1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier Problems

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Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

21 complaints

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

Jul 25, 2003

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

Apr 08, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND VENTS AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Mar 07, 2002

Fire: 1

CONSUMER WAS PARKING VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Jan 24, 2002

Fire: 1

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Jul 20, 2000

+ 16 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY

9 complaints

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

Jan 14, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AFFECTING VISIBILITY. *AK

Jan 09, 1998

DURING HOT WEATHER MONTHS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON BY THEMSELVES.

Oct 25, 1996

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES REPLACED.

Oct 25, 1996

WIPER SWITCH INOPERATIVE. *SD

Jun 19, 1996

+ 4 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

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

Jun 01, 2006

FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. STEERING SHIMMIES SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH.

Sep 20, 1998

ODOMETER FRAUD. *SD

Sep 28, 1995

AXLE BEARING LOOSENED RESULTING IN TIRES MAKING NOISE AS THEY WERE SCRAP[NG AGAINST THE GROUND. *AK

Apr 12, 1995

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER SURGING A FEW INCHES FORWARD. *AK

Mar 21, 1995

SEAT BELTS

4 complaints

SEATBELTS MOUNTED TO DOOR FRAME WERE CAUGHT IN DOOR AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO MECHANISM, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

Apr 03, 2001

SEAT BELT FAILED. *DSH

Sep 14, 1995

Injuries: 1

VEHICLE ROLLED, PASSENGER HAD ON SEAT BELT, ATTACHED TO DOOR, PASSENGER WAS EJECTED. TT

Mar 20, 1995

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RUBS AGAINST BELT COVER, CAUSING BELT TO FRAY. *SKD

Feb 12, 1995

STEERING

4 complaints

ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED ANTI-THEFT ALARM TO GO OFF.

Oct 29, 1996

STEERING FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH

Aug 06, 1996

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STEERING COLUMN SMOKED. *SD

Jun 19, 1996

STEERING COLUNM STARTS SMOKING AND THERE IS NO WINDSHEILD WIPER. TT

Jan 25, 1995

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

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

Nov 22, 2000

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Aug 27, 1996

Fire: 1

ENGINE SET ON FIRE. PLEASE DISCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Dec 15, 1995

Fire: 1

TIRES

2 complaints

TREAD SERARATED FROM TIRE WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH. *AK

Jun 04, 2002

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

Aug 21, 2001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

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

Apr 05, 2002

ENGINE OIL BEARINGS/PISTONS FAILED. ALSO, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK AND HIGH IDLE. *AK

Nov 24, 1997

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A GARAGE, WAS ASKED TO START IT, VEHICLE BLEW UP IN MECHANIC'S FACE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ENGINE AND NOW ITS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK

Nov 14, 1996

Fire: 1

THE FUEL TANK LEAKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TT

Jan 30, 1996

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 55MPH, EXPERIENCED LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, CAUSED WHEN BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY.*AK

Sep 10, 1996

CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. TT

Apr 12, 1995

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SMOKED. *SD

Jun 19, 1996

WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER SMOKE COMES FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE USING TURN SIGNAL AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CONTROLLED BY TURN SIGNAL STALK. TT

Feb 28, 1995

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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

Nov 25, 2014

TIRES,WHEELS

1 complaint

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

Oct 27, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

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).

Aug 12, 1998

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

TAILGATE LATCH WORN EXCESSIVELY, PREVENTING IT FROM STAYING CLOSED.

Dec 15, 1997

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

ALTERNATOR FAILURE, ALSO VERY RUSTY OIL PAN. *AK

Aug 29, 1996

SEATS

1 complaint

FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE SEATBACK BENCH DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION, CAUSING SEAT(S) TO FALL FORWARD. TT

Apr 06, 1995

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

REAR HATCH BACK FAILURE . TT

Mar 20, 1995

4.4/5.0

87 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your CHEVROLET dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier have?

The 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier currently has 63 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier?

The most common problems reported for the 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier?

You can report safety problems with your 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 1990 CHEVROLET Cavalier. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.