Chevrolet Cavalier vs Volkswagen Golf
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Chevrolet Cavalier
- Total complaints
- 4,616
- Avg per model year
- 203
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 7
- Most complained year
- 2003 (678)
Top problems: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Volkswagen Golf
- Total complaints
- 1,251
- Avg per model year
- 39
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 37
- Most complained year
- 2015 (130)
Top problems: Fuel/propulsion System, Air Bags, Electrical System
Complaints by model year
| Year | Chevrolet Cavalier | Volkswagen Golf | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 287 | 19 | ||
| 2004 | 330 | 28 | ||
| 2003 | 678 | 26 | ||
| 2002 | 196 | 73 | ||
| 2001 | 243 | 116 | ||
| 2000 | 315 | 88 | ||
| 1999 | 240 | 64 | ||
| 1998 | 345 | 18 | ||
| 1997 | 540 | 7 | ||
| 1996 | 503 | 3 | ||
| 1995 | 270 | 43 | ||
| 1994 | 212 | 41 | ||
| 1993 | 146 | 7 | ||
| 1992 | 134 | 6 | ||
| 1991 | 55 | 8 | ||
| 1990 | 55 | 10 | ||
| 1989 | 43 | 17 | ||
| 1988 | 12 | 9 | ||
| 1987 | 24 | 4 | ||
| 1986 | 18 | 13 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.