1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 8%of 345 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,300miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 8% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,300 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was stopped at red light and when the light turned green I took off and felt a pull to the passenger side. I had my brother in law check it out and the sub-frame was rotted. We replaced it but feel this needed to be brought to your attention.”
NHTSA complaint #10251848, filed 2008-12, 133,000 miles“Convertible top leaks and has done so since the first rain when I bought the car in june of 1998. Vehicle went in for repairs on several occasions with no success in fixing the problem. Problem has progressively gotten worse over the last years. Heavy rain floods the front seats of the vehicle as does washing. Finally gave up after several unsucessful attempts. Slowly over the last 2 years the window motors have gone bad preventing me from rolling the windows down. They get stuck and don't roll up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10033057, filed 2003-08, 36 miles“Took vehicle for state inspection. Vehicle failed inspection due to frame being rusted. Mechanic/inspector states that this is very common on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. There are mfg. Frame holes that the subframe is rusting near the rear wheels. Suggested that could have a body shop weld plates over the mfg holes in the frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10455431, filed 2012-04, 150,000 miles“Chevy Cavalier rusted sub frames. Car vibrates wildly at a certain speeds. Car was parked. Was told vehicle warranty had already expired and there had been no other calls related to this. Was told by GM service department car (if driven) should be driven cautiously (no bumps, potholes, long distance trips) recommended we don't drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10331065, filed 2010-05, 170,000 miles“No events except the sub frame just split in half ,causing the vehicle has very little control and pulls erratically from one way to another, had to replace the sub frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10399097, filed 2011-05, 131,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 14 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 6% |
| 2000 | 27 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 20 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 3% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 13 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 5% |
| 1992 | 6 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 1 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
66 complaintsBrakes
59 complaintsEngine cooling
55 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsAir bags
34 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 28, 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