1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier, 12% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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 1997-12“Tilt steering failure, there is a lot of play in the tilt steering. Tt consumer states the tilt steering is causing the ignition switch to short circuit which causes engine to stall.”
NHTSA complaint #975191, filed 1995-11Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 19 | 3% |
| 2002 | 16 | 8% |
| 2001 | 26 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 31 | 13% |
| 1998 | 54 | 16% |
| 1997 | 83 | 15% |
| 1996 | 49 | 10% |
| 1995 | 19 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 17% |
| 1987 | 6 | 25% |
| 1986 | 3 | 17% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
10 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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