1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 15%of 503 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 15% of the 503 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 34 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I replaced the battery on my 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.4l with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438689, filed 2011-12, 17,035 miles“- the contact has a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving both driver and passenger air bags deployed. The driver injured his arm when air bag deployed and crashed the vehicle. After contacting the dealer, the dealer stated he has no recall records for his vehicle prior to 2003.”
NHTSA complaint #10176514, filed 2006-12, 160,282 miles“1996 Chevrolet Cavalier passenger air bag inadvertently deployed striking the consumer's 9 year old son in the face. The vehicle was traveling at 20 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10132406, filed 2005-08, 184,000 miles“Dt: vehicle was stopped and the air bags deployed on both passenger and driver sides. The air bag light came on and off the day before. An engineer from GM came and stated air bags deployed because of moisture in the car. The windows were down the night before and rain got in the car. There were two people in the vehicle when air bags deployed, the air bags smashed the windshield. Two passengers sustained injuries, bruises. Owner believed was a police report. Gm was notified and determined that air bags deployed because of moisture. No pictures were available.”
NHTSA complaint #10126827, filed 2005-09, 86,000 miles“I was in an accident that happened on the 26 of this month when I hit the rearend of the truck in front of me I was traveling approx.25mph and my air bags did not deploy it was a straight on collision to the front end of my car.”
NHTSA complaint #715382, filed 1999-11Related recalls
- 98V146000Jun 29, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment…Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1997, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1997
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 73 | 15% |
| 1995 | 20 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
117 complaintsElectrical system
100 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsSteering
49 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsEquipment
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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