Chevrolet Cavalier Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier across 11 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (78). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (37% of reports).
- 321air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 198mention a crash
- 140mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 28%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 118 of 321 complaints (37%)
- Bags deployed: mentioned in 52 of 321 complaints (16%)
- Driver passenger: mentioned in 30 of 321 complaints (9%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 24 of 321 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 67 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 321 complaints, 198 mention a crash, 140 an injury.
Chevrolet Cavalier air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Cavalier | 6 | 2% | 66,500 |
| 2004 Cavalier | 15 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2003 Cavalier | 18 | 3% | 27,000 |
| 2002 Cavalier | 14 | 7% | 33,000 |
| 2001 Cavalier | 21 | 9% | 48,000 |
| 2000 Cavalier | 18 | 6% | 130,000 |
| 1999 Cavalier | 24 | 10% | 96,044 |
| 1998 Cavalier | 34 | 10% | 100,000 |
| 1997 Cavalier | 78 | 14% | 100,000 |
| 1996 Cavalier | 73 | 15% | 89,000 |
| 1995 Cavalier | 20 | 7% | 115,635 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags
Model years: 1996, 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Risk: Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Horn doesn't work..replaced fuse still not working..so I wonder if my air bag will work...how do I fix it no body know not even the dealer
Was in a horrible car wreck yesterday and none of my airbag is avoid but yet my no check engine light none of my lights were on so I don't understand the problem you could have nearly killed me is what I got spent around three times and put back at the gas station that I left
Airbag light comes on at random intervals for about 5 seconds, then turns off. Speed, road conditions, and gear make no difference as to when it comes on. It has come on while turning, while driving in town at 20 mph, while at a complete stop, while going over a bump, and while going 50mph on the…
Tl* the contact owned a 1996 chevrolet cavalier. While the contact was making a u turn, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head, right shoulder, and left knee. The passenger…
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE TRIED TO COONTACT DEALSHIPS, AND AM BEING TOLD MY VEHICLE DOESN'T "SHOW UP"? YET MY CAR IS VERIFIED FROM WWW.NHTSA.GOV ( MANUFACTURER RECALL [redacted] NHTSA RECALL [redacted].
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Cavaliers have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 321 owner complaints about air bags for the Chevrolet Cavalier. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Cavalier air bags?
Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 118 of 321 complaints, followed by “bags deployed” (52).
Other Chevrolet Cavalier problems
See all Chevrolet Cavalier problems.