1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 540 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 540 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“There is a clunking noise in the steering wheel and front left wheel when maneuvering a turn. Also my water pump has had to be replaced twice in the past year. My final complaint is that when I try and start my vehicle it doesn't always start when holding it in the start position.”
NHTSA complaint #10021510, filed 2003-06, 135,000 miles“Water pump leaking and needs to be replaced for the third time. One water pump was replaced under warranty. A second water pump failed just after the 36,000 warranty was up and cost me extra to replace because of the poor design of the engine which requires that it be removed to replace the water pump. The third has just failed for unknown reasons. The vehicle only has 75,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10112276, filed 2005-02, 75,000 miles“The tranmission in these cars are very faulty, and the company should re-call them. I think that there is a need for them to explain themselves to the consumer for we our the people buying these bad cars. I just bought mine and it has a trans. Problem already and the car only has 83,000 miles on it. I want answers on this and the company to fix these problems on these cars. There were over (66_) noted problems on this car alone and I think that you guys made them bad then you guys make them right and send out recall notices to the consumer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067911, filed 2004-04“In normal removal/installation of lug nuts using tools supplied with vehicle, I personally have broken 6 of the lug bolts off. Since I have owned this vehicle, not one of the wheels has been put on or removed with an impact wrench. The dealership says thats the only way they could have been stressed like this. I was not, on any of the 6 lugs, placing undue pressure nor was I using cheaters or any such thing. In the normal way you would remove a tire when rotating or changing to the spair they broke. …”
NHTSA complaint #701304, filed 1998-12“Loss of steering and air bags deployed before vehicle came into contact with anything. Regarding jannie welch. Prior to the accident a recall was issued and was repair by the dealer on oct. 7, 1998. The vehicle tape player sounded garbled and the speakers were not very loud. The horn wire inside the steering column broke. A leaking seal within the power steering shaft caused a whining sound. (bradley banks attorney for client).”
NHTSA complaint #10042574, filed 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10170494Dec 2, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10168979Nov 22, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10166638Sep 18, 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876Sep 5, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10154641Feb 15, 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381May 31, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10138060Mar 15, 2017This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 3% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
| 1996 | 19 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
107 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsAir bags
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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