1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems

Complaints

18filed with NHTSA

Median mileage

189,654miles, 1 complaints with mileage

Recalls

2campaigns on record

Trend

StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA crash rating

—overall rating starts with 2011 models

EPA fuel economy

22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and steering (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 189,654 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

• Engine cooling6 33%
• Electrical system5 28%
• Steering3 17%
• Seats2 11%
• Seat belts1 5.6%
• Body and structure1 5.6%
• Tires1 5.6%
• Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 5.6%

Example complaints

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 189,654 and 189,654 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Recalls and investigations

• 86V131000Sep 19, 1986
  Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
  Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1986, Pontiac 6000 1986, Chevrolet Celebrity 1986 +30 more

  The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving…

• 86V056000Apr 28, 1986
  Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
  Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1986, Chevrolet Truck 1985–1986, GMC GMC 1985–1986 +16 more

  The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving…

Recall details for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier.

Other model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier

All Chevrolet Cavalier model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions