VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier has 58 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

58

Engine complaints

12%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Cavalier engine complaints by model year141 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 1 complaints1986: 7 complaints1989: 14 complaints1990: 7 complaints1991: 12 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 51 complaints1994: 60 complaints1995: 99 complaints1996: 141 complaints1997: 123 complaints1998: 58 complaints1999: 50 complaints2000: 59 complaints2001: 33 complaints2002: 23 complaints2003: 49 complaints2004: 22 complaints2005: 7 complaints
Cavalier engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHE HAD NOT POWER. SHE TRIED TURNING ON A SIDE STREET SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF WAY OF A TRUCK THAT WAS APPROACHING HER BUT COULDN'T AND HER CAR WENT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. NEEDLESS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

NHTSA has 58 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier engine — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.