1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1994 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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
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.
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1994 Chevrolet Cavaler 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1994 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 1994 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 1994 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
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 1996HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF Closed
NHTSA #PE94042 · Exterior Lighting · opened May 1994 · closed Sep 1994An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 32
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 32.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…
Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Bulletin 130089009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2013ABS 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 2001SERVICE INFORMATION MESSAGE REGARDING 1994 TO 2000 6.5-LITER DIESEL ENGINE ELECTRONIC INJECTION PUMP CORES. *TT
Bulletin 300800 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2000SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING 1994 TO 2000 6.5-LITER DIESEL ENGINE ELECTRONIC INJECTION PUMP CORES. *TT
Bulletin 300800 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2000SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING 1994 TO 2000 6.5-LITER DIESEL ENGINES, RPO L49, L56 AND L65 AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ELECTRONIC PUMP. *TT
Bulletin 300800 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2000Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CAVALIER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
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.