1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls 1
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.
Fix: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION Closed
NHTSA #DP94004 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jun 1994 · closed Aug 1994ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE94031 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 1994 · closed Jul 1994An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 17
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.
ABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT
Bulletin 00966B · Service Brakes, Air · Jan 2004ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT
Bulletin 00966 · Service Brakes, Air · Jan 2004OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *…
Bulletin 990730030A · Power Train · Apr 2001INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
Bulletin 000524001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS. *TT
Bulletin 990941004 · Air Bags · Jan 2000GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO REQUESTED THEM. *TT
Bulletin 990940004 · Seats · Jan 2000THIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT. *TT
Bulletin 990866002A · Latches/locks/linkages · Jan 2000SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT
Bulletin 990730030 · Power Train · Dec 1999SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEX…
Bulletin 876002A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1998VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLATTERING NOISE AT IDLE SPEED ORIGINATING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND FRONT COVER AREA. *YC
Bulletin 98876121A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CAVALIER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Structure
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IN THESE VEHICLES MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CONDITION IN WHICH THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER. IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WERE ALSO NOT ENGAGED, HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WILL BE INSTA…
Transport Canada #1991133 · Sep 1991Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, including three generations sold in North America from model years 1982 to 2005, a version produced by SAIC-GM for China from 2016 to 2021, and a SAIC-GM version produced for Mexico since the 2019 model year.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.