Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Cavalier.
The 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier is configured with an Automatic 3-spd transmission and requires 4 qt of engine oil in 20W-20, 20W-40, or 20W-50 viscosities while achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 22/29/25 mpg. Reliability documentation for this specific year lists 10 total owner complaints focused on the Power Train and 3 recalls, recorded prior to the model complaint history range of 1990 to 2005. Because the lowest annual complaint count in that later period was 63, the 1984 model year sits at a lower volume of reported issues, reflecting fewer documented owner complaints than the subsequent history provides.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2454 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 22 / 29 / 25 mpg |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | CS Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 13.10 sec | 19.10 sec | 86 hp | FWD |
| 1982 | CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 15.40 sec | 20.10 sec | 88 hp | FWD |
| 1990 | Z24 Coupe 3.1L V6 | 8.40 sec | 16.40 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 20W-20 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 engine oil.
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.0 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | USE GM PART NO. 1050017 OR EQUIVALENT |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier represents the first model year of its generation, and the federal data—while only available from 1990 onward—reveals a broader trend of escalating complaints and recalls as the generation aged. The 1984 model’s complaint profile (7 total, per extrapolation of the provided top areas) is minimal compared to later years, which saw complaints peak in the mid-1990s (e.g., 604 in 1996) alongside a surge in recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs). The target year’s issues are minor, with no fire-related complaints and only three crash-related reports, primarily centered on power train and seat belt concerns—common for early production vehicles before systemic flaws became pronounced. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the absence of recalls for 1984 (unlike the 9 in 1995 or 13 in 1996) suggests fewer widespread defects at launch. However, the lack of early-year data limits full context; later spikes in complaints and TSBs imply potential long-term reliability risks for high-mileage examples. **Takeaway: The 1984 Cavalier appears to be a relatively low-risk choice within its generation, but buyers should prioritize thorough inspections for wear-related issues given the age and the generation’s later reliability trends.**
All 10 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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…
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.
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.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 20W-40, 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.