Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated the engine failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the engine wiring harness was faulty and exposed melted wires. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Dt: the dash area of the vehicle caught on fire, it started around the ignition switch. They do have a recall not sure if it includes this vehicle. The vehicle started without the keys in the ignition after turning it off, and that was when it caught on fire. This happened on July 6, 2005. The fire department and insurance company came out and inspected vehicle.
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. …
As I was going to turn the switch on to turn on my car it didn't want to start. I had some one fix it but could not find a way to fix it. They had to add a button under the steering wheel to start the car as I turn the switch on. There was couple a of times where the car would go on passlock by itself and wouldn't start until a long period of waiting. The external headlights burn constantly and I would buy new bulbs for the back lights. One time our neighbor said he heard noise like fireworks on our property and he said that he seen our car was sparking light out of the steering wheel. That morning of that day he told us and as we were checking the car I could smell something burned. As a result of that the car didn't want to start . The auto repair people had to come to our house to figure out what was wrong with it. …
I wish I knew about your web site sooner because of all the problems ive encountered with GM. In June of 2001, my 1997 Chevrolet, Cavalier caught on fire while parked and not running. The fire dept. Arson investigator said it was caused by an electrical short in the steering column area. I spoke to several representatives at GM and finaly received a letter in the mail which states that " general motors is unable to assume responsibility for any damages." "investigation revealed no evidence to support the product allegation". This incident has actually hurt my family financially and emotionally. My daughter thinks that we need to keep trading in cars before they blow up. My credit report has a bad mark on it because I had to buy another car and coulnt afford to pay off the rest of the loan.. Chevrolet would do nothing to assist or answer my questions. …
Consumer had just gotten home and parked vehicle. 5-10 minutes later, horn was blowing. Consumer looked outside front end of vehicle was on fire. Dashboard and steering column were completely destroyed. Chevrolet dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. Therefore, they wouldn't be liable. Allstate insurance adjuster took one look,and could tell it was an electrical fire. Chevrolet dealer was not responding to insurance adjuster. Vehicle was under extended warranty when it caught on fire. Engine light illuminated, dealer had replaced the oil pump, solenoid, and exhaust however light still illuminated. Battery light illuminated. Windshield wiper skips and chatters across windshield, dealer replaced blade. Trunk would not open from inside lever, compartment lid release broke. Clicking noise was heard when turning steering wheel, dealer could not find problem.
Dt recall 00V053000 was issued concerning the fuel system. This vehicle was not included due to VIN. Gasoline was leaking from the return and the feed line. The return line started leaking first and then a month later, the feed line started leaking. Noticed it on July 29, 2005 this is when the return metal fitting was leaking and the return started leaking on August 29, 2005. Contacted the dealer, the part that has to be replaced, including the whole unit, and with labor would cost $600.00 or $700.00. Also, ignition switch recall 02V070000. This vehicle failed to start. The vehicle would not turn over it completely. The dash warning lights would come on. The dealer has not looked at any of these problems. There was also a recall 98V146000 concerning air bags. Vehicle's air bag light was on. Did not have the dealer check this.
My 1987 Chevy cavaliar shut off in the middle of driving multiple times. The first time I heard clicking in the cluster and the theft system light turns on and my fuel pump shuts down. I have been in very critical places while this situation takes place. The theft system has shut my vehichle off on the highway, in the intersection ect.. I have tryed to reset this system numerous times. I have come to the knowledge that this is a serious problem with many Chevy cavaliars and other GM models. This should be a recall and should be fixed. I, a loyal GM customer, should not have to drive a unpredictable vehichle that has security problems that are due to the original making of the system. I have no money to pay for this and am stuck with this problem. It is very unsafe.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
Fire in steering column area
Electrical complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 107 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 20% of the model year's 540 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-070 (switch, Mar 6, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 16 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.