Most common 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Share of the 540 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Cavalier complaints by model year
Best Cavalier years: 2002, 2001, 1999. Years to avoid: 2003, 1997, 1996. Compare all years →
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls (7)
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002.
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.
Air bags
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
Structure › Body
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 214, "side door strength."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.
Wheels › Space saver wheel
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.
Show 1 more recall
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
These vehicles were built with an incorrect wiper blade assembly (17" long instead of 22" long) on the driver's side. This does not comply with FMVSS no. 104, "windshield wiping and washing systems."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct wiper blade assembly and install a correct length wiper blade assembly.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier:
Inadvertent air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
Fire in steering column area
Oversensitive air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
Unintended vehicle acceleration
On September 23, 2003, the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated September 8, 2003 from mr. Donald friedman, petitioning the agency to open a defect investigation into unintended acceleration involving [model year] 1996 and 1997 general motors j-cars.in support of his petition, mr.
What 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Engine & cooling all 110 →
I have a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier that right after purchase (1998) the engine needed replacement. The dealer as per the service contract did this. Skip ahead to now (2003), the car developed a coolant leak. It was looked at and tested by my local mechanic and was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. I called the dealer that replaced the engine and was told that the entire engine was replaced. I asked about them fixing the head gasket, as it should not be leaking (the engine has 38,000 miles on it) they said no. I called GM customer service, they said I would have to have it diagnosed by a GM dealer at the cost of $79.95. This was done, the dealer said it was a bad gasket and/or cracked head. GM customer service said that since the car was out of warranty and that only a short block was installed they would do nothing about it. My complaint is this; I've been lied to by my local dealer. …
The first incident that occur was in 2009. It was that the switch of the key engine did not want to start. Someone came to fix it but could not find a way to repair it. He had to add a button under the steering wheel and I would be tuning the key to the engine to start I would have to push that button to start the car. I would have to be replacing light bulbs constancy from the rear back of the single light. The theft lock system would be turning it self on while I would be driving. Thankfully there was accident because of that. But I would be struggling to start my car .I had to wait some couple of minutes to start the car. The recent incident that occur was when my neighbor heard like some fireworks in our side of our house. He took a look and he seen that our car was some sparkling lights out of the steering wheel. That was around midnight what he seen and he told us that morning. …
Electrical system all 107 →
While driving my horn stopped working without any kind of indicator!! 3 time this has occurred while driving !! Major safety issue! Was unable warn car backing out and had to swerve to avoid accident! Replaced fuse 3 times!! Someone May die as a result of this malfunction!! Never received any kind of notice from dealership/ manufacture regarding this issue! Upon googling found many are experiencing same problem!! A serious accident or death May result because of this defect!!!please,please look into this problem !!!!!! Also the gage lights tend to stay on!! First it was the oil sensor lite, now the radiator lite!! Both chambers are full even after professional servicing!!!!!! The oil lite still comes on just had professional oil service?!????
1997 Chevy Cavalier steering column and dashboard caught on fire on March 10, 2011. Car had no mechanical or electrical issues prior to the fire. Car was in excellent working condition. Car had been parked for approximately one hour after being used for a short drive. The Cavalier was parked outside in front of the house no one was in the vehicle. Fire department had to be called to extinguish the fire from the car. No prior knowledge of the recall for the electrical system ignition switch defect.
Steering all 83 →
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the steering wheel became resistant and locked. Without steering capability, the contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a building. The contact sustained head injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle for the failure and concluded that the crash was not due to any type of defect. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 05/04/11 updated 1/5/12
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired. The contact was not aware of all the details involving the repair and the cause of the failure was not disclosed to the contact. The contact was notified of NHTSA campaign number: 02V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 33 / 26 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 30 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier a good car?
Based on 540 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Cavalier rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cavalier at the same age. It is one of the Cavalier years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The engine & cooling — 110 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the electrical system (107) and steering (83).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent from November 4, 2002 (rack and pinion). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2001 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 1997 and 1996. See the full Chevrolet Cavalier years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.