NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 546 owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (106) and electrical system (104). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS IN 2009. IT WAS THAT THE SWITCH OF THE KEY ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO START. SOMEONE CAME TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO REPAIR IT. HE HAD TO ADD A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WOULD BE TUNING THE KEY TO THE ENGINE TO START I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON TO START THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING LIGHT BULBS CONSTANCY FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE SINGLE LIGHT. THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM WOULD BE TURNING IT SELF ON WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING. THANKFULLY THERE WAS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THAT. BUT I WOULD BE STRUGGLING TO START MY CAR .I HAD TO WAIT SOME COUPLE OF MINUTES TO START THE CAR. THE RECENT INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS WHEN MY NEIGHBOR HEARD LIKE SOME FIREWORKS IN OUR SIDE OF OUR HOUSE. HE TOOK A LOOK AND HE SEEN THAT OUR CAR WAS SOME SPARKLING LIGHTS OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT WAS AROUND MIDNIGHT WHAT HE SEEN AND HE TOLD US THAT MORNING. AS I WALK TOWARDS THE CAR I COULD SMELL SMOKE AS IF SOMETHING BURN. I WANTED TO START MY CAR BUT WOULDN'T START. SOME ONE CAME TO FIXED IT AND HAD TO REPLACE SOME CABLE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THAT WAS THAT CAUSE THE SPARKING OF THE FIRE.”
“WHILE DRIVING MY HORN STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INDICATOR!! 3 TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING !! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! WAS UNABLE WARN CAR BACKING OUT AND HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID ACCIDENT! REPLACED FUSE 3 TIMES!! SOMEONE MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION!! NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF NOTICE FROM DEALERSHIP/ MANUFACTURE REGARDING THIS ISSUE! UPON GOOGLING FOUND MANY ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM!! A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH MAY RESULT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT!!!PLEASE,PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM !!!!!! ALSO THE GAGE LIGHTS TEND TO STAY ON!! FIRST IT WAS THE OIL SENSOR LITE, NOW THE RADIATOR LITE!! BOTH CHAMBERS ARE FULL EVEN AFTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICING!!!!!! THE OIL LITE STILL COMES ON JUST HAD PROFESSIONAL OIL SERVICE?!????”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL THE DETAILS INVOLVING THE REPAIR AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Cavalier Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Cavalier Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) (MPFI) · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 31 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Cavalier Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Cavalier Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
13 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 546 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (106), electrical system (104), steering (82). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).