1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 18%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier, 18% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,600 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine stalls without warning while driving. Engine will start if transmission is put into neutral. The event happens with and without cruise control on. It happens at steady highway speed and when decreasing speed. It went for a couple of months without stalling, but then stalled twice in one week. 2.2l engine with automatic transmission. Nothing has been done to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10249874, filed 2008-11, 79,000 miles“Valve cover gasket and head gasket both faulty on engine at only 60,000 miles. This is a very common complaint yet I have not found any recalls. Chevrolet fails to admit to these failures, and will not assist. In same neighborhood, three other Cavalier owners have replaced head gaskets and Chevrolet does nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #10008325, filed 2003-03, 61,200 miles“While driving and with no warning, the vehicle stalled. Water dripped from the vehicle which caused the consumer to add antifreeze. This cooled the engine. The consumer was able to make it to the repair shop and there he found out the motor mount was bad and the engine rocked back and forth. This caused the bolt on the compressor to penetrate a hole in the hose. The motor mount and hose had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10022174, filed 2003-09, 54,000 miles“Car cuts off at any given time. Can be running at 60 MPH or sitting at a stop light, just completely cuts off. Will not restart, have to park it and let it sit, could only take 10 minutes or could take a few hours before it will run again.”
NHTSA complaint #10021475, filed 2003-06, 50,000 miles“The engine made a ticking sound, later the timing chain broke, and it was replaced. However the engine was ticking again. The dealer stated that the timing chain was not put on correctly by an independent mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #10101234, filed 2004-12, 97,520 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 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
51 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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