Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints (1998)

345 consumer complaints on file.

#10395493April 11, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE IN ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331065May 18, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CHEVY CAVALIER RUSTED SUB FRAMES. CAR VIBRATES WILDLY AT A CERTAIN SPEEDS. CAR WAS PARKED. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER CALLS RELATED TO THIS. WAS TOLD BY GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAR (IF DRIVEN) SHOULD BE DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY (NO BUMPS, POTHOLES, LONG DISTANCE TRIPS) RECOMMENDED WE DON'T DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317455March 7, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH, OR ANTI THEFT SYSTEM, CAUSES FUEL PUMP TO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND ALSO FUEL INJECTORS, BEEN IN GARAGE 3 TIMES AND FINALLY WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, WAS TOLD GM HAD A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296166December 16, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STARTS TO SHAKE WHEN IT REACHES 60 MPH OR MORE. IT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294040November 30, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE. ALSO WHEN STRIKING A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD WAY, THE VEHICLE WILL FISH TAIL. DURING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW TIRES, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLES SUB FRAME HAD CORROSION. IT COST $3500.00 TO REPAIR THE FRAME. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257007January 31, 2009
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING ON HILLS OR INCLINES. MY CAR WILL START TO FEEL AS IF IT'S GOING TO STALL, AND THE RPM'S JUMP UP AS IF I AM ACCELERATING THE GAS, BUT SINCE THIS NORMALLY ONLY HAPPENS ON HILLS, WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, MY CAR WILL NOT STOP, B/C THE RPM'S ARE STILL HIGH, THEN THAT'S WHEN THE CAR STALLS, AND OF COURSE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, AND I CANNOT STOP WITHOUT USING THE E-BRAKE, OR PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART IT. I HAVE NO WARRANTY LEFT SINCE IT HAS EXPIRED, HOWEVER, I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ALWAYS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THIS DEFECT HAS "SLIPPED" THROUGH THE CRACKS FOR THIS LONG. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE OWNERS OF THIS CAR GET INJURED OR KILLED! I AM ALSO HAVING A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM, BUT GMAC SAID THAT MY CAR DIDN'T COME FROM THE PLANT WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS! WELL, I THINK IT DID. MY CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVE DOWN A HILL, I SAY A PRAYER. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 2-3 TIMES/WEEK. MY STEERING IS SO BAD FROM THE DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION, THAT I CAN'T TURN MY STEERING WHEEL UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 15 MINS.(WHEN IT'S COLD OUT). GMAC HAS FAILED TO TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUS, IT'S SAD THAT A COMPANY I PAID ALL MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO, CAN'T EVEN MAKE/OR FIX AN UNSAFE VEHICLE! AND I ALSO HAVE THE RECALLED DEX COOLANT, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE PAID FOR THE DAMAGES AND REPAIRS IN ORDER TO GET REIMBURSED! THEY NEED TO FIX ALL THE AFFECTED CARS, NOT JUST THE ONES PEOPLE HAVE PAID TO ALREADY HAVE IT FIXED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251848December 15, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I TOOK OFF AND FELT A PULL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD MY BROTHER IN LAW CHECK IT OUT AND THE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED. WE REPLACED IT BUT FEEL THIS NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223682April 8, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE. WHEN MY SISTER BOUGHT IT. SHE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT STARTING UP. SHE WOULD HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY START UP. IM NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS GETS EXPENSIVE WHEN YOU DO THIS? I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220524March 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR IS IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD MINE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW AND IN THIS TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TO PUT ABOUT 7,000 DOLLARS OF WORK INTO IT. AS OF RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS SITTING 200 HUNDRED MILES AWAY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE WIRING TO MY STARTER KEEPS BLOWING MY STARTERS UP. AND AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED THE CAR CAN STAY THERE. I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER GOING TO GET IT. SOMEONE ELSE CAN BAR THE BURDEN THAT COMES WITH THAT CAR! IM DONE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211878December 13, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND SO DID MY FATHER-IN-LAW WHO DROVE CAR BEFORE ME. ABS WAS ALWAYS VERY SENSITIVE TO ACTIVATING AND WHEN ACTIVATED VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I HAVE BE DRIVING 40 YEARS AND NEVER OWNED A MORE DIFFICULT VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD BRAKES SERVICED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AGO AT DEALER, HAVE BRAND NEW MICHELINS. DOES NOT MATTER, I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS CAVALIER ABS SYSTEM AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206639October 23, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. NEITHER LOW OR HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK MAKING DRIVING AT NIGHT UNSAFE. SWITCH REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2004, OCTOBER 2006 AND OCTOBER 2007. THE SWITCH FROM OCTOBER 2004 HAD AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING FROM IT FOR THE TWO YEARS IT WAS INSTALLED WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197342July 24, 2007
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JULY 24, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,656. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ A BROKEN WHEEL STUD AND NUT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174323November 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1998 CAVALIER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DETERMINED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS STICKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EGR VALVE FAILED AT 142,673 MILES AND AGAIN AT 175,055. WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE SERVICE INVOICE IT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE PART HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172422November 1, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
A RECALL REPAIR ON THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS PERFORMED IN 2003; LESS THAN FOUR YEARS LATER, THE SAME REPAIR WAS NEEDED AT AN EXORBITANT COST DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RECALL-REPLACED PART. CHEVY REFUSED MONETARY ASSISTANCE. IS IT COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN RECALLS SO THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY THE REPAIR, HENCE THE COMPANY GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK FOR THE RECALL REPAIR? THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN THE STEERING MECHANISM BROKE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171276October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WRONG, HAD DRIVEN LESS THAN 1 MILE WHEN TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIRING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168210September 14, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AND STARTED TRUNK FIRE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156201April 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAIL WHEN TURNING AND BREAKING AT 10 MPH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155073April 11, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148644January 13, 2006
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. *TS THE STUDS HAD BROKEN ON THE HUB. THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS DAMAGED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146014December 23, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I REAR ENDED SOMEONE GOING 45 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. THIS WAS A FRONTAL CRASH AND FROM ALL THE LITERATURE I HAVE READ, IT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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