1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: 7 recalls, 503 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 6 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #95V201000 · 1995 · 360 vehicles
What's wrong: The accelerator control cable could have been kinked during assembly causing high accelerator pedal effort, sticking accelerator control cable, or a broken accelerator control cable.
Why it matters: If the accelerator control cable sticks or breaks, unwanted acceleration and/or loss of throttle control can result increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #96V250000 · 1996 · 270,014 vehicles
What's wrong: The front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. This fails to comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
The fix: Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
Interior lights Vehicle recall #98V027000 · 1998 · 249,420 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
Why it matters: The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
Airbags Vehicle recall #98V146000 · 1998 · 675,302 vehicles
What's wrong: Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Why it matters: Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
The fix: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
Suspension Vehicle recall #98V319000 · 1998 · 27,083 vehicles
What's wrong: One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Why it matters: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
Electrical Vehicle recall #02V070000 · 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Why it matters: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
The fix: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002.
Steering Vehicle recall #02V286000 · 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles and MINI vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering.…
The fix: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.
6 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Fuel system Equipment recall #07E015000 · 2007 · 3,124 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister May leak fuel.
Why it matters: A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. A fuel leak can result in a fire.
The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.
Steering Equipment recall #08E063000 · 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
What's wrong: 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of September 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube May be defective.
Why it matters: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 61 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (117): the most common themes are leaks (28), stalls / loses power (20), noise or vibration (16).
- Electrical (100): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (20), electrical failure (20).
- Airbags (73): the most common themes are fails to deploy (16), warning light on (4), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (54): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (14), noise or vibration (6).
The 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier has 503 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 16 Cavalier model years for complaints (1.8× the average Cavalier year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (96 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 87,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (270 complaints, 4 recalls), 1997 (540 complaints, 7 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 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | 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 1996 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.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, plus 6 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
Owners have filed 503 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (117), electrical (100), airbags (73).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 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.