1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 16%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier, 16% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1992 chev Cavalier z-24 and have been reading horror stories aboot the exact woes I have been suffering since buying it used in 1998 with only 15k mi on it; it only has 30000 on it now. The first to go was the heater core and belt tensioner and then the coolant leaks that has required several days of shop time. I have had the intake removed twice, the heads once - they accused me of overheating and warping them - the water pump replaced, 2 window motors installed and the altenator replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10075338, filed 2004-06, 15,500 miles“The fuse marked acc has been changed out 3 times and it keeps blowing. About the same time the A/C quit working as well as the power locks. (same size fuse used each time) when I go to put the fuse in it sparks, I also am able to hear the chime for the key (if in the ignition),”
NHTSA complaint #731154, filed 2000-09“Vehicle was sitting in attached garage for three hours when noise was heard in garage. When looked in garage was filled with smoke and fire was coming out of both sides of windshield on passenger side. Put out fire with fire extinguisher and pushed out of garage. Large hole in dash on passenger side where fire came out, strong ordor of burnt plastic and electrical fire smell.”
NHTSA complaint #755432, filed 2001-12“Vehicle was sitting in attached garage for three hours when noise was heard in garage. When looked in garage was filled with smoke and fire was coming out of both sides of windshield on passenger side. Put out fire with fire extinguisher and pushed out of garage. Large hole in dash on passenger side where fire came out, strong ordor of burnt plastic and electrical fire smell.”
NHTSA complaint #755433, filed 2001-12“This is a problem in the fuel management system,causing the engine to surge then miss.I had the car in the shop 6 weeks earlier,it ran fine till today,this time it resulted in a fire .the car is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #744362, filed 2001-04Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 211 | 74% |
| 2004 | 185 | 56% |
| 2003 | 106 | 16% |
| 2002 | 35 | 18% |
| 2001 | 56 | 23% |
| 2000 | 69 | 22% |
| 1999 | 47 | 20% |
| 1998 | 66 | 19% |
| 1997 | 107 | 20% |
| 1996 | 100 | 20% |
| 1995 | 59 | 22% |
| 1994 | 23 | 11% |
| 1993 | 26 | 18% |
| 1992 | 21 | 16% |
| 1991 | 17 | 31% |
| 1990 | 20 | 36% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1988 | 3 | 25% |
| 1986 | 5 | 28% |
Other parts of the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
51 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTires
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology