The Chevrolet Cavalier is one of the most successful vehicles in American history. It featured many variations to suit a wide range of tastes, and was a generally reliable automobile. But no car is without problems, and the Cavalier suffered various issues during its production run that resulted in multiple recalls. The problems affected different components, but the brake system was a particularly prominent player in the malfunctions.
The Chevrolet Cavalier enjoyed more than 20 years of manufacturing, from 1982 to 2005. Models from all stages in its development suffered notable brake problems. The final years of the Cavalier enjoyed less trouble with the brakes than those experienced for much of its production. While some years stand out more than others, no variant of the Chevrolet Cavalier was exempt from possible issues with the braking system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued more than one recall in 1987 for the Chevrolet Cavalier, including attention for a serious problem with the parking brake. The problem was discovered early in the production of the 1987 model, with the first service fixes offered as early as September of 1986. A flaw with the parking brake lever was noted to prevent the car from actually braking. This allowed affected vehicles to roll away and potentially crash into other cars or objects.
In July 1993, General Motors announced manufacturing defects in several of its designs. The problems affected the brake hoses and required replacement. The extent and nature of the replacement necessary varied between different models, with some only requiring a single wheel brake hose. But the Cavaliers required both rear brake hoses to be replaced. The malfunction was serious, as brakes could stop working and result in a collision.
The brakes were one component on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavaliers that frequently appeared in service records. Affected vehicles suffered from problems with the anti-lock brake system. No formal recall was issued, but replacement of the motor pack assembly for these brakes was not uncommon. The track record of the 1998 Cavalier anti-lock brake system led to reduced reliability ratings. The average cost of repair to owners for this problem was around five hundred dollars.
Later years of the Chevrolet Cavalier production enjoyed fewer major problems with the brake system, but related components often failed. Complaints on consumer websites frequently note problems with the brake lights on Cavaliers from 2003. Dealers often attempt to resolve the problem by replacing the light bulbs directly. However the problem usually returns, and multiple efforts to resolve the issue are often unsuccessful.
