Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints (2003)

678 consumer complaints on file.

#10164122August 1, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT IS STUCK AT 40 MPH WHILE STANDING STILL, ON ACCELERATION IT WILL RISE ACCORDING TO THE SPEED ATTAINED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163762July 28, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
I JUST GOT THIS CAR AT A USED CAR LOT ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND IT RAINED ONE NIGHT AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY SO I TRIED TO PUT ON THE DEFROSTER AND IT WOULD NOT WORK NO MATTER WHERE I MOVED THE SWITCH IT WOULD ONLY BLOW THE AIR FORWARD SO I HAD TO PULL OVER EVERY LITTLE WHILE AND WIPE IT OFF JUST SO I COULD GET HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE CABLE THAT CONTROLS THE FLOW OF AIR WAS BROKEN AND HE TRIED TO GET ONE FROM THE JUNK YARD AND SAID 3 OUT OF 5 CAVALIERS OF AROUND THE SAME YEAR 2003 HAD THE SAME CABLE BROKEN THE SAME WAY AND HE TOLD ME THE FLAP THAT THE CABLE CONTROLS WAS STICKING AND CAUSING IT TO BREAK SO I TOLD HIM TO LEAVE THE SAME CABLE ON THE CAR AND HE PUT THE FLAP TO THE DEFROST POSITION MANUALLY IN CASE IT RAINS AGAIN IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU CANT SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING THIS IS IN THE SUMMER TIME THAT I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE WINTER TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163590July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE), EQUIPMENT
9-17-2005 - CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSED TO FLOOR AND STAYED ON FLOOR, CAR WOULD NOT GO IN GEAR. CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FOUND AT FAULT AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 7-19-2006 - CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSED TO FLOOR AND BARELY CAME UP OFF FLOOR. VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT GRINDING GEARS. CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FOUND AT FAULT AND REPLACED. CUSTOMER AND DEALER SPLIT COST OF REPAIRS. 7-25-2006 - CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSED TO FLOOR AND BARELY CAME UP OFF FLOOR. VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT GRINDING GEARS. SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER IS AGAIN AT FAULT, CAR IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED. **VERY NEARLY CAUSED AND ACCIDENT WHEN CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE. NOTE: NHTSA # 10005459 AND 10019423 FOR SAME PROBLEMS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157609May 15, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POP. SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER WHICH TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT SOMETHING SEEMED TO LET GO IN THE STEERING RACK. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN TURN 8 TO 12 INCHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT MOVING THE WHEELS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10151054February 23, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON FEB. 15 2005 I WAS DRIVING A 2003 CAVALIER WHEN. AS I WAS DRIVING AND SWITCHING LINES MY LIGHT TURNED RED AND I DID NOT REALIZE IT. I WENT THROUGH CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIR BAGS ON MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. MY SPEED WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 14-20 M.P.H. THE VEHICLE I HIT WAS MAKING A TURN AT ABOUT TEN M.P.H. OR SO. THE BUMPER OF MY CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF AND IS NOW BEING REPAIRED. I WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED BUT I WAS VERY APPALLED AT HOW THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS NOT WEARING MY SEAT BELT. I BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE FAULTY AND I ALSO PLAN TO FILE A LAWSUIT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146976January 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT ERRATIC, AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP TO 260 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE, AND THEY DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146981January 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND WHICH INTERFERES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER'S READING. THE TWO NEEDLES SOMETIMES HIT EACH OTHER. ALSO, THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUES TO GO AROUND. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE ARE TWO LOCATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT CAN REPAIR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SENT TO THEM. *AK UPDATED 2/9/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142251November 9, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THE HORN MODULE WENT OUT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141933November 7, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNWANTED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A SERVICE DEALER THAT DID NOT TELL HER THE CAUSE. SHE BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL. *AK UPDATED 11/30/05. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137677October 20, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SAFETY DEFECT IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE ROLLS BACK WHILE ON A HILL. WHILE IT IS IN DRIVE IT ACTS AS IF IT WAS STANDARD TRANSMISSION. HAPPENED ON AND OFF SINCE 2003. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IDLES TOO LOW WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140229October 19, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT STEER IT. THE CONTACT STATED IT WAS A CLEAR DAY, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC , AND NO REASON FOR HER TO LOSE CONTROL. THERE WAS A CODE FOUND, B2625 FOR DISPLAY DIMMING PULSE. IT APPEARED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING DISPLAY. THERE NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS POWER FAILURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND HAD A BACKACHE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10140052October 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT READING CORRECTLY AT TIMES THAT ARE NOT PREDICTABLE. TODAY FOR INSTANCE IT HAS LOST SPEED BY READING AT 5 MPH WHEN I AM DRIVING AT 40 MPH! IT HAS EVEN READ AT 85 MPH WHEN I WAS ONLY DRIVING AT 50 MPH! I HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP AND STILL NO RESULT. NOW MY TEMPERATURE DIAL IS GOING BONKERS. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POST ON SITES ABOUT THE DASHBOARD/CAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! I NOW HAVE MY FIRST SPEEDING TICKET DUE TO THE RESULT OF THIS! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134540August 24, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER REAR TAILLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY FAILED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133247August 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY MY CALL RESULTING IN ODI NUMBER 10133041. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, PRIOR TO THE BELT BREAKING, MY CAR'S ALTERNATOR HAD A "HARD SPOT". THIS MEANS THAT IT WOULD SEIZE AND LET GO. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD NOT SEIZE UNLESS THERE IS A COLLISION WHICH IN TURN STOPS THE ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK THIS RANDOM SEIZING, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT CAUSED MY "UNDIPLOMATIC", STEERING AND BRAKING PROBLEMS - WITH LOSS OF CONTROL RANGING FROM 1/2 SECOND TO 2 SECONDS AT A TIME. ON THE REPORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALTERNATOR REPAIR, I AGAIN REPORTED BRAKING PROBLEMS (NOT JUST THE DOCUMENTED NOISE), AND THE ODDBALL SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. BOTH LINES OF COMPLAINT WERE ATTRIBUTED TO THE SEIZING UP OF THE ALTERNATOR. TO ME, THIS MEANS THAT MY LIFE, AND THE LIFE OF ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD WITH ME - WAS AND STILL IS STILL AT THE MERCY OF A WEIRD ALTERNATOR, WHOSE INTERMITTENT FAILURES RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE STEERING PUMP, AND THE BRAKES - RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR UNTIL THE BACKUP KICKS IN - WHICH TAKES FROM 1/2 SECOND TO 2 SECONDS. I WISH TO MAKE VERY CLEAR - I DO NOT BLAME THE DEALER FOR LACK OF ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY REPAIR WHAT IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, IN THE COURSE OF RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT MOST ALL NEW CARS REGARDLESS OF MANUFACTURER ARE DESIGNED THE SAME WAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON AN INDUSTRY WIDE SCALE. AT THIS STAGE, STEERING, ACCELERATION, AND BRAKING ARE ALL ERRATIC. SOUND IN THE FRONT TIRES IS LIKE A CLIP-CLOP. I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IN READING THE DESCRIPTIONS PLACED HERE, I MUST ALSO WONDER IF THE CRASHES AND AIRBAG FAILED DEPLOYMENTS IN SEVERAL POSTS WERE ALSO DUE TO A SEIZING ALTERNATOR PRIOR TO THE MVA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133007August 16, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE TRUNK LATCH BROKE APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS REPLACED. THEN, A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THE FOURTH LATCH FOR WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS AN APPOINTMENT A TDEALER TO HAVE THE FIFTH LATCH INSTALLED. THE LAST TIME IT WAS INSTALLED THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THEY PUT IN A LATCH FROM A DIFFERENT VEHICLE AND THAT ONE LASTED 8 MONTHS. THE MANAGER STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT THERE WERE OTHER CUSTOMERS IN THE WAITING AREA THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133041August 16, 2005
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVILER. WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES. IT STARTED IN THE WINTER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIRECTION THAT CAR WAS HEADED WAS THE WAY IT STAYED. ALSO, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HUM IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH LASTED A COUPLE OF SECONDS EACH TIME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT IT DID NOT SOUND TO THEM AS DANGEROUS. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM FINALLY CAME TO AHEAD IN JUNE. LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BELT BROKE, AND THE ALTERNATOR SEIZED. WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THEY CONCLUDED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BELT MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE DEALER NEVER DID ANY REPAIRS TO THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE KEY WAS HOT AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN THE IGNITION. AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR WENT BACK TO THE DEALER , AND SHE DID NOT HAVE THE TIGHTNESS TO THE STEERING. BUT, THE CAR WAS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY. THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE SPEED OF THE CAR. AND ALMOST HAD A COLLISION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131797August 6, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR DRUMS ARE WEARING OUT FASTER THAN FRONT BRAKES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128870July 15, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ALL AROUND PROBLEMS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128821July 14, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
HAD CAR PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. PUT CAR IN REVERSE, BACKED UP AND THEN WENT TO DRIVE. DROVE ABOUT 15 FEET AND ENGINE DIED. HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP AND THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128297July 11, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING REPAIR FOR A MINOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 11/11/04. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMOVED WITHOUT BEING REPLACED. DIAGNOSTICS ON THE AIRBAG MODULE SHOWED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED AND WERE MISSING. THE AIRBAG DASH WARNING INDICATOR ALSO HAS BEEN DISABLED SOMEHOW. NONE OF THESE DEFICIENCIES WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE VEHICLE PURCHASE. IT IS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS MADE AND BY WHOM. THE ACCIDENT ON 11/11/04 WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE MISSING AIRBAGS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Cavalier