1987 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…
What could happen: 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.
The 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).
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CAVALIER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E043000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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).
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FRAM FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY CONTAIN WATER WHICH COULD FREEZE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED CAUSING TRAVEL OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE TO BECOME RESTRICTED WHEN THROTTLE IS INITIALLY OPENED.
What could happen: ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSSOF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CAVALIER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V011000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY CONTAIN WATER WHICH COULD FREEZE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED CAUSING TRAVEL OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE TO BECOME RESTRICTED WHEN THROTTLE IS INITIALLY OPENED.
Consequence: ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSSOF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0L ENGINES.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. PARKING BRAKE LEVER MECHANISMS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLE COULD UNEXPECTEDLY ROLL AWAY UNCONTROLLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
What could happen:
The fix: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CAVALIER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V128000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Summary: PARKING BRAKE LEVER MECHANISMS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLE COULD UNEXPECTEDLY ROLL AWAY UNCONTROLLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence:
Remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES/FMVSS 105. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (7), Seat belts (6), Vehicle Speed Control (3), Wheels / tires (2), Seats (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/10/2004 · Wheels / tires
I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY EVENING. I WAS DOING BETWEEN 35 - 40 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK MY TIRES FOR A FLAT OR SEE IF SOMETHING WAS HANGING BELOW MY CAR. NO FLAT, NOTHING HANGING. BUT MY TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM MY TIRE. I PURCHASED THOSE TIRES BRAND NEW FROM FIRESTONE ON 05/24/2002. *AK
01/23/2003 · Wheels / tires · crash
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING CONSTANT BLOWOUTS AND FLATS WITH THE TIRES. ONE INCIDENT LED TO THE VEHICLE SLAMMING INTO A STREET CURB. *JG
09/20/2000 · Seat belts
BELT THAT HOLDS DRIVERS SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE SOMETIMES WILL NOT PULL OUT.
08/10/1998 · Steering
THE BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN ARE LOOSE, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
04/24/1998 · Seats · crash
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND WAS HIT FROM REAR BY A PICKUP TRUCK, RESULTING IN THE REAR BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BREAKING, AND CONSUMER WAS IN A RECLINING POSITION, NOT ABLE TO GET THE SEAT UP OR SEE THE ROAD. ONLY THE LAP PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS HOLDING HER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED CONCERNING INCIDENT. *AK
12/16/1997 · Body / structure
DOOR HINGE SEPERATED FROM MOUNTING PLATE IN DOOR.
10/15/1997 · Brakes
BRAKES FAIL AT TIMES. YH
02/28/1997 · Brakes
BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTED SINCE PURCHASE.