1999 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 240 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Engine shakes when first started n when idling, but not when driving. Hoses n belts r not in good shape. Not sure about the air bags but seen on this site that there was a problem. I have seen that there are or where, quit a few recalls that were not taken care of. Especially safety ones.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“Takata recall: fuel gage nas never worked since being bought, turn signals ( both right and left) barely worked when bought and went out completly the next day, power steering locks up occasionally and and cant turn wheel,shift gear linkages will only shift manually under the hood, car will die or struggle to continue running unless foot is always pushing on gas, engine occassionally backfires, and not quite sure if the fuel pump is working properly or gone out”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 35 mph and depressing the brake pedal to make a sudden stop, the pedal traveled to the floorboard. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Normal driving my fathers car the frame broke on the right hand side just past the lower control arm. Looks to be metal fatigue. I can send pictures if needed. *js”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2014
“Driving down street heard a bang got out found driver side tire hitting fender toe truck came and should me that sub frame broke talk to several people said should never happen. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2013
“1999 chevrolet cavalier. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems and vehicle sometimes emits white smoke through the vents. *smd the consumer stated the transmission and radiator needed to be serviced. Also, a serpentine belt and fuel pan was needed.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that when depressing the brakes, the vehicle slid and hesitated to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the brakes were readjusted. The vehicle was also taken to a private mechanic, who replaced the brake pads, drums and rotors. The failure recurred frequently. The failure was reported to the manufacturer, who refused to provide any assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 176,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when all of the service warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. When the contact restarted the vehicle, it resumed normal operation for one half mile until the failure recurred. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after multiple attempts. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2010
“This a complaint identical to #10210719 relating to the structure: frame and members:underbody shields on a one owner 1999 cavalier. The car has 35,000 original miles on it and it has been garaged since purchased. It belongs to my 85 year old mother. Had she gotten onto the highway and been traveling accordingly and hit a bump or pothole, this would have become a serious accident. This model is a fatality waiting to happen. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2010
“I also have a 1999 chevy cavalier z24 and the dash has cracked at the middle of the windshield...also doors freeze shut in winter...problems with water pump...it seized up and caused problems with the timing chain & serpentine belt...resulted in a lot of expense to fix...repairman stated the most of the parts on these engines should have been recalled...lots of issues with them....love my car but it's getting expensive to repair now that it's older... *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cavalier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 240 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.