1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 13%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier, 13% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car started being hard to steer to the left and it was intermittent. It just started that morning of 5-28-05 . I was going down a steep hill and it became hard to turn it on a curve going off to the right. I proceeded slowly and as I attempted to make another left turn something snapped under the floorboards of the car and it would no longer turn at all-it would only go forwards or backwards. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125188, filed 2005-06, 124,640 miles“Engine shakes when first started n when idling, but not when driving. Hoses n belts r not in good shape. Not sure about the air bags but seen on this site that there was a problem. I have seen that there are or where, quit a few recalls that were not taken care of. Especially safety ones.”
NHTSA complaint #11242805, filed 2019-08, 54 miles“Recall 02v286000 concerning power steering assembly. The steering wheel intermittently locked up when making left turns. Consumer saw on NHTSA website that there was a recall on this problem involving 1996-1998 vehicles, but the 1999 vehicle was not included in this recall. The dealer replaced the power steering gear assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10081645, filed 2004-08, 82,092 miles“The consumer noticed noise coming from the steering column. The vehicle was serviced and the technician noticed the steering column shaft was binding. When the vehicle was still or turning, a clunk noise was heard from the steering shaft binded. (nancy witaszak-consumer)”
NHTSA complaint #10027221, filed 2003-08, 38,806 miles“Dt: the contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot the steering wheel spun around freely without the vehicle moving. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. They diagnosed that the coupling where the intermediate shaft meets the steering wheel slid out, leaving the bolt in the steering completely intact. The vehicle has been repaired, but is still at the shop. The manufacturer was contacted, but refused to assist due to the number of miles on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10146814, filed 2006-01, 151,000 milesRelated 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 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
51 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine cooling
44 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 30, 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