How many recalls does the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Of 21 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 199,428 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 86V131000 1986-09-19 106,111 affected

Defect

THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF…

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 86V056000 1986-04-28 93,317 affected

Defect

THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF…

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEATS

121

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Total complaints21

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“On my 1986 chevy cavalier z24 v6 if the engine is off or on the digital dash the lights go out and so does the dome light if the head light is push o panel or both.*tr”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2009-05-24

“Consumer states that the spare tire on the vehicle has crack marks all over the tire. Contacted dealer and the dealer is not willing to do anything. Mr”

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · reported 2002-06-02

“Adjusted steering column is coming loose at collapse/hinge area due to looseness of bolts. This causes mechanism not to work properly on steering column resulting in loss of control. *ak”

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · reported 2001-01-01

“Back of drivers seat went down, and driver hit a cement wall and flipped car over. *ak”

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · reported 1999-03-18

“Vehicle caught onn fire. Cause unknown.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1998-03-29

“Erratic operation of dashboard, console loses proper reading. *ak”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 1996-09-23

“Shoulder belt harness fails to operate properly, will not pull out to lock/ latch to buckle. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 1996-09-04

“Vehicle fire.(ohio state police report)”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1996-08-22

Defect investigations

Investigation EA87006 Opened 1986-12-16 · closed 1988-09-19

POWER ST. ASSIST

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.