Complaints
70
Crashes
2
Fires
13
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Fires:8
#25 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
#34 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 9 | — | 8 | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
8
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier has 70 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood (9 complaints); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (5 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier include 2 crash-related reports, 13 fire reports, 3 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 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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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