Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While traveling in same direction as another vehicle, other vehicle pulled in front of consumer's vehicle. Left front of consumer's vehicle hit right rear of other vehicle, traveling about 25 MPH, and neither airbag deployed. Driver sustained minor injureis. Driver was wearing seatbelt. Police repot was filled out.
While driving 45 MPH, the consumer collided with the vehicle in front of her. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. This caused the driver to sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. Please provide further details.
Consumer was involved in a head-on collision and the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy, also failure on the driver's side rear seat belt buckle, the seat belt came out the buckle.
While test driving vehicle, consumer noticed that air bag light was illuminated, consumer was informed by salesman that the air bag light always stays on which was normal for vehicles equipped with air bags, while attempting to repair the air conditioning vents on the passenger side of vehicle, consumer noticed that the passenger side air bag had been removed, consumer contacted the salesman, who then told consumer that it was not his problem and to contact the safety patrol or Chevrolet dealership.
Air bags failed to deploy in frontal impact at speed of 45 MPH. Air bag light on dash indicated air bags were activated.
When vehicle was involved in a inter-sectional crash going between 30-35 MPH, the driver's or the passenger's side air bags did not deploy. The whole front end of the vehicle has to be replaced.
While driving, vehicle was hit from behind; driver and passenger was thrown forward and then backwards. Airbag did not deploy. Seat belts did not restrain.
I swerved to avoid a deer in the highway. The car rolled over 2 or 3 times. The airbags did not deploy. I was thrown through the windshield.
Consumer hit a sheet of ice and rear ended another vehicle, no deployment of driver or passender side airbags occurred. Nlm
Dual air bags did not deploy during front end collision; driver rearended a stopped pickup truck; speed 25 MPH.
Airbag complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier, 7% of the model year's 270 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.