Problems · by component

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier suspension problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier cite suspension, 5% of all 512 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
26
5% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY CAVALIER THAT WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE STEERING WENT HAYWIRE. WHEN IT WAS CHECKED BY A SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY A RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. THIS CAR HAS 112K ON IT WITH VERY MINIMAL RUSTING IE AROUND THE GAS CAP. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2008Suspension, StructureODI 10250485
“I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE SUB FRAME ON THE FRONT HAS ROTTED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RIPPED OUT AND THE FRONT WHEEL WAS RIPPED OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. GM NEEDS TO RECALL ALL OF THESE CARS TO EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF THESE SUBFRAMES. REPAIR OR BUY BACK IF NECESSARY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2008Suspension, StructureODI 10236434
“BLOWN HEAD GASKET VEHICLE OVER HEATING, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR ISSUE; HEAD GASKET RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING VERY BADLY EVEN THOUGH A COMPLETE TUNE UP HAS BEEN DONE; FUEL SYSTEM RECALL SUSPENSION MAKING LOTS OF NOISE; REAR SUSPENSION RECALL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2007Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineODI 10210010
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 98V027000 REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND 98V319000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND AN INTERMITTENT CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2006Suspension, Interior lightingODI 10146993
“I PURCHASED A 1996 CHEVY CAVALIER Z24 ON MAY 13, 2004 WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES ON IT PERFECT CONDITION, GREAT CAR, WELL 7 DAYS LATER MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE SNAPPED OFF RESULTING IN ME HAVING AN ACCIDENT !! I AM OUT OF WORK NOW, I AM TRYING TO GET COMPENSATED FOR THIS CAUSE I AM OUT OF MONEY, I FEEL THIS WAS NOT FAIR , THIS WHOLE YEAR I HAVE TRIED TO GET LAWYER AFTER LAWYER NO ONE WANTS TO HELP ME I HAVE THE CAR STILL AND THE TIRE THAT SNAPPED OFF , IT'S A PERFECT CLEAN CUT TO THE AXLE JUST BY LOOKING AT IT YOU CAN TELL THE AXLE GAVE AWAY!! NOW I AM OUT OF A CAR, MONEY, NO JOB, AND PAIN EVERYDAY!!! *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2005SuspensionCrash reportedODI 10118251
“DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CAME BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAY COULD DO NOTHING THATS JUST HOW THEY RUN. MOTOR SURGES AND LAGS AFTER START UP. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. PUSH PEDAL MOTOR BOGS DOWN AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. BATTERY TOOK A DUMP AT ALMOST 4 YEARS. ENGINE SPUN #3 AND #4 BEARINGS ON A COLD START UP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME.PASS POWER WINDOW WAS ALWAYS SLOW. REPLACED APPROX MID 2002 REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS LUMBER IN THE TRUNK. WHEEL STUDS SNAP EASILY AS I HAVE REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 10. REAR BRAKES DRAG AND GRAB EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY. RUBBER MUFFLER HANGER WEARS OUT. REPLACED 2 TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2004Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Seat belts, Wheels, EquipmentODI 10069950

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall on this component

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.

SuspensionReported Dec 15, 1998NHTSA 98V319000
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.