Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a stop sign and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,450.
Driving down the road, motor stops running and I lost all power both steering and electrical. Got it to the side of the road. Waited 2 minutes and started it back up it was fine. Only did this 2 times within a week period. Engine idle rough since I purchased it in 1998. Took it in and they said they could not find anything. Came back several times they essentially said thay could do nothing thats just how they run. Motor surges and lags after start up. Regardless of temperature. Push pedal motor bogs down and then it will take off. Replaced almost every sensor under the hood problem is still present. Battery took a dump at almost 4 years. Engine spun #3 and #4 bearings on a cold start up. They advised me that I needed a water pump at the same time.pass power window was always slow. Replaced approx mid 2002 rear suspension clunks and sounds like it has lumber in the trunk. …
Two times in the last year, the anti-lock brakes on our 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have malfunctioned and caused us to rearend other vehicles. Both times after slamming down on the brakes, the car would almost come to a complete stop and then would jut forward 2-3 times and hit the car in front of us. After the first accident, we took the car to a mechanic, and he told us he could not find anything wrong with the anti-lock brakes. We thought that possibly it was just a one time occurrence and maybe there would not be continuing problems with the brakes, but then in the latest accident, our car behaved in the same manner. This time we sustained severe damage and the car was totaled. Luckily, no one was injured in either accident, probably because both times the accidents occured at very low speeds. …
Dt: the consumer stated he bought a car on 6-29-05 from klick lewis inc. On his way home when he applied the brakes, suddenly the car felt like it was coming apart. He called the dealer where he bought the car and they told him the vehicle needed front rotors. On Friday 7-15-05; before he had taken it in to have the rotors put on, he noticed the car was full of smoke. He called the fire dept. And they came out and diffused the fire and told him that it was an electrical problem and the car could have caught on fire. He then called the salesperson that sold him the car and they said they would have someone get back to him. He has made 5 telephone calls to them and no one has returned his calls.
When brakes are applied they engage and release which causes extended stopping distance. The vehicle stops when the brake pedal is slammed on, which engages the ABS. The dealership has checked the brake rotors , pads, all components in the front suspension and tires. They we fine. The cause of the failure is still unknown.
After being involved in an automobile accident, brakes stuck and the accelerator stuck to the floor- driver was unable to stop the automobile. He finally was able to stop automobile by shuting the ignition off. He also states at that time he could not shift gears so he could not disengage the automobile.
The car is falling apart, interior is falling apart, example seat belts on the driver's side is not in tact, the passenger chair on the right side frame is broken, air conditioner has gone out and we needed to install a new airconditioner, the brakes have been replaced twice already, I guess every nine months the car needs a new brake change, the Chrysler credit corp has never given us a receipt on how much more to pay and when we call them up, they would not tell us how much more to go for the payments, they also know that since we purchased this car from the very first day this vehicle has been in and out of the shop for repairs. Then they would change constantly where the payment should go. I just wished they would stop that. It is like a house loan, we have changed mortagager four times and this is getting very stressful. Can you please help us with this matter.
Rear brake system shakes and lurches...wheels lock up and release...car skids for short periods of time causing car to attempt to run off roadway...this happens most often in wet conditions. Car was returned to dealer who "cleaned rear brake drums" and told us the problem was fixed. Last night the car was almost involved in two accidents when daughter was driving in wet conditions at speeds in 35 to 45 MPH range when braking system locked up twice causing car to skid. Father can cause brakes to lock up in dry conditions duplicating brake lock up in wet conditions.
While traveling at 65 MPH, I encountered merging traffic, so I slowed down to approximately 40 MPH, I then heard a pop but did not think much of it because of the construction crews working on the side of the road, I was also listening to the radio. I noticed there was something wrong when the car kept on slowing down at a steady pace,I heard the engine idling loudly and pulled over to the side of the road. I found it kind of odd that the transmission would give out on me since the car was a 1996.
While driving at highway speeds or for extended periods of time four-speed overdrive transmission will automatically shift down to a lower gear, and "ets off" and "check engine" lights come on simultaneously. Vehicle remains in low gears until lights go off or until vehicle cools down. Also , that when this problem occurs vehicle jerks and vibrates as if the ABS is kicking in at speeds in excess of 40 MPH. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Brake complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 12% of the model year's 503 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 7 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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.