1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and fuel system (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 cooling10 23%
- Electrical system6 14%
- Fuel system6 14%
- Steering5 12%
- Body and structure5 12%
- Brakes4 9.3%
- Seat belts4 9.3%
Also reported: Other or unknown (3), Seats (3), Tires (3), Air bags (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “When I come to a sudden stop or push my brakes to a certain part down, the car dies. Also on the recall of the fuel tank because the dealerships computer did not go that far back on the model they would'nt do it.the dealer was karnes in somerset ky.”
NHTSA complaint #10008329, filed 2003-03, 83,000 milesSteering: “Whenever driving the vehicle about 40mph, would hear a noise coming from the front of vehicle when turning. Then the steering wheel would always go to the right. Took to dealer & informed that it was the rack and pinion.”
NHTSA complaint #821074, filed 1997-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,000 and 120,942 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Convertible FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Convertible FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 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 | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 26 | 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
- 88V189000Dec 6, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1989, Beretta 1989, Pontiac Sunbird 1989 +2 more
A fuel tank leak could occur due to small creases on the tank underside cracking during pressure cycling which occurs during normal operation.
Recall details for the 1989 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 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier (Cavalier, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,000 miles and the middle half falls between 83,000 and 120,942 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.