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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,770 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Nov 242017

Cavalier

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. While the contact was making a U turn, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head, right shoulder, and left knee. The passenger sustained injuries to the left shoulder. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the air bag failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Babson Park, FL, USA

problem #23

May 121997

Cavalier

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy during the crash; however, it suddenly deployed while the contact attempted to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained severe whiplash, leg bruises, and head lacerations. Medical attention was required. The contact was treated and released from the hospital under her doctor's supervision. The following day, the doctor determined that the contact's neck was fractured and she was sent to get an mri at the regional hospital. The vehicle was diagnosed by marion Chevrolet/Cadillac in marion, Illinois. The air bag was replaced and the vehicle's body damage was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- Marion, IL, USA

problem #22

Jun 092014

Cavalier

  • 195,450 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a stop sign and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,450.

- Meeker, OK, USA

problem #21

Dec 052011

Cavalier

  • 17,035 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I replaced the battery on my 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.4L with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. I had to call a friend to jump me 3 more times before reaching my home which was less than a mile away!

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #20

Feb 202007

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbags deployed inadvertently while my daughter was driving causing her to hit a tree. Eye witnesses state this as well.

- Augusta, GA, USA

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problem #19

Jun 032005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
Consumer experienced problems while having the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier recall repairs performed. Recall campaign#02V286000. There were problems with the steering mechanism, the ignition and the air bag. The consumer believed that none of the recall repairs were ever made on the vehicle.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

problem #18

Feb 092005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle was being driven when all of a sudden the air bag deployed on its own unexpectedly. Manufacturer will be notified by consumer.

- Enon, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 192002

Cavalier

  • miles
The dealer refused to honor the recall for the air bag for almost a year. (recall #98V146000)

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #16

Aug 172002

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
In April 2002 I received a letter from teh recall information processing center, royal oak, mi in regards to a defect with the ignition switch. When I checked the internet "NHTSA" I found out that in fact this was not the only recall on my car. The is also an airbag, check engine light and mud flip kit recall. I contacted the dealer and brought my car in to repair all these defects. The next day the check engine light came on again and the car was running rough again. I contacted the dealership and reported the problem. I was told that this has nothing to do with the recall and that the recall for the "check engine light" was fixed the day before and I have to pay if I want to find out what is causing that light to come on. I am not satisfied at all. First of all, I was never contacted in regards to all these other recalls. I have problems with my car everysince around the middle of 2002. When I drive and take my foot of the gas pedal the car keeps going the same speed without slowing down, sometimes it even speeds up. The engine check light keeps coming on and the engine runs real rough. Also when driving the car keeps jerking, like somebody is hitting the brakes and then speeds ups right afterwards. All these problems occur at no particular speed. Please be so kind and assist me in this matter or advise me who I have to contact. Thank you so much. Best regards, manuela M. leno.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #15

May 012002

Cavalier

  • miles
The air bag light came on when vehicle was started after being unused for 1-2 weeks. I took the car in for service and was told of a recall for inadvertant air bag deployment, so I authorized the dealer to do the recall. The dealer then called and said there was a code in the computer telling the air bags to deploy and the computer needed to be replaced before the car should be driven to prevent a possible deployment of the airbags. I was told that even though this fit the recall for inadvertant airbag deployment it was a different problem and would cost around $400 to repair. I then asked the service manager to try and get this fixed by Chevrolet and was told that they would not fix it, but I was given a phone number for Chevrolet to talk to them myself. I called and spoke to steve lefcourt who agreed that my complaint seemed to be what was recalled, but was told the next day that my problem was different than the recall because in the recall they reprogramed the computer, but since my cars computer would not accept the reprograming it needed replacement and they would not pay for it.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #14

Jan 242000

Cavalier

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In 53000 miles: Spontaneous airbag deployment, computer failure, valve train failure.

- Odon, IN, USA

problem #13

Nov 261999

Cavalier

  • miles
I was in an accident that happened on the 26 of this month when I hit the rearend of the truck in front of me I was traveling approx.25mph and my air bags did not deploy it was a straight on collision to the front end of my car.

- Somerset, PA, USA

problem #12

Aug 121998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was sold without knowledge of recall #98V-146. Mjs

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 121998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was sold without knowledge of recall #98V-146. Mjs

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #10

Aug 121998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was sold without knowledge of recall #98V-146. Mjs

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 221999

Cavalier

  • miles
Car was into mobile home to windshield and air bags did not deploy.

- Harrison Valley, PA, USA

problem #8

Jan 081997

Cavalier

  • miles
False deployment of air bag caused severe injuries including brain damage to 8 year old child. (attorney for consumer).

- New Orlean, LA, USA

problem #7

Sep 011998

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Received recall notification 98V146 in August 98. Consumer has contacted the dealer weekly after receipt of recall. Dealer has not received the parts.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Jul 151998

Cavalier

  • miles
SDM (air bag) failed prior to recall notification.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #5

Jun 301998

Cavalier

  • miles
False deployment of both air bags resulted in vehicle collision, airbags failed prior to recall.

- San Antoni, TX, USA

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