Problems · by component

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier visibility problems

38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier cite visibility, 7% of all 546 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
38
7% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the visibility

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“MY REAR DEFROST QUIT WORKING AND I WENT AND CHECKED SOME OF THE CONNECTIONS. THE CONNECTION UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN MELTED, WITH THE PLASTIC SHOWING EVIDENCE OF BEING MELTED. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS IT IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU CHECK GM CARS PONTIAC, AND GM SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON BASED OFF THE FORUMS AND YOU TUBE VIDEO'S. IT APPEARS IN IMPALA, CAVALIER, SUNFIRE, AND THIS ISN'T AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS AND GM ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2014Electrical system, VisibilityODI 10652496
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOUDY UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE GEAR WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER IT WAS STARTED. IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS THE CONTACT HAD TO BANG ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE MECHANISMS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2011VisibilityODI 10377040
“1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *NJ AN INSPECTION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2008Visibility, Air bagsODI 10239352
“I HAVE A 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CONVERTIBLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IN 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW QUITE WORKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2005VisibilityODI 10125045
“INCIDENT TO REPORT: 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BACK WINDOW CRACKED WHEN CLOSED DOOR. THIS RESULTED IN BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER MY INFANT'S CAR SIT AND TOYS. IF MY INFANT WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, SHE WOULD HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURY. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2005VisibilityODI 10107803
“MY DRIVER WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK AND FELL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR-THE GLASS DIDNT BRAKE BUT IT FELL FOR NO REASON-IT COULD HAVE SHATTERED-IS THIS A COMMON OCCURANCE??ITS A 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER-2 DOOR. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2004VisibilityODI 10086987

Showing 6 of 38 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

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."

VisibilityReported Aug 29, 1996NHTSA 96V160000
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.