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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving at 35 MPH, there was an odor of smoke inside the vehicle. The contact coasted over to the side of the road, lifted the hood, and noticed that the wires from the alternator were on fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
Consumer stated the vehicle was parked and shut off. Without warning, the vehicle caught on fire from the steering column. Dealer notified. Consumer woke to ignition running. Ignition was in off position with the keys removed. She inserted the key and turned it on and off several times until the engine shut off. Just then smoke was seen coming from under the steering column. Fire dept. Determined fire was the result of something electrical.
The gas gauge is going haywire. It pegs to the "f", and then immediately pegs to the "e", even though the tank is half full. The gauge then jumps around the middle form one side to the other side. It is impossible to tell how much is in the tank. This happens while driving and also while sitting at lights or stop signs.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,467.
While driving at highway speed smoke started coming from under the hood ,then the engine died. When consumer popped the hood, noticed that the engine was on fire. The fire was caused by an electrical failure, per the fire inspector.
The Cavalier was driven to work by my daughter on 11-09-98. She parked the car and locked it and went to work at the after school day care for the ymca. About 5 minutes later, a parent entered and asked who owned the Cavalier because smoke was coming from it's engine. By the time my daughter ran outside the car had burst into flames. The school custodians tried to put the fire out with fire extinguishers but they were only successful in putting out the flames that ran from my car to 2 others. The fire department was called and they determined that the fire started in the engine due to either faulty electrical or gas lines. I have contacted GM and they have had their inspector look at the car on 11-16-98. Since the inspector looked at the car, their customer service representative jenny yurenka will not return my phone calls. …
On September 3, 2002, I tried starting the car in the morning around 11:15 am. The car did not start after multiple attempts. The car was left in the apartment parking lot. The car door was opened around 2:00 pm and black smoke came out all over from inside the car. There was a fire flame on the dash-board from the hole inside the steering. The car caught on fire as it received oxygen from the wind blowing. Immediately 911 was called. Fire department came down within 5 minutes and blew out the fire. A police complaint was filed. Also we contacted general motors and they inspected the car after the fire. Finally GM accepted full responsibility for the failure after 14 business days. GM reimbursed our insurance company all the expenses incurred. Dt
Consumer received recall concerning ignition switch failure. The dealer performed the recall repairs, but before the consumer could get home, the vehicle was having problems. The engine light had also illuminated. The consumer had problems starting the vehicle before the she received the recall. The consumer continued to have problems with the vehicle after the recall was performed, the dealer continued to tell the consumer that they did their part and anything further would cost the consumer.
All I have to say about this car is it is a piece of junk. I have had mine for almost two years now and in this two years I have had to put about 7,000 dollars of work into it. As of right now my car is sitting 200 hundred miles away on the side of the highway because the wiring to my starter keeps blowing my starters up. And as far as im concerned the car can stay there. I'm not even going to bother going to get it. Someone else can bar the burden that comes with that car! Im done!
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the key could not be inserted all the way in the ignition. Also, the contact stated that in order to turn on the vehicle the key needed to be slightly out of the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
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, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
Electrical complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 19% of the model year's 345 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-036 (switch, Jan 27, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 10 fires and 0 injuries 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.