1999 Chevrolet Cavalier: common problems

Owners of the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier filed 240 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 240
involving a crash: 27

What fails most often

1 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 18% of all complaints
4 Steering 13% of all complaints
5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
8 Visibility 6% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Service brakes: 50 complaints (21% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 47 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine and cooling: 44 complaints (18% of all).
Steering: 31 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Air bags: 24 complaints (10% of all), 18 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
automatic, 3-speed
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 240 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

stalls while driving14 · 6%
knocking, grinding or other noise13 · 5%
warning lights, check engine11 · 5%
airbags did not deploy9 · 4%
headlights and tail lights9 · 4%
rust, corrosion9 · 4%
seat belts8 · 3%
steering or power steering problems8 · 3%
windows, sunroof8 · 3%
brake failure6 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Service brakes	50	6
Electrical system	47	1
Engine and cooling	44	0
Steering	31	2
Air bags	24	18
Powertrain	20	1
Fuel system	15	1
Visibility	15	1
Exterior lighting	11	0
Suspension	11	0
Vehicle speed control	11	2
Seat belts	8	2
Structure	8	1
Equipment	5	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

My '99 chevrolet cavalier (z24) suffered brake failure in dec. Of 2003. The roads were icy--had been snowing all day, and it was still snowing at the time of the accident. I was traveling about 35 mph. I applied the brakes in an easy manner, but there was no braking action. The car continued at the same rate of speed.
Service brakes · crash · 2004-01-28 · NHTSA complaint #10055082
While driving 35 mph abs system failed completely. Dealer stated abs motor become inoperative. As a result, vehicle was involved in a collision. Airbags did not deploy.
Service brakes · crash · 2003-12-15 · NHTSA complaint #10050519
While traveling 60-65mph and had rear ended a stalled out vehicle. Upon impact with other vehicle, both air bags came out, but failed to inflate. No injuries occurred.
Air bags · crash · 2001-04-10 · NHTSA complaint #885622
After an accident, my right rear door will not open from the inside. Occasionally, you cannot start it on the first try. The brakes lock and the tires do not tread although they are both under 6 months old.
Service brakes · crash · 2000-12-13 · NHTSA complaint #737296
Sensor went off and module light came on. But, airbags didn't deploy, and vehicle's front was smashed in. Consumer stated that that dealership was aware of the problem.
Air bags · crash · 2000-10-04 · NHTSA complaint #872299
Consumer had a head on collision with tree after avoiding a pickup truck, and air bags did not deploy, but the air bag lights came on. Daughter was injured in the collision. Gmac has taken full responsibility for the air bag failure.
Air bags · crash · 2000-05-30 · NHTSA complaint #862696
While driving about 60 mph over a wet surface lost control of vehicle, stricking trees in frontal collision, but air bags did not deploy.
Steering · crash · 2000-05-11 · NHTSA complaint #861770
Vehicle was parked in driveway, left in neutral with parked brake engaged on a rainy day. Approximately 5 minutes later vehicle rolled over and hit another parked vehicle across the street. Dealer notified.
Powertrain · crash · 1999-07-30 · NHTSA complaint #843854

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

199927
200043
200141
200223
200334
200424
200515
20067
20077
20084
20093
20103
20112
20133
20141
20161
20172
20191

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 1,693 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Cavalier has 187 complaints (25 years in the data). This year has 240, above average.

What to check before buying

Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 240. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (6%), knocking, grinding or other noise (5%), warning lights, check engine (5%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1999 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.