Model year record
The 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier has 1 safety recall and 146 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (60 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| City / highway | 22 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
| City / highway | 21 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
| City / highway | 21 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 17 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.1 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 60 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 51 | — |
| Electrical systemHorn; Alternator/generator/regulator | 30 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter | 11 | — |
| StructureBody › Door; Body | 9 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage | 9 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 9 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner | 8 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections | 7 | — |
| SuspensionFront; Multiple axle | 7 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlCables | 7 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring | 6 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
IGNITION SWITCH SHUTS OFF WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN IT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER ROLLING DOWN THE MANUAL WINDOW, IT WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO D INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM COLLAPSED AND WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE HOSE NON METALLIC RECALL 93V121000. *AK
VARIOUS PROBLEMS REGARDING 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER..ONE COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON NUMEROUS MVOQ FORMS. *MR CONSUMER LOST BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID LINE FAILED. FUEL LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL COMPONENTS OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE FALLING APART. RUST WAS EVIDENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LOWER PART OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY, FROM FRONT WHEEL TO REAR WHEEL. FRONT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY ESOECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK STARTED TO COLLAPSE AND EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY -- SEAT BACK COLLAPSED TWICE. CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND TROUBLE STARTING VEHICLE. WATER COMING IN TO THE TRUNK OF…
SIDEWALL TIRE SEPARATION. UNIROYAL P185/70R14. *AK
MAJOR FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S WATER-RESISTANT ENVELOPE: SERIOUS WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IN RUST AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO CARPET, MOLD AND MILDEW IN CARPET AND UNDERLAY, AND UNPLEASANT ODOURS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK VEHICLETO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DETACHMENT OF THE HORN PAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM SEE EA94-033 ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT.