1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 16%of 345 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,484miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 16% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,484 miles. 1 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.
“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“Steering: rack and pinion. At times when I come to a stop I can't turn the wheel either way it's to hard to turn. I went to a garage to see what was wrong they checked it over and they said that the steering: rack and pinion is going. This has happened to me four times so far.”
NHTSA complaint #10098390, filed 2004-11, 98,900 miles“As listed in the may 2004 c.r. The recalls on the Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo, and malibu 97-98 on replacing the pinion bearing in power-steering gear could separate and allow pinion shaft to move. I have had the same problem on my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, whereas I could barely turn my steering wheel to the right while turning. My rack and pinion had to be replaced by the dealer. Why is this not included in your recall listings.”
NHTSA complaint #10065614, filed 2004-04, 44,452 miles“Chevrolet cavlier 1998 - the car is only 5 1/2 years old with 33,000 miles on it. I have had steering issues for more than 3 years with this car. I can not parallel park or make hard turns with out the steering locking up or forcing me to you my entire body weight to ge the wheel to move. When I've taken it to a dealership they simply say this is how the car is designed use the gas and that a recall has not been issued although according to this web page there has been. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045885, filed 2003-11, 10,000 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 milesRelated recalls
- 02V286000Nov 4, 2002Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped…Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1998, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1998, Trans Sport 1996–1998 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10022926Aug 1, 2007Clunk felt/noise heard from steering column, steering gear and/or front of vehicle during turning maneuver and/or steering wheel rotation (lubricate intermediate shaft [I-shaft]).
- 10019516Feb 1, 2006Clunk felt/noise heard from steering column, steering gear and/or front of vehicle during turning maneuver and/or steering wheel rotation.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 19 | 3% |
| 2002 | 16 | 8% |
| 2001 | 26 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 31 | 13% |
| 1998 | 54 | 16% |
| 1997 | 83 | 15% |
| 1996 | 49 | 10% |
| 1995 | 19 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 17% |
| 1987 | 6 | 25% |
| 1986 | 3 | 17% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
66 complaintsBrakes
59 complaintsEngine cooling
55 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 29, 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