1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 5%of 503 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the 503 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 2 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.
“Driving down the road, motor stops running and I lost all power both steering and electrical. Got it to the side of the road. Waited 2 minutes and started it back up it was fine. Only did this 2 times within a week period. Engine idle rough since I purchased it in 1998. Took it in and they said they could not find anything. Came back several times they essentially said thay could do nothing thats just how they run. Motor surges and lags after start up. Regardless of temperature. Push pedal motor bogs down and then it will take off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069950, filed 2004-01, 63,871 miles“I purchased a 1996 chevy Cavalier z24 on may 13, 2004 with only 73,000 miles on it perfect condition, great car, well 7 days later my rear passenger tire snapped off resulting in me having an accident !! I am out of work now, I am trying to get compensated for this cause I am out of money, I feel this was not fair , this whole year I have tried to get lawyer after lawyer no one wants to help me I have the car still and the tire that snapped off , it's a perfect clean cut to the axle just by looking at it you can tell the axle gave away!! Now I am out of a car, money, no job, and pain everyday! …”
NHTSA complaint #10118251, filed 2005-04, 74,500 miles“I have a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. The sub frame on the front has rotted and the lower control arm ripped out and the front wheel was ripped off at highway speeds. Gm needs to recall all of these cars to evaluate the condition of these subframes. Repair or buy back if necessary.”
NHTSA complaint #10236434, filed 2008-07, 100,000 miles“I have a 1996 chevy Cavalier that was driving down the road when the steering went haywire. When it was checked by a shop it was found to be caused by a rusted out subframe. This car has 112k on it with very minimal rusting ie around the gas cap.”
NHTSA complaint #10250485, filed 2008-12, 112,000 miles“Blown head gasket vehicle over heating, nothing has been done to repair issue; head gasket recall. The vehicle is running very badly even though a complete tune up has been done; fuel system recall suspension making lots of noise; rear suspension recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10210010, filed 2007-11, 93,309 milesRelated recalls
- 98V319000Dec 15, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1997, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1997
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 22 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 5% |
| 2001 | 15 | 6% |
| 2000 | 21 | 7% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1997 | 27 | 5% |
| 1996 | 27 | 5% |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
117 complaintsElectrical system
100 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsSteering
49 complaintsOther or unknown
28 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 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