Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle hydroplaned on ice. As a result, the contact crashed into the guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a fractured spine that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
(1) my cousin was driving her 1998 Cavalier when she was struck head on by an oncoming vehicle (2) her driver's side chair broke lose and her seat belt came out of its fastener and the metal "hook" striking her body resulting in a laceration. Her body was then throw forward with such great force that she hit the windshield with her head twice resulting in a concussion, black eye, swollen forehead and other cuts and bruises. Additionally, at the point of impact, despite the force with which she was struck, her airbag failed to deploy which could have further prevented her striking the windshield. Every safety device in this vehicle failed miserably resulting in serious injury.
On December 12, 1998 I was in an accident in which I rear ended another vehicle. As I followed the other driver to a near by parking lot to evaluate the damage my air bags both driver and passenger sides went off. I believe they failed in their primary function due to the fact that they didnt inflate until about 3 to 5 minutes after the accident when we were pulling off the road. When they finally did eject and inflate the passenger side air bag cover blew out and shattered my winshield causing an additional $412 worth of damage!!! I am just glad it wasnt a serious accident because then they would of been totally useless. I truely believe that the airbags were inoperable and caused me an additional $412 in the cost of my repairs to my vehicle. I also believe that due to the fact they were not operating correctly I should be intitled to some sort of retribution. …
Car was stopped about 2 feet from wall. Foot slipped off brake allowing car to roll forward, causing it to bump wall. Air bags deployed and passenger side air bag busted windshield. Parts/service manager at our local general motors dealer removed bumper and inspected, and he saw no reason why air bags should have deployed. Also, there is no visible damage to vehicle other than air bags deploying and busted windshield. He contacted general motors and reported this. They refused to do anything about it and they also refused to send an inspector.
Consumer made a right turn and the engine stopped. After switching back and forth, the vehicle began to start slowly. Once started, the vehcile merged forward and began to jerk back and forth. Consumer proceeded, she was driving approx. 10-15mph when she began to brake for a vehicle and the ABS light came on and there were no brakes to apply. Consumer hit vehicle at 15mph. Approximately 20-25 minutes later, both air bags deployed. The whinshield shattered.
Had trouble with traction light. Car would lose traction even with new tirew all time brakes and car was totaled in car wreck, airbags did not come out, and daughter was hurt. It was a front and side and back hit at 55-60 MPH, hitting a ramp direct and bouncing off, and hitting again on an interstate. Very upset that airbags did not come out, would of prevented maybe daughter from getting hurt so badly.
The consumer was sitting at an intersection and without warning, another driver ran a red light and hit the driver head on at the intersection. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer and passenger sustained head a neck injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information.
When vehicle was involved in a rear end crash, traveling at 55 MPH, both air bags deployed. The hot gases from the driver's side air bag burned the driver and the passenger. The driver's right arm was burned. The passegner received burns on the chin/wrist/elbow and inside of the right arm. The vehicle has not been repaired.
While slowing from a speed of 45 MPH the vehicle's air bags deployed. The consumer tried to control the vehicle as the air bag was blocking her view. The vehicle came to a stop in a ditch. Two witnesses assisted the consumer. The consumer stated that there was no collision until the air bag deployed.
I rear ended someone going 45 MPH and my air bags did not deploy and I do not understand why. This was a frontal crash and from all the literature I have read, it indicates that the airbags should have deployed.
Airbag complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 10% of the model year's 345 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 4 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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries to air bags 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.