1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 9%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier, 9% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles.
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.
“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 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 34 | 14% |
| 2000 | 26 | 8% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1997 | 26 | 5% |
| 1996 | 54 | 11% |
| 1995 | 17 | 6% |
| 1994 | 16 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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