Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
My mother has a 1997 Cavalier which she bought used. Since she has had the vehicle there has been two recalls and upon further investigation on my part I found on your site 5 more totaling 7 in all. She bought the car in August of 2001. When the car reached 109,000 the oil pump went out and she had to spend 3,000 dollars to get another engine put in, and she don't even have the car paid off. With these newer cars 109,000 is nothing and even in the older vehicles I have never had an oil pump go out with that little bit of miles on the engine. I have friends who are mechanics that I have talked to and they have told me that they have had a lot of these particular engines being the 2.2 liter with bad oil pumps in them. This is the reason I am filing this complaint for my mother. …
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. …
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.
I have a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. It only had less then eighty five thousand miles on it and the engine blew up .I was told the reason why was because it had a defective rod in it. I have all the parts ect you can see there's a defect in the metal it goes all the way threw the rod. I find it hard to believe that such a new car would blow up . I took very good care of that car I had to fix some things the Chevrolet dealership is a joke out here they are worthless thy mistreated me too. I just want to know if there is anything I can do or someone can do about this? Thank you very much denise boozer p.s. That's appr date when it happened.
Daughter was driving and vehicle began to swerve because of another vehicle. Went into the center of medium, traveling approximately 60 MPH. Witnesses stated that vehicle spun around and caught on fire. When the vehicle stopped after hitting the medium, caught on fire. The hottest part was in the rear, above the left rear wheel. The vehicle was mostly burned. There was no body damage. Also, headlights were not broken in the front fender. Vehicle was still under warranty. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
I have a 1997 Cavalier (the warrenty began in feb. '97). Just recently found out I need the head gasket replaced at a cost of approximately $1200. Noticed that many other owners have had the same problem, although in 96's. My car has 70,000 miles on it, and from what I've learned, a head gasket should last about 10 years of 100,000 miles. I would like Chevy to get involved and pay for this, since it obviously seems to be such a problem with cavaliers.
Consumer states that when vehicle is cold it takes several attempts to start. When vehicle does finally start it will continuously stall. If started successfully vehicle has an excessively rough idle. Ph the vehicle did not start in cold weather, the lights on the dash board didn't light. The vehicle was diagnosed as cold start followed by a hard restarting and high oil pressure related to the oil pressure pump in the engine. TSB#7761-09b. Scc
My 97 Chevy Cavalier has blown through 3 head gaskets, 3 water pumps, 3 heater cores and 3 thermostats within the 3 years I've owned the car due to coolant leakage out of a place that no mechanic can seem to figure out. Also, the engine stalls when the car is in idle at random times. I've been stuck late at night on the highway and in the cold with my infant daughter several times and no one seems to be able to fix this problem.
Engine complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 110 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 20% of the model year's 540 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (47 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 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 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.