RecallMyCar

1983 Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA
0 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire

5 safety recalls for the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 87V165000 Reported 126,319 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Internal corrosion of pulsair check valve assembly could permit exhaust gas to melt the plastic shut off valve and draw valve pieces into the air cleaner and throttle body.

    Remedy: Replace pulsair check valve and shut off valve with newly designed valves.

  2. Seats

    NHTSA 87V079000 Reported 1,136,407 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The metal floor pan anchor bar could fatigue and break around the left front outer seat adjuster stud of the drivers seat, allowing the stud to separate from the floor pan anchor bar.

    Remedy: Install a reinforcement bracket on the floor pan anchor bar at the left front outer seat adjuster position of the drivers seat.

  3. Differential proportional valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 83V105000 Reported 352,036 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The brake proportioner valves may break and separate from the master cylinder. This would allow brake fluid to leak and would result in a partial loss of the brake system.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace all suspect valves.

  4. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 83V042000 Reported 312 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The left front suspension control arm which supports the front wheel, brake and steering assembly, may come loose at its mounting bracket. This is due to possible inadequate welding of the bracket.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the left front suspension support assembly at no cost.

  5. Injectors (fuel system)

    NHTSA 82V096000 Reported 12,721 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Possible fuel leakage could occur at the throttle body injection fuel feed pipe connection on the involved vehicles.

    Remedy: The fuel feed line fitting bolt and two washers will be replaced by the dealer at no cost to owner.

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The engine overheated and flames began to come from under the hood, the plastic overflow tank was melted and the plastic cap melted. (ohio traffic crash report) nlm”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 20, 2000 · Engine and engine cooling

“#2 piston broke between oil ring slot and compression ring slot causing engine failure.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 8, 1998 · Engine and engine cooling

Compare Chevrolet Cavalier model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Cavalier model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1982 Chevrolet Cavalier11
1983 Chevrolet Cavalier53
1984 Chevrolet Cavalier28
1985 Chevrolet Cavalier24
1986 Chevrolet Cavalier218
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier224
1988 Chevrolet Cavalier212
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier143
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier055
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier255
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier1134
1993 Chevrolet Cavalier1146
1994 Chevrolet Cavalier1212
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier4270
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier7503
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier7540
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier4345
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier2240
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier2315
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier1243
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier0196
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier1678
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier1330
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier0287

Checking a specific 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier

How do I know if my 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 82V096000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.