1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #04V036000January 27, 20041,415,231 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.

  If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. Customers Can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

• NHTSA recall #99V218000August 11, 19996,584 vehicles affected

  interior lighting

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 101, "control location, identification, and illumination." the instrument panel backlighting may not function after adjusting the interior light intensity.

  If the instrument panel is not lit at night, the driver may not be able to see the controls and displays.

  Remedy

  Dealers will test the body control module, and if necessary, replace it.

Other model years

• 1989 43
• 1990 55
• 1991 55
• 1992 134
• 1993 146
• 1994 212
• 1995 270
• 1996 503
• 1997 540
• 1998 345
• 1999
• 2000 315
• 2001 243
• 2002 196
• 2003 678
• 2004 330
• 2005 287