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BrakesPart report

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Brakes Problems

Complaints
59about this part
Share
17%of 345 total for the year
Median mileage
79,002miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 17% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,002 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The engine started having problems where it didn't want to move and the gas pump kept messing up and the gas needle doesn,t show correct it will say you have a half a tank when you really have a quarter tank, and the throttle sensor is messed up I was on I-4 which is a major highway in orlando in the middle of traffic the was on but loss power and stalled out.”

NHTSA complaint #10794298, filed 2015-11, 125,000 miles

“I have had my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier for almost 5 years now; in feb. 2003 I had to pay 321.25 to have an ignition switch replaced in my car (which was an recall issue); I asked martin burks Chevrolet on forest park parkway in forest park, ga if the ignition problem was a recall issue and bob allen, the auto part service manager lied to me and stated that it was not a recall issue, so I paid $321.25 for repair service to find out a year later that the ignition system problem was a recall issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10067751, filed 2004-04, 76,968 miles

“Brake lining rusted, causing the brakes to fail. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a repair shop for diagnosis of the problem. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who insisted there was not much they could do, and consumer should take the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership. Consumer was not willing to pay for a brake inspection.”

NHTSA complaint #10081508, filed 2004-07, 35,738 miles

“Dt: consumer states there is a malfunction with the ABS system. At any speed, when brakes are applied, ABS kicks on and does not catch, but starts to jolt. Brake pedal seems to catch/release over and over, which caused extended stopping distances. Also causes rolling foward or backward in any weather condition or under any driving circumstances. Consumer has barely had an accident up to this point. Vehicle has rolled into traffic several times and consumer was forced to use the emergency brake to avoid an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10120996, filed 2005-05, 85,000 miles

“Consumer stated when brakes were applied there was a delay in braking. Cause was unknown. Please provide any further information. When the road is wet, the braking distance is the length of two telephone poles. Vehicle was taken to the dealership five times but they weren't able to duplicate the problem. Consumer was told bring the vehicle back when its raining. Consumer did so and each time they stated they were busy. Mechanic wrote one repair order. Consumer installed new rotors and pads which helped a little bit. Consumer believed the problem is the anti lock.”

NHTSA complaint #10032421, filed 2003-09, 5,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005166%
2004144%
2003345%
20022915%
20014217%
20004514%
19995121%
19985917%
19976412%
19966012%
19952610%
19946531%
19935336%
19925138%
199159%
199024%
198949%
198818%
198728%

Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier

Electrical system
66 complaints
Engine cooling
55 complaints
Steering
54 complaints
Air bags
34 complaints
Body and structure
28 complaints
Exterior lighting
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Fuel system
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
11 complaints
Suspension
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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