The most-reported Cavalier run is 1G1JC52F737 (2003 builds) with 22 complaints, 7.9× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 24% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 5.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 50 recall campaigns for Cavalier model years 1982–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Cavalier has 1,220 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every Cavalier complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G1JC52F737•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1JC12F937•••••• | 2003 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G1JC52F937•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1G1JC52F537•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1G1JC12F737•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1JC12FX37•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1G1JC52F037•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1G1JC12F837•••••• | 2003 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G1JC52F337•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1JC1247V7•••••• | 1997 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1G1JC52F437•••••• | 2003 | 3 | — | |
| 1G1JC524XT7•••••• | 1996 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 1,208 Cavalier runs has 14 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 17 Cavalier VINs so far, most often 2003, 1992, 2004 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Cavalier the gap between build years is 5.1×: a 2003 car draws 5.1 complaints per run, a 1986 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 203 | 55 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 241 | 68 | 14 | |
| 2003 | 483 | 95 | 24 | |
| 2002 | 151 | 70 | 19 | |
| 2001 | 189 | 57 | 17 | |
| 2000 | 232 | 79 | 18 | |
| 1999 | 174 | 83 | 18 | |
| 1998 | 276 | 101 | 28 | |
| 1997 | 395 | 126 | 50 | |
| 1996 | 375 | 144 | 46 | |
| 1995 | 220 | 90 | 29 | |
| 1994 | 179 | 54 | 24 | |
| 1993 | 114 | 55 | 8 | |
| 1992 | 88 | 40 | 7 | |
| 1991 | 46 | 35 | 7 | |
| 1990 | 37 | 30 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 27 | 23 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1987 | 19 | 19 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 5.1 complaints per run; lightest is 1986 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Chevrolet Cavalier owners report: Electrical System, 850 of 3,474 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 | 74 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 | 10 | |
| Service Brakes | 64 | 1 | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 8 | |
| Hydraulic | 56 | 1 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 5 | |
| Steering | 30 | 8 | |
| Air Bags | 155 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 50 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Cavalier; the 6 below cover build years 1983 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08E063000 | Steering | 1995–2005 |
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1983–1991 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2002 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2002 |
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1998–2002 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1995–1999 |
The Cavalier against its rivals
The Cavalier draws 2.8 complaints per production run; the Mazda Protege 2.3, the Pontiac Grand Am 2.8 and the Pontiac Sunfire 2.1.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 3,474 | 1,220 | 9.2% | |
| Mazda Protege | 787 | 345 | 17.4% | |
| Pontiac Grand Am | 3,410 | 1,221 | 7.8% | |
| Pontiac Sunfire | 847 | 397 | 10.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 3,474 reports on the Chevrolet Cavalier, 9.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Cavalier | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,474 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 321 (9.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 100 (2.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 315 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 19 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 59% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Cavalier share of that is 3,474 complaints over 1,220 runs, 0.31% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Cavalier VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,474 NHTSA complaints from 1,220 Cavalier runs and 50 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Cavalier production run has the most complaints?
1G1JC52F737, a 2003 build, with 22 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Cavalier run has 2.8.
Which Cavalier years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 5.1 complaints per run and 1986 lightest at 1.
Does the Cavalier get more complaints than the Mazda Protege?
Yes: 2.8 complaints per production run for the Cavalier against 2.3 for the Mazda Protege.
How many Cavalier complaints involve a crash?
9.2% of 3,474 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 100 involved a fire.
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