Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
I purchased a 1996 Chevy Cavalier z24 on May 13, 2004 with only 73,000 miles on it perfect condition, great car, well 7 days later my rear passenger tire snapped off resulting in me having an accident !! I am out of work now, I am trying to get compensated for this cause I am out of money, I feel this was not fair , this whole year I have tried to get lawyer after lawyer no one wants to help me I have the car still and the tire that snapped off , it's a perfect clean cut to the axle just by looking at it you can tell the axle gave away!! Now I am out of a car, money, no job, and pain everyday!!!
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. …
Dt*: the contact stated there were NHTSA recalls campaign 98V027000 regarding the interior lighting and 98V319000 regarding the rear suspension. The vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN. There was a loss of the interior lighting, and an intermittent clanking noise coming from the rear suspension.
Failure of the driver's and passenger's side seats, the driver's and passenger's side seats did not lock, the consumer was involved in a rear end collision and the passenger's side seat moved forward. Also, clutch pedal clicks when depressed/front end misaligned, causing vehicle to pull to the left/dome light inoperative at times when opening left door.
Fuel pump seal disintegrated. Cost $1,081.00 (including 3 day car rental). Earlier this year there was a recall on the steering column and I wound up paying an additional $600 for other defects not covered by the recall. Think that this and many additional problems on this car constitute it being a lemon. More than 5 recalls in 7 years.
I have a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. The sub frame on the front has rotted and the lower control arm ripped out and the front wheel was ripped off at highway speeds. GM needs to recall all of these cars to evaluate the condition of these subframes. Repair or buy back if necessary.
Blown head gasket vehicle over heating, nothing has been done to repair issue; head gasket recall. The vehicle is running very badly even though a complete tune up has been done; fuel system recall suspension making lots of noise; rear suspension recall.
I have a 1996 Chevy Cavalier that was driving down the road when the steering went haywire. When it was checked by a shop it was found to be caused by a rusted out subframe. This car has 112K on it with very minimal rusting ie around the gas cap.
Knocking noise near trunk area, burning smell constantly, panel lights always show something wrong, ets off light blinking, tilt sticks, horn defective, don't start in warm weather,popping noise in rear side, coolant leaks, power steering hoses had to be replaced because they burned up and leaked fluid onto exhaust system, window rattles when coming down, window not aligned right air comes through on both sides,alarm doesn't work 85% of the time even with new batteries, nothing but problems since June 1, 1999.
I have had reoccurring problems with the lights and the start up light on suspension since the day I purchased the automobile. Everytime I took it in for repair, I got a "cannot duplicate" in the place of repair. I knew nothing of the recall on this items until 6/18/2000, when I was researching other items on the Cavalier. I would appreciate getting this repaired as oppossed to "cannot duplicate." I do know the suspension happens far more often than a vehicle this young age should. Thank you.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
Suspension complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5% of the model year's 503 complaints. The component named most often is rear (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-319 (rear, Dec 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.