1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: 7 recalls, 540 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #96V160000 · 1996 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were built with an incorrect wiper blade assembly (17" long instead of 22" long) on the driver's side. This does not comply with fmvss no. 104, "windshield wiping and washing systems."
Why it matters: The area and pattern wiped on the windshield will be reduced and could affect the driver's view in wet weather increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will inspect for the correct wiper blade assembly and install a correct length wiper blade assembly.
Wheels Vehicle recall #97V106000 · 1997 · 652 vehicles
What's wrong: The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: A rapid loss of air can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #98V032000 · 1998 · 8 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 214, "side door strength."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.
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. 25 mention a fire, 78 injuries and 5 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (107): the most common themes are electrical failure (33), fire / smoke (24), stalls / loses power (17).
- Engine & cooling (106): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (37), noise or vibration (21), leaks (20).
- Steering (83): the most common themes are steering problems (75), noise or vibration (13).
- Airbags (78): the most common themes are fails to deploy (16), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (4).
The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier has 540 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 16 Cavalier model years for complaints (1.9× the average Cavalier year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (90 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 84,101 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (503 complaints, 7 recalls), 1998 (345 complaints, 4 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 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 31 | 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 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 1997 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 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?
Owners have filed 540 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (107), engine & cooling (106), steering (83).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 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.