not included.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Lower radiator hose rubbed on motor mount and wore through the metal on the hose, causing loss of fluid and engine cooling failure. hose was in good shape except for this. new hose IS still rubbing. no apparent way to mount it differently. *Ak second complaint. air conditioning external runoff often runs into car under passenger mat instead of outside.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module · Structure › Body › Trunk lid
This problem of the ABS system malfunctioning started a little over a year ago. I have already spent well over 800 dollars on brake work at several different brake shops. nobody knew what the problem was until I took it to the last place. they told me it was 1300 dollar problem. I need to…
This problem of the ABS system malfunctioning started a little over a year ago. I have already spent well over 800 dollars on brake work at several different brake shops. nobody knew what the problem was until I took it to the last place. they told me it was 1300 dollar problem. I need to replace the ABS box. while driving down the highway one day in perfectly clear weather I was to force to hit my brakes and ended up spinning out of control and almost being struck by numerous cars until I finally come to a stop facing traffic. this happened while my 15 month old son was in the car with me. I have read in numerous different web sites all the complaints of the ABS system failing on 94 cavaliers. I think if anything IS decided to be recalled this IS definitely one of them. not everyone has the money to just throw away on having the problem fixed. Ts
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Seat belts · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Structure › Body › Door · Tires · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system · Visibility › Windshield · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Consumer stated when applying the brakes, it felt like the vehicle was trying to stop on wet leaves, it was soon discovered that the brakes were installed wrong by the dealer on june 14, 2000, the dealer offered consumer a 50 percent split on the brake work, however consumer believes that the dealer should pay for the entire brake job since they installed the rear brakes on the front and vice versa. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
When applying brakes vehicle will not stop. Brakes locked up and vehicle shimmied. Had vehicle repaired, but problem still exists. please add vin. *Ak
- Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Structure › Body
Vehicle firewall which separates the engine compartment from the passanger compartment has holes in it due to rust through which causes water to leak into the passenger compartment. due to the vehicles unibody design, IS passanger safety compromised? repair of said item IS very expensive due to required removal of dash components and various engine componets which are attached to the firewall. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
I was slowing down in a left hand turn lane, on a slight uphill grade, and as I approached a stopping point, the car lurched/jerked heavily then stalled. I tried to start the car immediately and was unable to because I was in drive, I then placed it in park, and the vehicle started easily. I then…
I was slowing down in a left hand turn lane, on a slight uphill grade, and as I approached a stopping point, the car lurched/jerked heavily then stalled. I tried to start the car immediately and was unable to because I was in drive, I then placed it in park, and the vehicle started easily. I then placed the car into drive, released the brake, applied the gas and it stalled again. Placed the car back in park, started it, placed it back in drive, released the brake, applied the gas, and the car stalled. Went through the same steps again, but this time, the car moved and drove normally and did not stall. After searching on the internet, this looks to be a common issue, something about the transmission not down shifting. This IS a serious safety issue, and could have caused a serious accident if I had begun my left turn as it stalled.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Horn pad falls off
This investigation IS closed.gm will conduct a safety improvement campaign to address the concerns raised by the detachment of the horn pad from the steering wheel in the subject vehicles.for a technical analysis of the problem see ea94-033 engineering technical report.
- Horn button falling off
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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 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".
- 52935Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies). Ak
- 52339Squawk noise coming from front suspension or engine compartment area (install ultra high molecular tape).
- 51302Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at rature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies).
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 43034Unknown
- 43030Unknown
- 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.