1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
- Complaints
- 55filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 173,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report smoke or fire near the steering column, ignition switch, or dash vents, sometimes with no warning. Other reports describe sudden stalling and loss of steering or braking, and most complaints do not state mileage, so the pattern by mileage is hard to judge.
- Steering
Stalling or sudden loss of steering or braking
- 8 complaints (15%)
- median 173,000 mi at 19.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2014
Owners describe engines that shut down or stall suddenly, including one that cut out at about 40 miles per hour with no warning and another that stalled after the shifter was knocked into neutral at highway speed. Others describe hard starting, erratic idle, and an engine that dies at stops, and at several dealers repairs did not identify the source. Other reports describe a lower control arm failing at about 55 miles per hour and a horn pad that jammed the steering wheel, both leading to a loss of steering, and one describes brakes that failed to stop the car in wet weather on a vehicle without ABS. Only one of these reports states mileage, about 96,000 miles, and where speeds are given the sudden events occurred at about 30 to 65 miles per hour.
What to check: Ask for records of any stalling, starting, or idle repairs and whether a full diagnostic scan was done. Have a mechanic inspect the lower control arms, steering components, and brakes before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Hard to start vehicle. Strong smell of fuel. Erratic idle. Engine dies and is difficult to start again. No service engine light. Took to Chevrolet dealer who only replaced the fuel pressure regulator. Could not find any codes in computer. I have replaced several parts which control the idle speed. Gas odor is gone but car still dies at stops and will not idle correctly. Dealer could not give me an answer for the causes. This car has been to 3 different dealerships and none of them can determine the cause.”
NHTSA complaint #760333, filed 2002-04“1990 Cavalier gear shift moved to neutral when touched by consumers leg. The consumer was driving about 65 MPH when this occurred. The consumer's son's leg touched the gear shift and caused it to go into neutral. As a result the vehicle stalled and would not restart immediately. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they offered no assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10148689, filed 2006-06, 96,000 miles - Electrical system
Smoke or fire, mostly near the steering column
- 19 complaints (35%)
- typically at 6.5 yrs old
- 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe smoke coming from the steering column, ignition switch, or dash vents, sometimes with no warning while driving, and one reports smoke from the column while using the turn signal in hot weather. Other reports describe fires, including one under the hood while the car was parked and one that flared up when a mechanic tried to start the car, where the shop later pointed to the fuel pressure regulator. According to complaints, one dealer was aware of the smoke problem, and another dealer was not willing to do any work. None of these reports states mileage, and the events are described while parked, driving, or starting the car.
What to check: Look for heat marks, a burnt smell, or melted plastic near the steering column and ignition switch on a test drive. Ask whether any wiring, ignition switch, or fuel pressure regulator repair was done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Owner took vehicle to a garage, was asked to start it, vehicle blew up in mechanic's face and caught on fire, was informed that it was engine and now its the fuel pressure regulator.”
NHTSA complaint #805058, filed 1996-11“While driving in hot weather smoke comes from steering column while using turn signal and all electrical functions controlled by turn signal stalk. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #960768, filed 1995-02
Buying note. Anyone considering this model year should check the steering column, ignition switch, and wiring for signs of heat, and ask for records of any stalling or electrical repairs. Because some complaints describe repeated repairs without identifying the source, a pre-purchase inspection with a full diagnostic scan is practical.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 19 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 173,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 12 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Electrical system20 36%
- Engine cooling7 13%
- Fuel system4 7.3%
- Seat belts4 7.3%
- Steering4 7.3%
- Tires3 5.5%
- Brakes2 3.6%
- Exterior lighting2 3.6%
Also reported: Suspension (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Consumer had questions about the vehicle starter and the use of a starter not designed for the vehicle. . The starter the consumer purchased from the auto store was said to be incompatible for the consumer's vehicle, however it worked fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10031500, filed 2003-07Engine cooling: “The coolant fan wont run when need have tio turn the heater on to run fan and temperature ligh comes on sometimed when you first start the car or you can be driving the car and it comes on.”
NHTSA complaint #736785, filed 2000-11Mileage 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 96,000 and 250,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier · sedan | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cavalier FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Cavalier FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Cavalier Wagon FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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 1990 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
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Owners of this model year most often report smoke or fire near the steering column, ignition switch, or dash vents, sometimes with no warning. The issues reported most often: Stalling or sudden loss of steering or braking; Smoke or fire, mostly near the steering column.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
NHTSA recorded 55 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 20 complaints (36% of the total), followed by visibility with 8.
Has the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier (Cavalier Wagon, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 173,000 miles and the middle half falls between 96,000 and 250,000 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 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.