CarModelProblems.com

1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 4.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
134Complaints
1Recalls
15Crashes
8Fires
15Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (29.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 4.4× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip39 · 29.1%No official action
Seats7 · 5.2%No official action
Electrical System:ignition5 · 3.7%No official action
Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash5 · 3.7%No official action
Seats:front Assembly:recliner5 · 3.7%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine5 · 3.7%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SEATS7 · 5.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5 · 3.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5 · 3.7%
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5 · 3.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5 · 3.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5 · 3.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 3.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5 · 3.7%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 134 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA campaign 91V166000 · 1991 · reported 09/23/1991

IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE…”NHTSA complaint 10101990 — filed 02/07/2005 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE, WHICH AFFECTS VEHICLE STOPPING. DEALER CONTACTED.PLEASE ADD…”NHTSA complaint 8002613 — filed 01/22/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN ON A BUMPY ROAD ABS ENGAGED AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A LARGE AMOUNT…”NHTSA complaint 883267 — filed 03/16/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

551995321419971036199967200121200310220051120081

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 39 of 134 NHTSA complaints (29.1%), followed by seats (7), electrical system:ignition (5), electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

134 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 91V166000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.