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 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My daughter was driving her 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier when the engine stalled and she had not power. She tried turning on a side street she had no power steering and no brakes. She tried to get out of way of a truck that was approaching her but couldn't and her car went underneath the truck. Needless to say the car was totaled. The engine stalled once while it was idling so she had to get it jumped. My husband and I thought she might has left something on or wasn't quite sure about what really happened when it died while being parked. I drove it the next day and it seemed fine. After the accident happen she told us that sometimes when she would put the car in reverse it would die. She would has to put it in park and the re-start the engine and the car was fine. We only had the car for a month. We don't know if the transmission had problems or if this was an electrical problem.
The starter went out the first week I got it did tires start rubbing the sucks went out making it hard to drive and a second time start rubbing I end up buying three times cuz they got ball real fast the wiring under the engine ripped apart and now it's threw a rod.
This e-mail is in regards to my 1998 Cavalier rs. This car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it on June 29, 1998. Just 14 months after I purchased the car, the clutch goes out. Then it goes out four times thereafter. A total of five times my clutch has went out. The reason I purchased a brand new automobile was for the dependency of the Chevrolet product. I was mistaken in my thinking obviously. That dates of having to replace the clutch master cylinder are as follows: 08/29/99, 04/05/01, 08/09/01, 10/17/01, 06/26/03. I understand things go wrong with vehicles, but five times on the same problem. (no the clutch is not being ridden.) thankfully I have reimbursment towing on my insurance, considering I was miles away from a Chevrolet dealership. Also, the engine light came on July 20, 1999 (13 months after I bought the car). My receipt states all the cylynders were misfiring. …
Pattern of overheating and vehicle failures in 98 cavaliers. A second car with the same problems is now being reviewed right next to mine at fox Chevrolet timonium. [phone]. Car with 100,049 miles overheated for first time after ordinary flush and fill 2 days prior. (the serpentine belt and an oil change were also performed following a complaint of smelling antifreeze no other evidence of any cooling problems) following the overheating, the car was promptly pulled over within 2 miles and flatbedded back to the service station. After replacing the thermostat and water pump (signs of low coolant flow - temperature differential in the upper and lower hoses) car continued to overheat. The car was flatbedded to the dealer: no leaks or damage were found in the heater core, radiator, head gasket, or cylinder head. …
1998 Cavalier check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to determine what was causing the check engine light to illuminate. The diagnostic test determined that the EGR valve was sticking and needed to be replaced. The EGR valve failed at 142,673 miles and again at 175,055. When the consumer looked at the service invoice it stated that there was a lifetime warranty on the EGR valve. The consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer since the part had a lifetime warranty.
While driving the consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer stated that problem was pertaining to the antifreeze leaking. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.
The car is equipped with an internal anti-theft system, which, as stated in the owner's manual if the correct key is not used to start the car, fuel is cut off to the engine. The theft system light on the dashboard then flashes, and you are unable to start the car for (as I found out on my own) exactly 10 minutes. Since I purchased the car brand new 5 years ago. This scenario has happened to me dozens of times. I start the car (with the correct key, of course) and the car does not start-the theft system light blinks on and off for 10 minutes, and I can not start the car during this time...if you attempt to start the car during this time, you are forced to wait even longer before the light stops flashing and you can restart the engine. …
Ever since I bought my car brand new, I have had issues with the engine stalling on hills or inclines. My car will start to feel as if it's going to stall, and the RPM's jump up as if I am accelerating the gas, but since this normally only happens on hills, when I apply the brakes, my car will not stop, b/c the RPM's are still high, then that's when the car stalls, and of course my steering wheel locks, and I cannot stop without using the e-brake, or put it back into neutral and restart it. I have no warranty left since it has expired, however, I had taken my vehicle to the dealership and they always said nothing was wrong. I have small children, and it's not fair that this defect has "slipped" through the cracks for this long. Something must be done before owners of this car get injured or killed! …
This car has been taken to the dealer and the dealer recognizes the problem but consistantly refuses to take any rsponsibilities for the junk that they sold me. This car has been to the body shop for repairs on the manufacturer ground effects package the transmission that doesn't work properly the brake system the I have had to have rotors turned and within four months have brand new rotors but on. The sunroof doesn't open properly, the trunk lid hits the bumper when you close it,the engine makes a weird rattle noise when you go over a bump,the doors do not close all the way, ther is tons of rust on the inside walls of my trunk, I was also notified of a recall on the oil consumption valve two weeks after all the oil in my car had leaked out causing my engine to knock on my way home from work (had to put four quarts of oil in it three days from having an oil change, I never received the …
My vehicle has trouble doing everything a new car should do. This vehicle has jeopordized my families safety on numerous occasions. Having the horn not work when another vehicle pulls out on me is a serious matter which should be looked into. Everytime the oil is changed on the car they come back and tell me the transmission is leaking again. Obviously replacing the shaft seal is not fixing the problem especially when it leaks again 3000 miles in between dealership visits. Having a constant gasoline and sulfer odor emitting from the vehicle worries me especially considering I have two very young children.when brought up to the dealership they will not look into the matter anymore unless a engine light is on. This vehicle will shortly run out of warranty and I believe general motors has blown off my letters, phonecalls and e-mails knowing this. …
Engine complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 16% of the model year's 345 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.