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1983 Chevrolet Cavalier Base

The 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier Base is an 86-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $6,362 MSRP.

It makes 86 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque.

The Cavalier measures 174.5 inches long on a 101.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,396 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$6,362 ($20,760 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.0L Inline-4 (LQ5)
Displacement2 L
Horsepower86 hp
Torque110 lb-ft
ValvetrainOHV
Bore and Stroke89 x 80 mm (3.50 x 3.15 in)
Compression Ratio9.3
Injection TypeThrottle-Body Fuel Injection (TBI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed Manual
Fuel Economy
Tank Capacity13.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson struts, lower control arms, coil springs, front stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionSolid beam axle, trailing arms, variable-rate coil springs
Turning Diameter34.7 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVented Discs, 9.72 in
Rear Brake DiscDrums, 7.87 in
Tires & Wheels
Tires Front175/80 R13
Tires Rear175/80 R13
Dimensions & Weight
Length174.5 in
Width66 in
Height52 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Front Track55.35 in
Rear Track55.16 in
Ground Clearance6.77 in
Cargo Volume13.6 ft³
Curb Weight2,396 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1983 Chevrolet CAVALIER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 19, 2006 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

NHTSA campaign 06E043000

Oct 26, 1987 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

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.

Consequence: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.

NHTSA campaign 87V165000

May 7, 1987 · SEATS

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.

Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA campaign 87V079000

Oct 13, 1983 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

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.

NHTSA campaign 83V105000

Apr 19, 1983 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM

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.

NHTSA campaign 83V042000

Oct 7, 1982 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

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.

NHTSA campaign 82V096000

3 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1983 Chevrolet CAVALIER

Owner Complaints

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Chevrolet CAVALIER (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Vehicle Speed Control1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 20, 2000 · Engine And Engine Cooling Fire
“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”
Mar 8, 1998 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“#2 PISTON BROKE BETWEEN OIL RING SLOT AND COMPRESSION RING SLOT CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE.”
Aug 25, 1995 · Vehicle Speed Control
“PLASTIC VALVE MELTED/LODGED AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1983 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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