Chevrolet Cavalier Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier across 11 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (27). The words owners use most often: “noise front” (9% of reports).
- 165suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 42%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.
- Noise front: mentioned in 15 of 165 complaints (9%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 12 of 165 complaints (7%)
- Strut mount: mentioned in 9 of 165 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 54 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 165 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury.
Chevrolet Cavalier suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Cavalier | 2 | 1% | 25,000 |
| 2004 Cavalier | 6 | 2% | 115,693 |
| 2003 Cavalier | 22 | 3% | 26,000 |
| 2002 Cavalier | 10 | 5% | 62,225 |
| 2001 Cavalier | 15 | 6% | 27,137 |
| 2000 Cavalier | 21 | 7% | 46,678 |
| 1999 Cavalier | 11 | 5% | 47,592 |
| 1998 Cavalier | 11 | 3% | 150,000 |
| 1997 Cavalier | 27 | 5% | 92,817 |
| 1996 Cavalier | 27 | 5% | 74,500 |
| 1995 Cavalier | 13 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Suspension:rear
Model years: 1996, 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Risk: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Model years: 1995
Problem: These vehicles have been built with welds missing from the front suspension lower control arm assemblies causing excessive loads on the existing welds.
Risk: This condition can result in separation of the frontbushing sleeve subassembly from the control arm increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both left-hand and right-hand front suspension lower control arm assemblies and replace all control arm assemblies found with omitted welds.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle failed to pass pa. state inspection due to a severely rusted frame over the rear axles. The estimate to repair the frame was @$3000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the front driverâs side tire had detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the lower control arm rusted and detached…
The starter went out the first week i got it did tires start rubbing the sucks went out making it hard to drive and a second time start rubbing i end up buying three times cuz they got ball real fast the wiring under the engine ripped apart and now it's threw a rod. *tr
My 2003 chevrolet cavalier recently began to make a clunking noise, which can also be felt, in the front end. When i put it up on a lift, i noticed that the sub-frame was rusting (deteriorating). I know it is 13 years old, but my parents owned a 1989 cavalier z24 for 20 years, and they didn't have…
Instrumet cluster problems for a few years. Fuel sending unit has been replaced at about 52,000 miles after quiting twice while driving highway speed of 55 mph. Dealer claimed the car quit because of a bad battery the first time and did not diagnose the problem correctly. It was not the battery…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Cavaliers have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 165 owner complaints about suspension 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 suspension?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The most frequent phrase is “noise front”, in 15 of 165 complaints, followed by “control arm” (12).
Other Chevrolet Cavalier problems
- Electrical System problems (1,041)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (573)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (479)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (387)
- Steering problems (349)
- Air Bags problems (321)
- Power Train problems (261)
- Visibility problems (240)
See all Chevrolet Cavalier problems.