Complaints
473
Crashes
42
Fires
11
Injuries
38
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#134 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:73,322 mi
Crash-related:6
#231 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
Avg mileage:78,164 mi
#322 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:36,813 mi
Crash-related:17
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 34 | 6 | — | 73,322 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 31 | — | — | 78,164 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 22 | 17 | — | 36,813 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 14 | — | 1 | 80,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 14 | — | 1 | 81,330 mi | |
| Airbags | 12 | 4 | — | 145,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 1 | 130,081 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | 1 | — | 39,456 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | — | — | 81,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | — | — | 54,474 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 7 | — | — | 56,900 mi | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 7 | — | 2 | 76,968 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 7 | — | — | 150,800 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 6 | — | — | 119,750 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 31 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 | — | — | 2,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 5 | — | — | 175,055 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 5 | — | — | 147,320 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 1 | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
34
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,322
Steering:Rack And Pinion
31
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,164
Air Bags:Frontal
22
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,813
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,330
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
145,000
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
130,081
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,456
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,000
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,474
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,900
Wiring & Fuses
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
76,968
Structure:Body:Door
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,800
Visibility:Windshield
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,750
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
175,055
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
147,320
Electrical System:Horn
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier has 473 NHTSA complaints, 42 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 34 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (34 complaints, avg 73,322 mi); Steering:Rack And Pinion (31 complaints, avg 78,164 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (22 complaints, avg 36,813 mi). 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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,124 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier include 42 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 38 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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
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 1998 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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