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1997 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

13 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Chevrolet been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Chevrolet dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls, newest first

May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E02500042,540 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Headlights

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Dope, Inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, Inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, Inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 7, 2009NHTSA 09E01200016,270 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 17, 2008NHTSA 08E0630003,855 vehicles potentially affected

Steering

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of September 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
Consequence
If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 26, 2007NHTSA 07E0150003,124 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister may leak fuel.
Consequence
A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. A fuel leak can result in a fire.
Remedy
Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E04900027,176 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 23, 2006NHTSA 06E02600061,944 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 4, 2002NHTSA 02V2860001,159,156 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Rack and pinion

Summary
Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Consequence
If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 6, 2002NHTSA 02V0700001,589,948 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

Summary
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Consequence
If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
Remedy
Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 15, 1998NHTSA 98V31900027,083 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Consequence
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 29, 1998NHTSA 98V146000675,302 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Consequence
Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
Remedy
Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 25, 1998NHTSA 98V0320008 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 214, "side door strength."
Consequence
In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 28, 1997NHTSA 97V106000652 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Space saver wheel

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Consequence
A rapid loss of air can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 29, 1996NHTSA 96V16000050 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer

Summary
These vehicles were built with an incorrect wiper blade assembly (17" long instead of 22" long) on the driver's side. This does not comply with FMVSS no. 104, "windshield wiping and washing systems."
Consequence
The area and pattern wiped on the windshield will be reduced and could affect the driver's view in wet weather increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for the correct wiper blade assembly and install a correct length wiper blade assembly.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 540 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
70
Fires reported
25
Injuries reported
78
Deaths reported
5

Most complained-about components

  1. Service brakes75
  2. Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline47
  3. Air bags › Frontal44
  4. Steering › Rack and pinion36
  5. Air bags32

Other Chevrolet Cavalier years

Other 1997 Chevrolet models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

  1. 1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
  2. 1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
  3. 1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
  4. 1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
  5. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)
All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
13 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: exterior lighting, steering, fuel system, gasoline, electrical system, suspension, air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Chevrolet dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
540 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.