1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 28%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 189,654miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 189,654 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On my 1986 chevy Cavalier z24 v6 if the engine is off or on the digital dash the lights go out and so does the dome light if the head light is push o panel or both.”
NHTSA complaint #10289653, filed 2009-10, 189,654 miles“Dashboard display intermittently disappeared and came back on; now, completely inoperative; vehicle unknowingly ran out of gas, overheated, cannot tell speed.”
NHTSA complaint #971389, filed 1995-08Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 211 | 74% |
| 2004 | 185 | 56% |
| 2003 | 106 | 16% |
| 2002 | 35 | 18% |
| 2001 | 56 | 23% |
| 2000 | 69 | 22% |
| 1999 | 47 | 20% |
| 1998 | 66 | 19% |
| 1997 | 107 | 20% |
| 1996 | 100 | 20% |
| 1995 | 59 | 22% |
| 1994 | 23 | 11% |
| 1993 | 26 | 18% |
| 1992 | 21 | 16% |
| 1991 | 17 | 31% |
| 1990 | 20 | 36% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1988 | 3 | 25% |
| 1986 | 5 | 28% |
Other parts of the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
6 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology