Safety ratings
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 2491
Full test report (PDF) ↗Crash test #2NHTSA test 2754
Full test report (PDF) ↗Recalls (13)
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERCampaign 96V160000 · 29/08/1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."
Risk: THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY.
- AIR BAGSCampaign 98V146000 · 29/06/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Risk: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
- WHEELS:SPACE SAVER WHEELCampaign 97V106000 · 28/06/1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Risk: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 07E015000 · 26/02/2007
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
- STRUCTURE:BODYCampaign 98V032000 · 25/02/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 06E049000 · 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 AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 06E026000 · 23/03/2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
- STEERINGCampaign 08E063000 · 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" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
- SUSPENSION:REARCampaign 98V319000 · 15/12/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSCampaign 09E025000 · 11/05/2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHCampaign 02V070000 · 06/03/2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
- STEERING:RACK AND PINIONCampaign 02V286000 · 04/11/2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM99
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING98
- STEERING76
- AIR BAGS70
- SERVICE BRAKES59
- HYDRAULIC51
- VISIBILITY35
- POWER TRAIN25
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STALL AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL MODULE WHICH HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. LATEST REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS FOR A SHORT IN THE PCM IGNITION CIRCUIT, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
- 12/30/1997· AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WITHOUT VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 12/26/2001· STEERING
ON 12/2/98 AT 26,332 MILES I REPORTED A GRINDING AND THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AND THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 6/29/99 AT 34, 556 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND GIVEN A LOANER CAR. AGAIN THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY. ON 11/15/00, AT 60,152 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE EXACT SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. THIS TIME HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON 2/15/01 AT 64,434 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD UPON TURNING AND ASKED THAT THE CAR BE CHECKED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE IN THE STEERING SINCE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE EXACT SAME NOISE AS THE PRIOR TWO TIMES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ON 11/21/01, AT 81,218 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING, AS IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND CONTINUED TO MAKE ME VERY UNEASY AS TO THE CARS SAFETY. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT YES, NOW THE RACK AGAIN NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
- 12/23/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 1999. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWELVE INCIDENTS WITH THE FAILURE OF MY TAIL LIGHTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME TYPE OF SHORTAGE IN THE LINE BECAUSE I HAVE PURCHASED MORE BULBS THAN I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER. I HAVE ALSO RECEIVED ONE CITATION AS WELL AS TWO WARNINGS IN REFERENCE TO THE BROKEN TAIL LIGHT. RECENTLY I SAW THAT THE MORE NEWER MODELS OF THE CAVALIER HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE TAIL LIGHT BUT NOT THE LATER ONES. HOPEFULLY THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING.*AK
- 12/23/2003· AIR BAGS
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
- 12/20/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
CAR RADIATOR FAN WON'T KICK ON CAUSE CAR TO GET VERY DANGEROUSLY HOT CAUSING CAR TO BECOME A BOMB
- 12/20/2000· AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN ACTIVED BY ITSELF AT NON STOP UNTIL IT DID NOT WORK ANY MORE. THEN, EVERY NIGHT HORN USED TO GO OFF IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT. PRESENTLY, AIR BAG IS SHOWING PUNCTURED PROBLEMS. *AK
- 12/19/1997· STEERING
TEETH INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ARE STRIPPED OUT . WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED, THE STEERING WHEEL POPS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
- 12/18/2002· STEERING
WHEN YOU DRIVE IT THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR FEET LIKE FRONT END IS LOOSE
- 12/17/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I PEVIOUSLY CALLED THIS IN BUT JUST RECEIVED IT THRU THE MAIL AND IT WAS NOT CORRECT. WHAT HAPPENED WAS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 7 MINUTES, IT WAS VERY LOW ON GAS I HAVE NEVER LET IT GET THAT LOW BEFORE, THE ROAD CURVED THEN CAME TO A STOP SIGN WHEN I DID STOP THE LIGHT THAT SAID "CHECK GAGES" CAME ON, I LOOKED THE ONLY GAGE THAT WAS LOW WAS THE GAS I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 2-4 MORE MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION. I PULLED IT STOPPED, TURNED OFF CAR, GOT OUT MY CREDIT CARD "TEXACO" PUT IT IN THE SLOT, WAITED FOR IT TO APPROVE, PULLED OUT PUMP, PRESSED BUTTON, UNCAPPED MY GAS TANK, PUT IN PUMP AND PRESSED THE HANDLE SO IT WOULD PUMP AUTOMATICALLY, WENT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR PUT MY CREDIT CARD BACK IN MY PURSE, CAME BACK AROUND TO PUMP AND STARTED TO HOLD THE HANDLE DOWN SO IT WOULD PUMP FASTER, ALL THE SUDDEN FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK, I YANKED OUT PUMPED AND MOVED AWAY. THE EMPLOYEES AT THE STATION CAME OUT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE POLICE SHOWED UP BUT DID NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS EXCEPT WAS THAT MY CAR AND WAS I ALRIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND LOOKED AROUND I GUESS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THEY DID MAKE A REMARK ABOUT POSSIBLY THE GAS TANK WAS NOT GROUNDED, WHICH COULD OF CAUSED IT TO GET VERY HOT BECAUSE IT WAS LOW ON GAS. BUT AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE A FORENSIC MECHANIC WITH THEM TO LOOK OVER THE CAR, SO THAT WAS MORE OR LESS A "GUESS" ON THEIR PART. I THEN FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF A TOW TRUCK SO THAT THEY COULD TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REFERENCE NO. FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONAIRE THAT WAS MAILED TO ME IS 831265.
- 12/17/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
ABS BRAKES SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING CAR TO SKID, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES.
- 12/16/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. CAR HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC YET. I'VE HAD TO FILL THE RADIATOR WITH FLUID SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. THE LEAK IS BECOMING FASTER NOW, AS I'VE HAD TO FILL IT UP TWO TIMES IN THE PAST 4 DAYS.
- 12/15/2008· STRUCTURE
MY CAVALIER FRAME ROTTED AND BROKE. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS DO TO THE FACT THAT I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
- 12/15/2008· STRUCTURE
MY SUB-FRAME HAS BROKEN TWICE ON MY CAVALIER. I DON'T WANT TO REPAIR IT ANYMORE!!! *TR
- 12/15/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 12/15/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING 6 HOURS OR LONGER. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND EACH MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WAS CONSISTENT.*AK
- 12/15/1997· STEERING
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP PRIOR TO RECALL.
- 12/14/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED H THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH HE TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH. THE CONTACT TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SHOULD MANUALLY TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HOWEVER, THESE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AS A RESULT, HE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. AFTERWARDS, HE PULLED THE FUSE AND DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
- 12/13/2004· STEERING,AIR BAGSCrash
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN 97 CAVALIER, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN EXTREME INJURIES. *BF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V286000. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE STRIKING THE CONSUMERS LEFT EYE. *TC *JB
- 12/13/1999· STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED HIGH PRESSURE LINE FAILURE, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
- 12/12/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IDLING AND WITHOUT WARNING , DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE POSITIONING CENTER, AND REPROGRAMMED PCM, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURRING, AND CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
- 12/12/1998· EQUIPMENT
IN NORMAL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION OF LUG NUTS USING TOOLS SUPPLIED WITH VEHICLE, I PERSONALLY HAVE BROKEN 6 OF THE LUG BOLTS OFF. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, NOT ONE OF THE WHEELS HAS BEEN PUT ON OR REMOVED WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THATS THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD HAVE BEEN STRESSED LIKE THIS. I WAS NOT, ON ANY OF THE 6 LUGS, PLACING UNDUE PRESSURE NOR WAS I USING "CHEATERS" OR ANY SUCH THING. IN THE NORMAL WAY YOU WOULD REMOVE A TIRE WHEN ROTATING OR CHANGING TO THE SPAIR THEY BROKE. THIS HAS HAPPEND ON 3 SEPERATE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE: 3 LUGS DRIVERS SIDE FRONT, 2 DRIVERS SIDE REAR AND 1 PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE LUG BOLTS.
- 12/11/2002· STEERING
CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. WHEN CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT ALSO LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
- 12/07/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ONE AFTERNOON WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER DOING SOME SHOPPING TO FIND BOTH DOORS COMPLETELY AJAR. WE KNEW THAT WE HAD CLOSED THEM BEFORE LEAVING SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY STRANGE. WE GOT IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOORS AND THEY KEPT SWINGING OPEN. NEITHER DOOR WOULD CLOSE. WE HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOORS CLOSED. ONCE HOME WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DOORS TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING IT. THE DRIVER DOOR TURNED OUT TO BE FIXABLE, FOR THE TIME BEING, THE THING THAT LATCHES THE DOOR WAS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION SO WE JUST OPENED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE PASSENGER DOOR, WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT AT ALL. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED CLOSING ALL TOGETHER AS WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DOORS FIXED BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO JUST TAKE IT IN AND HAVE IT DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
- 12/06/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE CALLED THIS MORNING (12/06/00) TO NHTSA, YOU SAID YOU WILL SEND ME A FORM TO FILL OUT. BUT THEN I GOT INTO THIS WEBSITE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO FILE AND DOCUMENT ASAP BECASUE I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. I AM SURE MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT OR PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. THE PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED IN EARLY JULY/00: SOON AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WARNING LIGHTS (OIL PRESSURE AND CHARGING SYSTEM) LIT UP AND THE CAR STALLED AND LOST POWER. POWER BRAKE WAS GONE, AND I WAS HEADING DOWN A STEEP SLOPE! LUCKILY I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I CAN RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE ON. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES MORE AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK. IT CANNOT REPEAT THE CONDITION, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. FOR THE NEXT SHORT WHILE NOTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENED, ALTHOUGH SEVERAL TIMES 2 OTHER WARNING LAMPS WILL LIT UP (ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM OFF AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR). I CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BUT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF, AND I CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT... ON THE NIGHT OF 11/28/00, THE SAME DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN A COMPUTER TEST ON MY CAR, AND FOUND TAHT FAULTY CODE #704 HAD OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY IN MY TRANSMISION SYSTEM. BUT AGAIN, THE MECHANIC CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION, SO CANNOT FIX ANYTHING. I CALLED GM'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO. THE ADVICE IS THAT THERE IS NO SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED. AND I JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CONDITION TO HAPPEN AGAIN SOMEHOW. BUT THE DILEMMA IS THAT EVEN IF THE STALLING HAPPENS, THE CAR CAN RESTART, THEN THE CONDITION WILL NOT EXIST AND EVEN IF I BRING/TOW IT TO THE DEALER, THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT TO FIX!! SO I HAVE NO RECOURSE TO TAKE EXCEPT TO DRIVE THE CAR AROUND WITH THIS DANGER ON MY MIND ALL THE TIME! THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED OR THE MATTER RESOLVED, I WOULD THINK/HOPE? THANKYOU.
- 12/05/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS ALL THE TIME. WAS TOLD HAVE TWO LEAKS IN FUEL INJECTOR. *JB
- 12/05/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HORN DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, A FRIEND RECENTLY RENTED A 2001 OR 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAS THIS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER CHEVROLETS? DEFINITELY COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD!! *AK
- 12/04/2002· STEERING
WHEN TURN STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT THERE IS A CRANCKING NOISE. PERSONAL AUTO MACHANIC HAS SAID PROBLEM IS IN POWER RACK AND PINION BEARINGS. DT
- 12/04/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUCKS AT ONE POINT AS IF IT LACKS GAS AND IT ALSO STALLS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER RECIEVED RECALL TO REPLACED PCM. PCM REPLACED 4 TIMES HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TT
- 12/04/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING INACCURATE READING OF THE ODOMETER/FUEL GAUGE, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. ALSO THERE IS A TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED PISTON RINGS AND RODS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INCORRECT SIZE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/04/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
- 12/03/2002· AIR BAGS
AFTER RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG WAS COMPLETED THE REMEDY FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUAFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. TS
- 12/02/1999· VISIBILITY
NO SUMMARY
- 12/02/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN FAILED.
- 11/29/1999· AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPERIENCED FALSE/PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). YH MJS
- 11/25/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE FAILED.
- 11/24/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLING. SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. ERROR CODES P0 171 AND P0 507, REPAIRS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *AK
- 11/24/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire
WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER SAID NO FAULTY PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 11/24/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire
WHILE DRIVING LOW ON GAS AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO GO THE GAS STATION. WHILE THE CONSUMER PUT THE PUMP INTO THE TANK, THERE WERE FUMES COMING FROM THE GAS TANK, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK
- 11/20/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
CONSUMER RECEIVED A BILL FOR CHARGES FOR REPAIRS THAT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR VEHICLE.*MR (NAR) *CB
- 11/20/2000· AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN BRAKING DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK UP AHEAD, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HER, SO SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED INJURYING BOTH PEOPLE, AND IT WAS AFTER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, CONSUMER IS STILL SUFFERING FROM INJURIES, THE DAY AFTER ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 98V146, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED. *SLC
- 11/20/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VISIBILITY
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND HARDLY STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
- 11/20/1998· STEERING
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT/ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND/DUPLICATED AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
- 11/19/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash
COMPLAINT REGARDING 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS. *MR THERE WERE TWO CRASHES. ONE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE OTHER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE DIAGNOSIS INCLUDED PREVIOUS BOTCHED WORKMANSHIP. ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION COULDN'T BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE DUE TO BOTCHED MECHANIC WORK WHICH WAS UNREPORTED TO THE CONSUMER OR WITHIN THE BILL OF SALE. *SCC *JB
- 11/19/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HEARS A SQUEAKY SOUND. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
- 11/19/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHENEVER CONSUMER DRIVES IN RAINY WEATHER ABS SYSTEMS FAILS. IF IT'S RAINING AND CONSUMER IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, IF TRYING TO BRAKE AT APPROX. 5MPH THE ABS KICK IN AND THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SKIP DOWN THE INCLINE . CONSUMER SAYS WHEN THIS HAPPENS SHE IS BARELY PRESSING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER TEST DROVE A NEW VEHICLE OF THAT MAME/MODEL/YEAR IN THE SAME SPOT AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. *AK DEALERS TOLD HER BECAUSE OF THE SAME RESULTS THIS IS NORMAL AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO RICHARDSON BROS. INC. (830-393-2581) (830-216-4216) FIVE TIMES.
- 11/18/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 1987 CHEVY CAVALIAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD CLICKING IN THE CLUSTER AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TURNS ON AND MY FUEL PUMP SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN IN VERY CRITICAL PLACES WHILE THIS SITUATION TAKES PLACE. THE THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT MY VEHICHLE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE INTERSECTION ECT.. I HAVE TRYED TO RESET THIS SYSTEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MANY CHEVY CAVALIARS AND OTHER GM MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SHOULD BE FIXED. I, A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE A UNPREDICTABLE VEHICHLE THAT HAS SECURITY PROBLEMS THAT ARE DUE TO THE ORIGINAL MAKING OF THE SYSTEM. I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS AND AM STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
- 11/18/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
BATTERY LEAKED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF/WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER MOTOR BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 11/17/2000· POWER TRAIN
PCM WAS PART OF A RECALL. HAD REPLACED BUT CAR STILL ATTEMPTS TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED OUT BUT THEY STILL CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE PCM WAS REPLACED. *AK
- 11/16/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IF MOISTURE GETS INTO FUSE BOX, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND RADIO WILL BE INOPERATIVE WHILE IN USE, WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY AND RESULTIN A CRASH. MANUFACTURER NOT CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK