Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Cavalier.
The 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier enters the reference record as a model whose mechanical upkeep is defined by a 4-quart engine oil capacity, with recommended viscosities spanning 20W-20, 20W-40, and 20W-50 to accommodate different operating conditions. By the metrics captured in the 1990–2005 complaint history that frames this nameplate, the 1983 year itself registers a notably quiet 17 owner complaints alongside six recalls — a subdued start that contrasts sharply with the platform's later turbulence, where the 2003 model year alone logged 705 complaints and engine and engine cooling emerged as the dominant trouble area. In the broader arc of the Cavalier's reliability record, which ranges from a low of 63 complaints in 1990 to that 2003 peak, the 1983 model year stands as the calm opening chapter that researchers should treat as a baseline against which the subsequent escalation in powertrain and cooling concerns can be measured.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2454 lb |
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 |
| 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 federal record begins in 1990, so there are no complaint, recall, investigation, or technical service bulletin figures for the 1983 Cavalier itself. From 1990 onward the data show a clear upward arc in complaints (rising from 63 to a peak of 705 in 2003) and recalls (climbing from 1 to a high of 13 in the mid‑1990s), with investigations remaining low and TSBs increasing steadily. The 1983 model sits before this escalation, implying it escaped the later surge in reported issues that affected subsequent generations. Its top complaint areas—engine cooling, electrical system, speed control, and brakes—each register only a handful of reports, and crash and fire complaints are each limited to a single case. **Takeaway:** because the 1983 Cavalier predates the period of rising problems, it generally appears less prone to the systemic issues that emerged later, making it a relatively safer used‑year choice within the model line.
All 17 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 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 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.