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1988 Chevrolet Cavalier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Cavalier.

The 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier uses a 4‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API viscosity, and it recorded 12 owner complaints, with the electrical system identified as the primary complaint area and three recall campaigns issued. Complaint data for the broader Cavalier line spans 1990‑2005, reaching a peak of 705 complaints in 2003 and a low of 63 in 1990, placing the 1988 model’s 12 complaints at the lower end of the historical spectrum.

Model year202420232021202020192005200420031988

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12737092. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12737092 alt 12737090
Engine air filter25043504 alt 25043119
Fuel filter25171792 discontinued
Spark plug19354418
Front wiper blades15184702
Serpentine belt14090086 alt 88986811
Thermostat24507563 alt 10045126

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.3 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height50.4 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2359 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)65/35

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.

8.3–15.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 1996 LS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1990Z24 Coupe 3.1L V68.40 sec16.40 sec140 hpFWD
1983CS Sedan 2.0L I-413.10 sec19.10 sec86 hpFWD
1982CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe 1.8L I-415.40 sec20.10 sec88 hpFWD
1995LS Sedan 2.2L I-410.10 sec17.30 sec120 hpFWD
1996LS Sedan 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.10 sec150 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1050017 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

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 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier sits at the beginning of a decade-long trend of escalating complaints and recalls that peaks in the mid‑1990s. In the year-by-year record, complaints rise from 63 in 1990 to a high of 604 in 1996, while recalls climb from 1 to 13 in that same span, indicating growing safety and quality issues as the generation ages. The 1988 model, although not represented in the provided data, would be positioned at the start of this upward trajectory, suggesting it likely had fewer reported problems than later years but still faced emerging issues. For the 1988 year, the most common complaint areas were electrical (3), visibility (2), steering (2), and exterior lighting (1), with only a single crash and fire complaint recorded. Given the early position in the trend and the relatively low number of complaints, a well‑maintained 1988 Cavalier could still be a reasonable purchase, but buyers should verify the vehicle’s electrical and lighting systems before buying.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3
Visibility2
Steering2
Exterior Lighting1
Wheels1
Suspension1
Seat Belts1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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…

88V095000Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/TrunkReported 14/06/1988

REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION. Remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
0005240012000-04-01Service Brakes, HydraulicINFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

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.

Vehicles taking 4 qtEngine oil filter 12737092Engine air filter 25043504Fuel filter 25171792Spark plug 19354418

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1988 Cavalier take?

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

Does the 1988 Cavalier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.