The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,095 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
REPLACE FUEL TANK.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“I purchased four firehawk ss20 p215/60r14 rwl tires for my 89 cavalierz24 on 04/19/01 in jacksonville fl. At store #005770 or #018538-there are two numbers. They have been rotated twice since then. Recently, I have noticed that one of my tires is separating above the white letters in perfect…”
“The door frame on the drivers side of this vehicle has cracks extending out in all directions from the drill hole for the striker. This presents a serious safety hazard to the owners of these vehicles. Should the vehicle(for instance)be hit broadside on the drivers rear quarter (just behind the…”
“As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. Because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I…”
“As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. Because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I…”
“As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. Because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I…”
“As I was driving down us 95 north in las vegas at 65 mph, the ignition suddenly turned off and left me coasting with no power steering or brakes. I was in the exit lane. Because it was a manual transmission, I was able to depress the clutch and turn the key and engine fired right up again before I…”
“When I come to a sudden stop or push my brakes to a certain part down, the car dies. Also on the recall of the fuel tank because the dealerships computer did not go that far back on the model they would'nt do it.the dealer was karnes in somerset ky.”
“When I come to a sudden stop or push my brakes to a certain part down, the car dies. Also on the recall of the fuel tank because the dealerships computer did not go that far back on the model they would'nt do it.the dealer was karnes in somerset ky.”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.