Worst 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | 4 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
1986 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
What are common problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
How safe is the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Does the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
Should I buy a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cavalier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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