Safety ratings
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 3671
Full test report (PDF) ↗Crash-test footage is converted for smooth playback the first time someone requests it — usually under a minute.
Recalls (6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHCampaign 04V036000 · 27/01/2004
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
- 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICESCampaign 07E021000 · 12/03/2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSCampaign 08E050000 · 11/08/2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
- 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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- SERVICE BRAKES40
- POWER TRAIN34
- HYDRAULIC33
- FUEL SYSTEM31
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
- STEERING28
- GASOLINE22
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/2003· TIRES
GOODYEAR CONQUEST P19570R14 POOR QUALITY TIRES,HAVE HAD 1 TIRE THAT HAD TO BE RELACED BY DEALER BECAUSE SEVERAL STEEL BELTS BROKE.TWO OTHER TIRES WENT FLAT BY HOLES MADE BY SMALL GRAVEL AND ONE OF THE TIRES THAT WAS FLAT HAD 3 OR 4 CRACKES IN THE TREAD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE 4TH TIRE.THESE TIRE HAVE LESS THAN 25000 MILES ON THEM. I BELIEVE THE TIRES HAVE GOT A DEFECT PROBLEM.
- 12/27/2010· TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLAS XTRAC-TRAC TIRES (NA), SIZES P185/75/R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT SUDDENLY. THE TIRE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY LEAKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO ALIGNMENT NEEDED. THE TIRE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WARRANTED UP TO 45,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
- 12/27/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
IN DECEMBER, 2006 I HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN (895.00). 1/10/07 MY IGNITION MODULE AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT (695.45). 5/14/07 MY IGNITION COIL NEEDED REPLACING (252.18). NOVEMBER 8, 2007 I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND VALVE COVER GASKET ($500) I'M AM TIRED OF REPAIRING. IT'S GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S CAUSING MY IGNITION STUFF TO BURN OUT. *TR
- 12/26/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
THE DEFROST WOULDN'T WORK WHEN REALLY RAINY OR COLD AND THIS STARTED IN WINTER OF 2009. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE AC WORKED ONLY WHEN FAN WAS ON MED OR HIGH, BUT FINALLY ONLY ON HIGH. THESE WERE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS: AC DUE TO BLOWER RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND DEFROST CAUSED BY A RESISTOR BURNED OUT. AC STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. IF THIS WASN'T FIXED ANY SOONER COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE I'M SURE. NOW I HAVE TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW THAT I HAVE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. WITH THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAD NO SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. O2 SENSOR REPLACED @ 68,000 AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED @ 56,000 AND THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE REPLACED. *TR
- 12/26/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM NEW AND NOW HAVE 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS VERY HARD TO HEAR WITH THE WINDOW OPEN OR THE RADIO ON AND FIND MYSELF FORGETING TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USING IT TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEARD THE TICKING SOUND. THIS ONLY CONFUSES OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. SHOULD BE RECALLED TO HAVE A FLASHER WITH A HIGHER SOUND LEVEL INSTALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK
- 12/21/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000) AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E026000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
- 12/20/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE.*JB
- 12/19/2002· AIR BAGS
VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS. *JB
- 12/19/2001· SUSPENSION
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
- 12/19/2001· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WINDSHIELD FOGS UP . FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE STATED PLASTIC USED FOR DASHBOARD GIVES OFF FUMES THAT CAUSE THE FOGGING. ONLY REMEDY OFFERED BY DEALER IS FOR CONSUMER TO PURCHASE A SPECIAL CLEANER . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/11/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO WARNING, HARD START ETC. JUST STOPPED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR HAS 66000 MILES AND I PURCHASED IT USED. THE TOTAL COST WAS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP ITSELF COST $489. *TR
- 12/10/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYFire
UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS 20-30 MPH WITH FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON,IT BECAME MORE,AND MORE EVIDENT OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. FIRST THERE WAS AN INCREASING BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. A CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANEL HAS MELTED BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CARPET ITS POSSIBLE THAT IT BEING WINTER MOISTURE FROM MELTED SNOW SOMEHOW MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN, A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SEEMS TO PULL MULTIPLE CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I WANT TO NOTE THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF MY REAR DEFROSTED WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH, I HAD TO PULL THE 30 AMP FUSE THAT STILL HAD A COMPLETE CIRCUIT IN IT! *TR
- 12/06/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
- 12/05/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR WOULD RUN FINE AND THEN NOT START. *AK
- 12/04/2002· POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH REPEATEDLY STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE. TS . THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH CYLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE CLUCTH SLAVE CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED, CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ALSO THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
- 12/03/2005· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT
REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF THE STUFF WRONG. TLC SUCKS. OH YEAH I FORGOT THE SENDING UNIT WILL BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME INN THREE YEARS. *JB
- 12/01/2003· AIR BAGSCrash
I WAS IN A VERY SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAVALIER FLIPPED END OVER END AND ROLLED NUMEROUS TIMES. AT NO TIME DID MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A COMPLETE LOSS. THE ACCIDENT WAS DEEMED AN ACT OF NATURE/GOD. NO AT FAULT. *AK
- 11/29/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON A 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER WITH ONLY 67000 MILES. ESTIMATES FOR PARTS AND LABOR RUN APPROX. 400 - 500 DOLLARS . *TR
- 11/28/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION RATTLE/NOISE; REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID, DID NOT FIX PROBLEM; GM SERVICE WOULD NOT WRITE UP DEFECT AFTER 1ST ATTEMPT: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE; 1ST ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH CYCLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, 2ND ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SLAVE CYCLINDER, 3RD ATTEMPT, REPLACED PRESSURE PLATE, 4TH ATTEMPT COULD NOT REPRODUCE FAILURE, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE, REPLACED IT AND SENDER. DT
- 11/26/2003· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT(2001 Z24 CAVALIER) HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. PISTON RODS FAILING, FUEL PUMP LEAKING, CRANKSHAFT FAILURE, GEAR BOX BENT CAUSING ME TO ONLY START CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CAN'T PARK ON HILLS. ALSO... VALVES HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES, ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKEN, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SUNROOF SHATTERED ON ME... EVERYTHING HAS BROKEN ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME EVEN UNDER WARRANTY... I GOT A LEMON AND THEY WANT ME TO KEEP IT. SO MANY PROBLEMS I CANT LIST THEM ALL... MOST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD SON AND WE JUST GOT THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP AFTER 14 DAYS REPAIR ON A VALVE, AND THE NEXT DAY WE WERE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP ON ME AND BRAKES, AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP US FROM CRASHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AND THE CONNECTED SOME HOSE THEY "FORGOT" TO CONNECT AND TOLD ME TO LEAVE. AFTER WE ALMOST COULD OF DIED, I WILL NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE THAT I AM STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR TOO. I WISH SOMEONE COULD HELP ME! (INCIDENT DATE IS MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE) *LA
- 11/26/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
VEHICLE MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISING TO 200. OCCASIONALLY, THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT. CHECKED WATER IN OVERFLOW, LEVEL WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOW. ADDED SOME ANTI-FREEZE & THEN NOTICED WATER ON THE GROUND AFTER DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2003. THEN THE PROBLEM WAS IT OVERHEATED & RAN OUT OF WATER. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THERE EVEN BEING A PROBLEM. *LA
- 11/24/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK *JB *NM
- 11/22/2002· SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
- 11/22/2002· SUSPENSION
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A PULSATING THROUGH OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
- 11/18/2015· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A FAILURE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC RESET THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
- 11/18/2004· STEERING
CLUNKING FELT IN STEERING WHEN TURNING. *AK
- 11/10/2003· EQUIPMENT
I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I JACKED UP THE CAR USING THE MFG SUPPLIED JACK AT THE CORRECT JACKING POINT. THE JACK BROKE APART, CAUSING CAR TO FALL TO GROUND.*AK
- 11/06/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED IN 2009, ROUGHLY FIVE YEARS AFTER GM'S RECALL. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH'S SERVICE. IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL, GM INSTALLED AN IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. BACK IN 2009, THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION WOULD OVERTURN, AND THEN, THE ENGINE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT-OFF. TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BOTH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $492. IN 2014, THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS. THIS TIME, IT APPEARS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME DAMAGE DUE TO CURRENT FLOW TO THE IGNITION WHEN HOLDING THE KEY IN THE START POSITION. THE HEAT MELTED THE INTERNAL SWITCH. I HAD NOT KNOWN IN 2014 THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN THE SAME YEAR, HOWEVER, GM RECALLED A MASSIVE NUMBER OF VEHICLES FOR IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT. CHEVROLET CAVALIER WAS NOT ON THE LIST. TODAY, IT COSTS $180.00, EXCLUDING TAXES AND FEES, TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH INSTALLED BY A CHEVROLET TECHNICIAN. A LOCKSMITH RATE STARTS AT $90 BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE SERVICE FEE, AND LABOR. BASED ON FEW ONLINE REPORTS, THE INSTALLATION TAKES A MINIMUM OF 20 MINUTES. WOULD INSTALLED THE IGNITION SWITCH MYSELF BUT CANNOT LOCATE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS. ALL THE CHEVROLET MANUALS OWNED DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF I DO INSTALL THE IGNITION SWITCH, I AM UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER WILL NEED REPROGRAMMING. A FEW REPORTS MADE REFERENCE TO REPROGRAMMING THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER FOLLOWING THE CHANGING OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOLUTION: I THINK GM NEEDS TO ADD CHEVROLET CAVALIER TO THE "RECALL" LIST. THE ALTERNATIVE, IGNITION WIRING HARNESS DOES NOT SUPPORT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ENTIRELY WHEN THE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT REMAINS ON THE DASHBOARD.
- 11/06/2014· POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
MY CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN AND BEGAN TO DRAG AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. *TR
- 11/05/2001· POWER TRAIN
THIS CAR CUTS OFF WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE.*AK
- 11/04/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
- 11/03/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH SOMETHING FELL FROM UNDER VEHICLE, HITTING THE LOWER FRAME/BUMPER AND HOOD. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF COMPUTER MODULE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 10/31/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ONCE KEY INSERTED INTO IGNITION, IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN AND STEERING COLUMN IS IN A "LOCKED" POSITION; FRONT WHEELS ARE STRAIGHT AND NOT TURNED LEFT NOR RIGHT. SOME 5 MONTHS AGO THIS HAPPENED AND AFTER SOME 1.5 HOURS OF JIGGLING STEERING WHEEL AND TRYING IGNITION, IT FINALLY STARTED. CAR WAS LEVEL WITH WHEELS FACING STRAIGHT. *NM
- 10/30/2003· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR/HEAT FAN, STEERING COLUMN ,BRAKES, ENGINE. *LA
- 10/30/2003· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
AT 35,500 MILES FRONT STEERING STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHILE TURNING CORNERS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT RESET. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ABS MASTER COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. AND STEERING WAS LUBED. AT 37,000 MILES POPPING CAME BACK, DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. ALSO, AT 45,000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE SHAKING, AFTER INVESTIGATION, MECHANIC STATED THAT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AND AM LOOKING AT HAVING TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AND I ONLY HAVE 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW. THEN TODAY, MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO STAY ON. AM GOING TO HAVE TO GO, ONCE AGAIN, TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR THAT AIRBAGS WON'T INFLATE IN COLLISION. *LA
- 10/29/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREE WAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT TRIES BUT WON'T START. ALL POWER IS WORKING AND STARTER AND ALTERNATOR ARE TRYING TO WORK. *TR
- 10/29/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE IF THE VEHICLE GO OVER 60MPH CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
- 10/29/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
- 10/27/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V036000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS CHARGED FOR LABOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $171.00, AND $156.00 FOR THE PARTS. DONNA WILLIAMS WAS THE CONTACT PERSON AT GWATNEY CHEVROLET, COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS TN 38128, 901-387-2000. *AK *TC
- 10/24/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS WORE EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUNK LIGHT REMAINED ON ALTHOUGH THE TRUNK WAS SHUT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DRAWING TOO MUCH POWER AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BECOME DRAINED. *TS *NLM
- 10/24/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS W/O WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TS
- 10/23/2006· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOTH, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CRAFTMANSHIP AND I WILL NEVER BY A CHEVROLET AGAIN. *NM
- 10/23/2003· PARKING BRAKECrash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND PARK BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. VEHICLE ROLLED BACK ABOUT 30 FEET, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
- 10/23/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK
- 10/22/2004· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30 MPH IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
- 10/20/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
TWO DAYS AGO, MY ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT MY ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODUEL (EBCM) WAS BAD AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW ONE. GIVEN THAT MY CAR IS A 2001 CAVALIER WITH LESS THAN 47,000 MILES, THEY SAID THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL. REPAIRS WILL BE OUTRAGEOUSELY EXPENSIVE.
- 10/17/2003· SUSPENSION
CAR HAS A BROKEN STRUT OR STRUT MOUNT IN THE REAR. DEALER STATES THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS REAR ENDED, WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY, THE CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATES THAT THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SUCH A MINOR ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
- 10/17/2003· STEERING
AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES THE STEERING CASE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING, THEY LUBED SOMETHING. AFTER THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY BUT JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I STARTED FEELING A CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING, IT TURNS OUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR MY ANNUAL INSPECTION THE MECHANIC STATES IN ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO THE STEERING WILL NO LONGER WORK. TURNS OUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH STEERING, WHILE COMING OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY, THEY COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL, THEY EVENTUALLY HAD TOO CHANGE THE STEERING CASE IN THE CAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF A PERSON IS ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO LONGER CAN STEER THE CAR, THE RESULTS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *LA
- 10/16/2007· SUSPENSION
3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HAVE TO PAY THE COSTLY REPAIR BILLS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! *JB
- 10/16/2003· EQUIPMENT
WHILE BRAKING, THERE IS A SLIGHT NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE -- REPLACED SUSPENSION (SPRINGS AND STRUTS). *LA