ChevroletCavalier1998Overview/chevrolet/cavalier/1998/base/

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Cavalier.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier is a passenger car whose powertrain maintenance centers on a 4.5-quart sump filled with 5W-30 API oil, and its 384 owner complaints alongside 11 recalls position it squarely in the middle of the model's 1990–2005 complaint history. That tally sits well above the 1990 low of 63 complaints yet far below the 2003 peak of 705, with electrical system faults emerging as the dominant trouble area. Taken together, the recall volume and complaint trajectory indicate that the 1998 model year represents a period of escalating but not yet cresting reliability concerns within the Cavalier's lifecycle — a useful midpoint for researchers studying the platform's long-term durability trends.

Model year202420232021202020192005200420031998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeBASE P195/70R14; CONVERTIBLE P195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ, 6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731172 alt 12731175
Engine air filter24577608
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug19158037 alt 19301812
Front wiper blades22711469 discontinued · alt 22711468
Serpentine belt88984195 alt 88984192
Thermostat24577288 alt 24577118

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2899 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 56.7 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

7.9–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2003 LS Sport Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1996LS Sedan 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.10 sec150 hpFWD
1995LS Sedan 2.2L I-410.10 sec17.30 sec120 hpFWD
2003LS Sport Coupe 2.2L I-47.90 sec16.10 sec140 hpFWD
1990Z24 Coupe 3.1L V68.40 sec16.40 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.5 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)77 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)52 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts77 code H ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs, 90 degrees ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub144 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-8000 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-8000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeGM part number 12345923 or equivalent.
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number75

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)40.5-47

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.786 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.786 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.751 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
1long bolts 46 ft. lbs.; short bolts 43 ft. lbs.46 ft. lbs
290
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
1bolts 1-840 ft. lbs
2turn 90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier sits at a pivotal downward turn in its generation's federal record, marking a steep decline in complaints from the peak years of 1996 (604) and 1997 (599) down to 384. While complaint volume improved, the 1998 model still carries a high recall count of 11, nearly mirroring the 13 recalls of the preceding two years, even as federal investigations dropped to zero. The primary complaint areas for 1998 are the Electrical System (54), Steering (45), Service Brakes Hydraulic (42), and Engine & Engine Cooling (42), alongside 39 crash and 10 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. Because 1998 represents the initial stabilization of the generation's worst reliability arc rather than a flawless year, it is a better buy than the preceding 1996-1997 models, provided you verify that all 11 recalls have been completed and closely inspect the electrical and steering systems.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
122
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
384
Owner complaints
39 involved a crash · 10 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 384 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System54
Steering45
Service Brakes, Hydraulic42
Engine & Engine Cooling42
Air Bags29
Structure20
Visibility12
Exterior Lighting11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

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… 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.

08E063000SteeringReported 17/10/2008

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"… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 122 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
17-NA-0732023-02-21EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F2022-01-14Service Brakes, HydraulicThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D2020-01-31Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA2732019-12-02Electrical SystemThis informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cavalier. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Cavalier take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Cavalier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.