1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls 2
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INSUFFICIENT RETENTION OF THE HORN PAD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE HORN PAD RETENTION CLIPS, INSTALL HORN PAD RETENTION BRACKETS TO THE STEERING WHEEL, REINSTALL THE HORN PAD AND ASSURE THAT THE HORN PAD IS PROPERLY RETAINED.
THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Fix: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
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.
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1993 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 1993 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 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
HORN PAD FALLS OFF Closed
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE DETACHMENT OF THE HORN PAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM SEE EA94-033 ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT.
NHTSA #EA94033 · Electrical System · opened Sep 1994 · closed Mar 1996BRAKE 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 22
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 22.
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 1999CONDITIONS WITH FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT CV BOOT TORN OR CRACKED. *YC
Bulletin 98464102A · Power Train · Oct 1998SOME 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 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CAVALIER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Brakes
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 106 - HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES. REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSES ON CIERA AND CENTURY MAY BE UNDERCURED AND COULD FAIL RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING. CORRECTION: BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DATE CODES AND REPLACED IF THE DATE CODE FALLS WITHIN A SPECIF…
Transport Canada #1993099 · Jul 1993Seats And Restraints
NOTE: FOUR DOOR VEHICLES WITH 2-WAY MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTERS. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 210 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER MACHANISM. AT IT'S MOST REARWARD SEAT POSITION, THE SHOULDER BELT CONTACT POINT IS OUT OF THE CERTIFICATION COMPLIANCE ZONE. CORRECTION: THE INNER TRACK OF THE DRIVER'S…
Transport Canada #1992150 · Nov 1992Source: 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.