Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints (1997)

540 consumer complaints on file.

#718642February 12, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM THE POSITIVE SIDE TERMINAL. THIS IS A RISK FOR A CHEMICAL BURN AND CORROSION TO THE CHASSIS. THIS IS MY THIRD NEW GM CAR THAT HAD THE ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERY LEAK OUT THE SIDE POSITIVE TERMINAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FACTORY ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERIES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITH A 91 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE, THE SECOND WAS WITH A 93 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY TRUCK. I BELIEVE DELCO BATTERIES HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT IS ONGOING. GM DELCO DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE FIXED THE DESIGN FLAW. THESE THREE BATTERIES LEAKED WHEN THEY WERE THREE YEARS OLD. I SOLD THE 91 CADILLAC AND BOUGHT A 99 CADILLAC. I DON'T TRUST THE BATTERY AND PLAN TO PULL THE BATTERY AT 24 MONTHS BEFORE IT LEAKS ACID. I WILL NEVER BUY A DELCO REPLACEMENT. I STILL HAVE THE CAVILIER BATTERY SITTING IN A PUDDLE OF ACID IN THE GARAGE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A PICTURE OR IF SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SEE IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#717749January 23, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
HORN: HAS NEVER WORKED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS RECEIVED. HAVE HAD THE DEALER FIX IT 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. HEATER FAN: FAILED DURING THE WINTER OF 1997. PAST WARRANTY PERIOD?? HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. ENGINE PROBLEM: STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WILL HESITATE AND JERK WHILE DRIVING IT. HAVE REPLACED: SPARK PLUG WIRES, PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHECKED. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 2 MILES. IGNITION: KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION/ REPLACED BY DEALER X 3.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#855344January 21, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS LEAKS COOLANT WHICH MAY SPRAY UNTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE A FIRE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#855165January 20, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. HASN'T CONTACTED DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#855007January 14, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#717009January 7, 2000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY CAR THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON 12/26/99 AT APPROX 55-60 MPH WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS PUSHED US INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE STOPPING WITHING 2-3 INCHES FRONT A FRONT END COLLISION. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SLID FORWARD TO THE DASHBOAD,CAUSING MY LEGS AND WRISTS TO HIT THE DASHBOARD. THIS CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS TO MY SHINS (THE WORST BEING MY RIGHT LEG), MY WRISTS WERE SPRAINED FROM DASHBOARD, NECK WHIPLASHED BOTH SIDES AND SPINAL/LOW BACK PAIN FROM PELVIS BEING PUSHED UP, CAUSING COMPRESSION ON LOWER SPINE, LOWER RIGHT ABDOMINAL PAIN WITH NAUSEA, DIARREAH AND LOW GRADE FEVERS. SAYING MAYBE APPENDIX OR MUSCULAR.I REMEMBER SLAMMING INTO DASHBOARD EVEN WITH SEATBELT ON. MY SEAT WAS COMPLETELY AGAIN THE DASH WITH EXCEPTION OF ROOM NEEDED FOR LEGS TO HIT IT.THE SEAT MUST HAVE OR I COULD HAVE PUSHED SEAT BACK AFTERIMPACT. THE SEAT IS NOW NOT MOVING AT ALL. GMC SAYS SINCE AN ADJUSTER PAID PARTIAL SETTLEMENT TO BODY SHOP THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT... I HAVE LIMITED TORT INSURANCE, 2 KIDS AND NOW NOT WORKING, AND IN NEED OF MONEY UNTIL INSURANCE PAYS ME MONTHLY WHAT I WOULD BE MAKING AT WORK. WHAT DO I DO? *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#716914January 5, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN DECEMBER 1999, I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I ASSUMED THE THERMOSTAT WAS FAILING AND HAD A LOCAL SERVICE STATION REPLACE IT AND FLUSH THE RADIATOR. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. UPON INSPECTION, I HAD LOST SOME COOLANT AND EXPERIENCED THE SMELL OF HOT COOLANT WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO THE RECENT RADIATOR FLUSH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE STATION AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS PRESSURE TESTED TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AND PASSED. AFTER BEING IDLE FOR OVER 1 WEEK, ON JANUARY 3, 2000, I CHECKED THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW. I FILLED THE ENGINE COOLANT RESERVIOR TO FULL AND AFTER SHORT TRIPS THE LEVEL HAD HELD AT FULL. ON JANUARY 4, 2000, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I EXPERIENCED A ROUGH IDLE AND IN ADDITION TO THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALSO LIT UP ON THE DASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET, EXPECTING TO HAVE THEM FINALLY RESOLVE MY PROBLEM AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY SUSPECTED MY ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND ESTIMATED THE JOB AT OVER $3400.00. I NOTEICED SERVICE BULLETIN #'S 67-62-04, 970501776109 & 970501738309 POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE REFERS TO SIMILAR DEFECTS AS THOSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IF THE ENGINE HAS A DEFECT, WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? I HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTAINANCE SCHEDULE AND FEEL FRUSTRATED THAT GM AND HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET KNEW OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BUT FAILED TO TAKE THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO AVOID PERMINANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND THEIR CONCLUSION IS THE HEAD GASGET HAS FAILED OR THE HEAD HAS CRACKED, BASED ON THE FACT THAT THERE ISN'T ANY COOLANT IN THE OIL PAN. I RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $950.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. I'M NOT A HAPPY CAVALIER OWNER. I THANK YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#715995December 13, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED HIGH PRESSURE LINE FAILURE, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#715565December 2, 1999
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NO SUMMARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#549745November 29, 1999
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPERIENCED FALSE/PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). YH MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#853104November 18, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#852988November 16, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#714333November 4, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT ROTORS BECOMING WARPED AFTER ABOUT 15,000 TO 20,000 MILES OF USE. I WENT TO THE DEALER TWICE UNDER WARRENTY AND BOTH TIMES THEY TURNED THE ROTERS. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE ROTERS AND BRAKE PADS THREE TIMES. I THINK THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. I FEAR SOMEDAY THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL COMPLETLY FAIL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#714222November 2, 1999
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAGS ON THE VEHICLE IN QUESTIONS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL. THEY INSTEAD DEPLOYED UNDER 5 M.P.H. WHEN THE CAR AHEAD WAS BUMPED. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR WAS THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG. IT SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND JAMMED THE MOON ROOF OPEN. THE AIRBAG ALSO SLIGHTLY INJURED THE DRIVER ( SCRAPING & BRUISING HER CHIN ). CHEVROLET INITIALLY PROVIDED KRISTEN WITH A COST FREE RENTAL CAR AND PROMISED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. OVERNIGHT THEIR POSITION CHANGED. THEY TOOK BACK THE RENTAL CAR AND HAVE BEEN " BOUNCING " THE CLAIM FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNTOUCHED FOR MORE THAN 9 DAYS NOW. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT VOSS BUT NOW SITS IN SMEDLEY'S CHEVROLET'S - VANDALIA, OHIO - LOT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#549499October 29, 1999
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
DRIVERS DOOR MISADJUSTED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE OF VEHICLE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#713850October 25, 1999
SUSPENSION:REAR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH CAR - AT 20,000 - THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND MACHINED ROTORS, AFTER I REQUESTED THEY BE CHECKED DUE TO SQUEAKING. SERVICE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 30,000 - THE BATTERY FAILED ON CAR WHILE PARKED. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED BATTERY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY BATTERY CELL. SERVICE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 40,000 MILES, HORN HAS FAILED. CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING WITH DEALER TO REPLACE WITHOUT COST. HAVE ALWAYS HAD ABS PROBLEMS - CAR WILL BUCK AND JERK UNDER CERTAIN WET PAVEMENT CONDITIONS WHEN ABS SHOULD NOT ACTIVATE. CONCERNED ABOUT THIS - BUT CANNOT AFFORD COST OF REPLACING ABS. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT BRAKES AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT ABS PROBLEMS. HAVE BANGING/CLANGING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR WHEN CAR IS COLD. UNSURE WHAT CAUSES THIS. AFTER READING THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND DEFECTS ON THIS WEBSITE, BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAS THESE SAME DEFECTS. FRIGHTENED THAT MY CAR IS NOW INCREDIBLY UNRELIABLE AND MAY CATCH FIRE LIKE OTHER CARS LISTED. SUGGESTIONS?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#713754October 23, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR STUTTERS, THEN POWERS DOWN TO 10-15 MPH, THEN ETS & ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS COME ON. REPEATED TRIPS TO MECHANIC AND DEALER SHOW NOTHING WRONG. LATEST WAS CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. DLR CHGE'D. PROBLEM REPEATED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PICK UP FROM DLR. WILL DRIVE NORMAL W/ LIGHTS ON. HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS ASSOC. W/ A CRASH AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT OF LIGHTS ON FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#851316October 20, 1999
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHTS THREE TIMES. THE HEADLIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER, MAKING T IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#713574October 20, 1999
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
ALSO HAD TO HAVE DRIVER'S DOOR REALIGNED, SIDE MIRROR REALIGNED, SEAT BELTS REPLACED, SEAT BELT COVERS REPLACED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED, AND THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED. ALSO, THIS CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH BUT, THEY CAN'T SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#713595October 20, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER TWICE FOR A WATER LEAK. THEY DID NOTHING. WE GAVE UP AND ABOUT 38000 MILE LATER, WE HAD A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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