1988 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,435miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by steering (2) and visibility (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,435 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the rear compartment/trunk filed under the same part.
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.
- Electrical system3 25%
- Steering2 17%
- Brakes1 8.3%
- Exterior lighting1 8.3%
- Seat belts1 8.3%
- Suspension1 8.3%
- Wheels1 8.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Purchased a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier from e[ilotos auto sales 2230 frankfort ave. Phila. Pa. The car was sold without the dealer informing the buyer of the defects. There were many....two main crunchers were the brakes and huddled systems. The emission stickers were due. The dealer said, he would put stickers on after the sale, which when the time arrived for the transaction,he said, we could but they're hot. Now we arer having a difficult time finding a garage to put stickers on it because of the mechanical defects.”
NHTSA complaint #10064146, filed 2004-03Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Dt: the contact stated there is wind blowing around the front windshield sealants, allowing cold drafts to enter into the vehicle. The contact discovered NHTSA recall 88v121000, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. However, the vehicle had the same symptoms as indicated in the recall. No repairs or corrections have been made at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10141367, filed 2005-11, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 64,870 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Convertible FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cavalier Convertible FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V121000Jul 25, 1988Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1988, Pontiac Sunbird 1988
There may be poor bond adhesion between windshield glass and mounting.
- 88V095000Jun 14, 1988Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunkCovers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1988, Pontiac Sunbird 1988
Rear lamp wiring harness may contain open or intermittent circuits affecting back up lamp or license plate lamp operation.
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93090Engine compartment firesClosed · Oct 8, 1993
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Cavalier
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 287 | 66,630 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 330 | 51,931 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 678 | 62,204 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 196 | 53,503 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 243 | 49,310 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 315 | 58,500 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 240 | 64,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 345 | 82,525 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 540 | 84,101 | 7 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 503 | 87,500 | 7 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 270 | 82,500 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 212 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 146 | 81,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 134 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 55 | 112,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 55 | 173,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 43 | 106,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 12 | 82,435 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 24 | 86,394 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 18 | 189,654 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Cavalier model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier (Cavalier, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,435 miles and the middle half falls between 64,870 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.