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Problems · by component

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier cite steering, 9% of all 512 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

All 1996 Cavalier problems
Complaints
46
9% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“THIS CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LIKE THE GM CARS BEING MENTIONED IN THE NEWS TODAY. STARTED IN 2005 AND WAS EVALUATED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT KEPT IT OVER A MONTH. IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING (VARIED SPEEDS). IT ALSO RANDOMLY WON'T START. TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT WILL QUIT ON YOU OR NOT START.RESETTING DID NOT HELP.CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR DAUGHTER (NEW DRIVER) TO DRIVE, BUT WAS TOO UNSAFE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2014Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 10567934
“MY CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING POWERSTEERING ISSUES. IT FREEZES UP WHILE TRYING TO TURN CORNERS. THIS CAR HAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE POWERSTEERING FLUID IS AT A GOOD LEVEL AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2008SteeringODI 10239975
“CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHILE HAVING THE 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN#02V286000. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM, THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG. *SC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE EVER MADE ON THE VEHICLE. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2005Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10124784
“RECALL CAMPAIGN: POWER STEERING GEAR RECALL. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY KEEPING THE STEERING FROM WANDERING AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE, THE CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR. RECALL# 02V286000. *SC AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER 3 TIMES THE RACK AND PINION WAS FINALLY REPLACED IN WHICH THE CONSUMER STATED SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2005SteeringODI 10111096
“NHTSA RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. AFTER HAVING THE LOWER PINION BEARING REPLACED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2004SteeringODI 10099341
“MY 1996 CHEVY CAVALIER, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP , WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD.I TOTALLY LOST POWER AND I PULLED OVER, AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT BY SEVERAL OTHER CARS. THIS IS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN FOR THIS VECHILE.GM, SHOULD INQUIRE MORE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2004SteeringODI 10053074

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 17, 2008NHTSA 08E063000

Steering: rack and pinion

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 4, 2002NHTSA 02V286000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.