Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and 540 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E063000 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E015000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V286000 GM/POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V070000 GM/IGNITION SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V319000 GM/REAR SUSPENSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V146000 GM/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V032000 GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 214 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V106000 GM/COMPACT SPARE TIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V160000 GM/VISUAL; WINDSHIELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 105 complaints
- Electrical System 103 complaints
- Steering 82 complaints
- Air Bags 78 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 56 complaints
- Visibility 38 complaints
Of the 540 complaints on file, 70 report a crash and 25 a fire; across all 540 complaints, owners report 78 injuries and 5 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier has a below-average reliability rating due to high complaint counts in engine cooling and electrical systems. With 540 complaints and 13 recalls, including critical components like steering and airbags, there are notable concerns. However, details specific to failure mileage or cost are lacking, providing limited insight.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| electrical system | 100,000–150,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
| steering system | 90,000–130,000 miles | No reliable estimate | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid flush every 3 years
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Transmission service every 50,000 miles
- Timing belt inspection
- Steering fluid check annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating warning light
- Electrical component failure
- Steering wheel vibration
- Check engine light
- Brake pedal softness
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.