Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 17% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 11% |
| Visibility | 5 | 8% |
| Structure | 4 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Steering | 4 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 6% |
| Tires | 3 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN US 95 NORTH IN LAS VEGAS AT 65 MPH, THE IGNITION SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND LEFT ME COASTING WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS IN THE EXIT LANE. BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I PURCHASED FOUR FIREHAWK SS20 P215/60R14 RWL TIRES FOR MY 89 CAVALIERZ24 ON 04/19/01 IN JACKSONVILLE FL. AT STORE #005770 OR #018538-THERE ARE TWO NUMBERS. THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED TWICE SINCE THEN. RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTIC
NHTSA complaint: Tires
ENTIRE RED CAR BEGAN FADING ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER DELIVERY. DOORS ONLY HAVE LOST ALL PAINT, INTEGRITY OF DOORS IS COMPROMISED DUE TO RESULTING RUST. I CAN LIVE WITH AN AUTO WHICH IS SLOWING FADING IN COLOR:THE PRIMARY C
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHEN I COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR PUSH MY BRAKES TO A CERTAIN PART DOWN, THE CAR DIES. ALSO ON THE RECALL OF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS COMPUTER DID NOT GO THAT FAR BACK ON THE MODEL THEY WOULD'NT DO IT.THE DEAL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE DOOR FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS CRACKS EXTENDING OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS FROM THE DRILL HOLE FOR THE STRIKER. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. SHOULD THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR SEAT BACKS FLOP BACK AND FORTH. SEATS WILL COME UP AND DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT BACKS DO NOT LOCK IN THE UPRIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Seats
VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 KNOWN ECM MODULES REPLACED IN ITS LIFE OF 11 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK COMLETELY, FUEL FLOODS OUT OF THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Risk: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL TANK.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 11 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.