1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“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“Transmission lock-up torque converter will not release when vehicle warm. Vehicle starts, but will abruptly stall when placed in gear. When vehicle cools, transmission operational until vehicle warms back up. This is the 5th GM vehicle that I have owned that exhibits this problem. It usually occurs at or near 100,000 miles. This could potentially become a safety hazard if vehicle stalls in middle of intersection as there is no way to move the vehicle. I have had 1 vehicle stall on the interstate when I had to stop for traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #769384, filed 2002-11“Slave cylinder of clutch assembly is made of plastic failed with clutch engaged, resulting in vehicle continuously going, almost hitting a child in parking lot. Owner had no warning that plastic cylinder was going to fail. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #802085, filed 1996-09“Consumer was at a stop sign wnen vehicle would not change gears, about 2minutes afterward, vehicle was filled with smoke. The fire department put fire out.”
NHTSA complaint #836267, filed 1999-03Transmission 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 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
51 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSteering
8 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 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