Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 16 | 22% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 11% |
| Seats | 7 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY SON LOST CONTROL OF A 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND WAS EJECTED AFTER HE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENTERING THE MEDIAN, HIS CAR WAS SKIDDING BROADSIDE AND EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. AS THE CAR ROLLED, THE D
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IS THE POOR BODY OF THE CAR. THE PANELS BELOW THE CAR HAVE COMPLETELY DIMINISHED. ANYTHING REMAINING OF THEM IS EITHER ROTTING AND RUSTING AWAY, OR HAS PAINT REMOVED FROM THEM. THE PA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE TIGHTENING UP THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEEL, PIECES OF METAL SHEARED OFF AND DROPPED SMALL PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND. *AK THE LUG NUTS IN QUESTION WERE NEWLY PURCHASED. PART#254 ABN 10.9 MANUFACTURED BY R+B IN
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
WHILE DRIVING DOWN 25-35MPH VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP FILTER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NO ONE WAS INJURED. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD ALMOST GOT THERE WHEN I HEARD A BANG ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND SAW THE TREAD FLY OFF BACK BEHIND FROM MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. TIRE STAYED AIRED UP AS I GOT OFF THE I
NHTSA complaint: Tires
BACK SEAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE CAR AND REAR SEAT BELTS ARE MISSING.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY; THIS COULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND REDUCED DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. *AK CAUSED BY BAD WIPER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT AR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE REAR WINDOW OF THIS VEHICLE BLEW OUT AS ONE LARGE PIECE (WITH GASKET MATERIAL) AND SHATTERED INTO NUMEROUS PIECES UPON ROAD IMPACT. I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED WITH THE MANUFACTURE &
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 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).
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Risk: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Fix: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 16 of them (22%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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 70/100. 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.