1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 345 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 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.
“The plastic coating/lock mechanism on my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier's male seatbelt piece is deteriorating, causing the seatbelt not lock the belt into place.”
NHTSA complaint #10025686, filed 2003-07, 60,000 miles“(1) my cousin was driving her 1998 Cavalier when she was struck head on by an oncoming vehicle (2) her driver's side chair broke lose and her seat belt came out of its fastener and the metal hook striking her body resulting in a laceration. Her body was then throw forward with such great force that she hit the windshield with her head twice resulting in a concussion, black eye, swollen forehead and other cuts and bruises. Additionally, at the point of impact, despite the force with which she was struck, her airbag failed to deploy which could have further prevented her striking the windshield. …”
NHTSA complaint #10126221, filed 2005-06, 100,000 miles“The driver side seatbelt has broken at the female end - the mounting that holds the belt in place has broken off, leaving only a metal component for the belt to fit through. It is no longer fixed, nor adjustable. This is a pretty strong piece and therefore faulty in this vehicle, as it is only three years old.”
NHTSA complaint #747391, filed 2001-06“While driving along seat belt buckle on driver's side comes unlatched. Manufacturer was notified about problem. Owner was told that seat belt buckle would have to be repaired at owner's expense. Problem has not been corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #867426, filed 2000-08Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 8 | 1% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 2% |
| 1996 | 21 | 4% |
| 1995 | 11 | 4% |
| 1994 | 22 | 10% |
| 1993 | 9 | 6% |
| 1992 | 10 | 7% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 4 | 9% |
| 1988 | 1 | 8% |
| 1987 | 6 | 25% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
66 complaintsBrakes
59 complaintsEngine cooling
55 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 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