1992 Chevrolet Cavalier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier: 1 recall, 134 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #91V166000 · 1991 · 3,212 vehicles
What's wrong: The secondary hood latch spring is improperly installed or missing, leading to a condition where the secondary hood latch does not engage the secondary striker.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Inspect hood latch assemblies and, where necessary, install a new secondary hood latch spring.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 15 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (48): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (10), noise or vibration (10).
- Electrical (21): the most common themes are fire / smoke (9), electrical failure (9), door / lock issues (3).
- Engine & cooling (15): the most common themes are leaks (5), stalls / loses power (3).
- Seats (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier has 134 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 16 Cavalier model years for complaints (well below the 284 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (36 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 120,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (55 complaints, 2 recalls), 1993 (146 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (48), electrical (21), engine & cooling (15).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.