Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
The engine started having problems where it didn't want to move and the gas pump kept messing up and the gas needle doesn,t show correct it will say you have a half a tank when you really have a quarter tank, and the throttle sensor is messed up I was on I-4 which is a major highway in orlando in the middle of traffic the was on but loss power and stalled out.
After being driven 50 miles the car was parked on a slope of 6 inches in 24 feet. The parking brake was set and the manual transmission was in neutral. After 2 hours the car rolled backwards 75 yards, over a small tree and steel fence post and came to rest in a field of tall grass. Damage to the rear bumper was substantial. Closer investigation reveled that even tho the parking brake was set the car would roll. It appears that after the brakes cooled off for several hours they released the pressure against the rear brake drums and allowed the car to roll even tho the slope was very slight. The issue is that even tho the parking brake appears to be set it will allow the car to roll after the rear brakes cool and release the shoes from the drums.
Consumer stated when brakes were applied there was a delay in braking. Cause was unknown. Please provide any further information. When the road is wet, the braking distance is the length of two telephone poles. Vehicle was taken to the dealership five times but they weren't able to duplicate the problem. Consumer was told bring the vehicle back when its raining. Consumer did so and each time they stated they were busy. Mechanic wrote one repair order. Consumer installed new rotors and pads which helped a little bit. Consumer believed the problem is the anti lock.
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.
Dt: consumer states there is a malfunction with the ABS system. At any speed, when brakes are applied, ABS kicks on and does not catch, but starts to jolt. Brake pedal seems to catch/release over and over, which caused extended stopping distances. Also causes rolling foward or backward in any weather condition or under any driving circumstances. Consumer has barely had an accident up to this point. Vehicle has rolled into traffic several times and consumer was forced to use the emergency brake to avoid an accident.
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.
I have always had trouble with the ABS system and so did my father-in-law who drove car before me. ABS was always very sensitive to activating and when activated vehicle very difficult to stop. I have be driving 40 years and never owned a more difficult vehicle to stop. Had brakes serviced less than 10,000 miles ago at dealer, have brand new michelins. Does not matter, I see a lot of complaints on internet about this Cavalier ABS system and it is dangerous.
Brake lining rusted, causing the brakes to fail. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a repair shop for diagnosis of the problem. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who insisted there was not much they could do, and consumer should take the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership. Consumer was not willing to pay for a brake inspection.
I previously reported this and received odi number: 724108 - my vehicle was totalled in this accident. The brakes failed 4 times and in an attempt to avoid hitting a vehicle stopped in front, had to steer off the road onto a bank. This resulted in hitting a boulder and subsequently the vehicle flipped over onto the driver's side. The only reason there were no injuries or fatalities was due to the seatbelt being worn, and the airbags deploying. I had at least 25 if not more incidences where the brakes failed and was told by the dealer upon having them checked out previously was that there was nothing wrong. I notified Chevrolet after the accident, and was told I have no recourse because I didn't have the vehicle back to the dealer 3 times. I could have had it back 100 times and would have gotten nowhere. …
I have had my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier for almost 5 years now; in feb. 2003 I had to pay 321.25 to have an ignition switch replaced in my car (which was an recall issue); I asked martin burks Chevrolet on forest park parkway in forest park, ga if the ignition problem was a recall issue and bob allen, the auto part service manager lied to me and stated that it was not a recall issue, so I paid $321.25 for repair service to find out a year later that the ignition system problem was a recall issue. So I want to inform you that Chevrolet has auto repair service centers with workers that lies to consumers just to take their money. …
Brake complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 17% of the model year's 345 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes 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.