1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 16%of 345 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 16% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 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.
“Ever since I bought my car brand new, I have had issues with the engine stalling on hills or inclines. My car will start to feel as if it's going to stall, and the RPM's jump up as if I am accelerating the gas, but since this normally only happens on hills, when I apply the brakes, my car will not stop, b/c the RPM's are still high, then that's when the car stalls, and of course my steering wheel locks, and I cannot stop without using the e-brake, or put it back into neutral and restart it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10257007, filed 2009-01, 2,000 miles“I took my car in for a noise in the engine. After I had the car serviced I was then informed that a guide for the timing chain broke and the timing chain bent a baring on the cam shaft.”
NHTSA complaint #10053008, filed 2004-01, 65,000 miles“My daughter was driving her 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier when the engine stalled and she had not power. She tried turning on a side street she had no power steering and no brakes. She tried to get out of way of a truck that was approaching her but couldn't and her car went underneath the truck. Needless to say the car was totaled. The engine stalled once while it was idling so she had to get it jumped. My husband and I thought she might has left something on or wasn't quite sure about what really happened when it died while being parked. I drove it the next day and it seemed fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023313, filed 2003-06, 27,500 miles“While driving the consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer stated that problem was pertaining to the antifreeze leaking. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #10075655, filed 2004-06, 60,000 miles“1998 Cavalier check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to determine what was causing the check engine light to illuminate. The diagnostic test determined that the EGR valve was sticking and needed to be replaced. The EGR valve failed at 142,673 miles and again at 175,055. When the consumer looked at the service invoice it stated that there was a lifetime warranty on the EGR valve. The consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer since the part had a lifetime warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10174323, filed 2006-11, 175,055 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 43 | 6% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 12% |
| 2000 | 54 | 17% |
| 1999 | 44 | 18% |
| 1998 | 55 | 16% |
| 1997 | 106 | 20% |
| 1996 | 117 | 23% |
| 1995 | 82 | 30% |
| 1994 | 56 | 26% |
| 1993 | 41 | 28% |
| 1992 | 15 | 11% |
| 1991 | 8 | 15% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 10 | 23% |
| 1986 | 6 | 33% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
66 complaintsBrakes
59 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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