Complaints
71
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:83,000 mi
#24 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
#33 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 83,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier has 71 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (5 complaints, avg 83,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (4 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition:Module (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 83,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier include 2 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
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 1989 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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