VehicleVerdict

1995 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 392 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Cavalier year — the 1995 model ranks #7 of 26 Cavalier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 36 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 99 reports (25% of the total).

392

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

42

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

36

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Cavalier years?

See all Cavalier years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine9925%
Electrical System6617%
Brakes379%
Visibility & Wipers379%
Airbags277%
Steering226%
Transmission195%
Suspension154%
Body & Structure123%
Seat Belts113%
Fuel System92%
Lighting92%
Seats72%
Other62%
Speed Control51%
Tires & Wheels51%
Latches & Locks31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%

Does the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E063000SteeringOctober 17, 2008 · 3,855 units

Defect

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 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.

Consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

02V070000Electrical SystemMarch 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Remedy

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

96V250000LightingDecember 17, 1996 · 270,014 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

95V141000Body & StructureJuly 26, 1995 · 16 units

Defect

SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy

ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

95V025000SuspensionFebruary 16, 1995 · 21,340 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PLEASE HELP WITH INFORMATION IF POSSIBLE, THE INFORMATION I GAVE TO YOU IS ALL TRUE TO THE DATE AND NUMBER AS BEST I CAN, TOOK DELIVERY IN JUNE 1995, FACTORY ORDERED, AND NOW THE DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!! HOPE I HAVE HELPED SOME ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IF YOU CAN HELP ME I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 29, 1999 · crash

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (02V070000) IN APRIL 2002, THE LETTER STATED THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY 2002, CONSUMER CALLED ON JULY 5, 2002 AND WAS INFORMED TO COME IN AFTER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, HOWEVER ON JULY 6, 2002 WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE STEERING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 6, 2002 · fire

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER CAN HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER PUTTING ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE VEHICLE THE ANTI-FREEZE WILL LEAK OUT. IN ADDITION,TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 12, 1997

FRONT ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY FALLING APART, THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DISC WAS RUSTED AND COMING APART IN LAYERS. ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 21MILES AND AT 45MILES, NEEDED CHANGE AGAIN. CONSUMER FELT IT MAY HAVE BEE A MANUFACTURER'D DEFECT.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 10, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING IN SAME DIRECTION AS ANOTHER VEHICLE, OTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT RIGHT REAR OF OTHER VEHICLE, TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJUREIS. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT. POLICE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 20, 2000 · crash

1995 Chevrolet Cavalier — common questions

Is the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 392 complaints put the 1995 model at #7 of 26 Cavalier years. It is one of the Cavalier years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Cavalier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (99 complaints), electrical system (66 complaints), brakes (37 complaints).

Does the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Cavalier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cavalier years to avoid are 2003, 1997, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 1995, 2005, 2001, 1999. The cleanest record among Cavalier years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.