Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Cavalier.
The 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier records exactly one owner complaint focused on vehicle speed control alongside a single recall, establishing a specific reliability snapshot for this model year. These figures stand apart from the broader model complaint history covered between 1990 and 2005, where reported complaints ranged from a low of 63 to a high of 705. This positions the 1982 model outside the documented 1990 to 2005 history, indicating its place in the model's reliability history is defined by isolated data rather than the broader complaint volumes.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 170.5 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 51.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Cavalier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 15.40 sec | 20.10 sec | 88 hp | FWD |
| 1983 | CS Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 13.10 sec | 19.10 sec | 86 hp | FWD |
| 1990 | Z24 Coupe 3.1L V6 | 8.40 sec | 16.40 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier represents the first model year of its generation, and the federal data—while only available for later years—reveals a clear trend: complaints and recalls tend to escalate as a generation matures, peaking mid-cycle before gradually declining. The 1982 model’s single recorded complaint (related to vehicle speed control) and absence of recalls, crashes, or fire reports suggest it sits at the low-risk end of the spectrum, particularly when compared to the sharp rise in complaints and recalls seen in later years (e.g., 1995–1997, with recalls peaking at 13). This aligns with typical first-year production, where issues are often fewer but less documented due to lower initial sales volume. However, the lack of data on root causes or widespread problems implies potential unknowns, as early models may not yet exhibit the wear-related failures that trigger later investigations. Given its position as a foundational year with minimal reported issues, the 1982 Cavalier appears to be a relatively sound choice for a used purchase—assuming proper maintenance records are available.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
UNDER CERTAAIN CONDITIONS, THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK FILLER VENT PIPE COULD FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE OF THESE CLAMPS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AT ANY OF THE FOUR PIPE TO HOSE CONNECTIONS… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND VENT PIPE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.