Chevrolet›Cavalier›1989›Overview/chevrolet/cavalier/1989/base/

1989 Chevrolet Cavalier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Cavalier.

The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier is the model-year entry in the Cavalier line, and its maintenance spec calls for a 4-quart 5W-30 API oil fill. Owner-reported reliability records show 63 total complaints, with Engine & Engine Cooling ranking as the top complaint area and 2 recalls on file. Within the 1990–2005 Cavalier complaint history, that 63-complaint count equals the lowest volume recorded for 1990 and sits far below the 705-complaint peak logged for 2003. That positioning places the 1989 model at the quieter end of the Cavalier reliability spectrum, indicating fewer reported issues than the later iterations that dominate the complaint record.

Model year202420232021202020192005200420031989

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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 alt 22110234
Serpentine belt14090086 alt 88986827
Thermostat24507563 alt 10045126

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2359 lb
Track (front / rear)55.5 / 55.1 in
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
1995LS Sedan 2.2L I-410.10 sec17.30 sec120 hpFWD
1982CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe 1.8L I-415.40 sec20.10 sec88 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
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

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 federal complaint data supplied begins in 1990, showing 63 complaints and 1 recall for that year. Complaints then rise steadily, reaching 210 in 1992, 356 in 1995, and a peak of 705 in 2003 before fluctuating. Recalls also increase over the period, from 1 in 1990 to a high of 13 in 1996‑1997, then decline to low single digits by 2005. Because no federal record is provided for the 1989 model year, its complaint and recall levels cannot be directly compared to this trend. Absent specific 1989 data, the available record does not support a definitive conclusion; prospective buyers should seek additional sources before judging the 1989 Cavalier’s reliability.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
63
Owner complaints
2 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 63 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling11
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Visibility5
Structure4
Electrical System4
Power Train4
Steering4
Seat Belts4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

88V189000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 06/12/1988

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION. Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.

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 1989 Cavalier take?

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

Does the 1989 Cavalier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.