Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints (1997)

540 consumer complaints on file.

#10936588December 20, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR RADIATOR FAN WON'T KICK ON CAUSE CAR TO GET VERY DANGEROUSLY HOT CAUSING CAR TO BECOME A BOMB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10904595September 8, 2016
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DEFLATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 WHILE IN MOTION TURNING A 90 DEGREE BEND THEN BRAKING INTO ROAD BANK ON A THE SIDE OF A COUNTRY DIRT ROAD. AN EARLY INSPECTION WAS HANDED DOWN FROM THE COMMONWEALTH STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA ON JULY, 01, 2016. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE PARKED STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE CHEVROLET CAVALIER FAILED THE ENHANCED STATE INSPECTION THENCE AFTER DUE TO AIR BAG SAFETY FEATURE. THE CAR IS IN FAIR CONDITION APPRAISED ABOVE BLUE BOOK VALUE AND MECHANICALLY RUNS BETTER THAN IT DID 4 OR 5 YEARS AGO. THERE IS A SALVAGE TITLE CURRENTLY ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE. ALL THE VEHICLE NEEDS IS NEW AIR BAGS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10838740February 27, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING MY HORN STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INDICATOR!! 3 TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING !! MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! WAS UNABLE WARN CAR BACKING OUT AND HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID ACCIDENT! REPLACED FUSE 3 TIMES!! SOMEONE MAY DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION!! NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF NOTICE FROM DEALERSHIP/ MANUFACTURE REGARDING THIS ISSUE! UPON GOOGLING FOUND MANY ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM!! A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH MAY RESULT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT!!!PLEASE,PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM !!!!!! ALSO THE GAGE LIGHTS TEND TO STAY ON!! FIRST IT WAS THE OIL SENSOR LITE, NOW THE RADIATOR LITE!! BOTH CHAMBERS ARE FULL EVEN AFTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICING!!!!!! THE OIL LITE STILL COMES ON JUST HAD PROFESSIONAL OIL SERVICE?!????
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10681975February 8, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
THE SAFETY DEVICE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WON'T GO OFF, CAN'T START MY CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680964February 3, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL THE DETAILS INVOLVING THE REPAIR AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659080November 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652496November 4, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
MY REAR DEFROST QUIT WORKING AND I WENT AND CHECKED SOME OF THE CONNECTIONS. THE CONNECTION UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN MELTED, WITH THE PLASTIC SHOWING EVIDENCE OF BEING MELTED. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS IT IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU CHECK GM CARS PONTIAC, AND GM SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON BASED OFF THE FORUMS AND YOU TUBE VIDEO'S. IT APPEARS IN IMPALA, CAVALIER, SUNFIRE, AND THIS ISN'T AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS AND GM ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594847May 29, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES, ALL THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575461March 29, 2014
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH TO A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR DIED WHILE IN DRIVE, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN IN MAY 2010 WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HAD TO COAST DOWN A BRIDGE, WHICH PROMPTED ME TO SELL THE CAR BECAUSE I FELT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568604March 11, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND EXPOSED MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567219February 27, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS IN 2009. IT WAS THAT THE SWITCH OF THE KEY ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO START. SOMEONE CAME TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO REPAIR IT. HE HAD TO ADD A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WOULD BE TUNING THE KEY TO THE ENGINE TO START I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON TO START THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING LIGHT BULBS CONSTANCY FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE SINGLE LIGHT. THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM WOULD BE TURNING IT SELF ON WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING. THANKFULLY THERE WAS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THAT. BUT I WOULD BE STRUGGLING TO START MY CAR .I HAD TO WAIT SOME COUPLE OF MINUTES TO START THE CAR. THE RECENT INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS WHEN MY NEIGHBOR HEARD LIKE SOME FIREWORKS IN OUR SIDE OF OUR HOUSE. HE TOOK A LOOK AND HE SEEN THAT OUR CAR WAS SOME SPARKLING LIGHTS OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT WAS AROUND MIDNIGHT WHAT HE SEEN AND HE TOLD US THAT MORNING. AS I WALK TOWARDS THE CAR I COULD SMELL SMOKE AS IF SOMETHING BURN. I WANTED TO START MY CAR BUT WOULDN'T START. SOME ONE CAME TO FIXED IT AND HAD TO REPLACE SOME CABLE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THAT WAS THAT CAUSE THE SPARKING OF THE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564734February 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AS I WAS GOING TO TURN THE SWITCH ON TO TURN ON MY CAR IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. I HAD SOME ONE FIX IT BUT COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO FIX IT. THEY HAD TO ADD A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO START THE CAR AS I TURN THE SWITCH ON. THERE WAS COUPLE A OF TIMES WHERE THE CAR WOULD GO ON PASSLOCK BY ITSELF AND WOULDN'T START UNTIL A LONG PERIOD OF WAITING. THE EXTERNAL HEADLIGHTS BURN CONSTANTLY AND I WOULD BUY NEW BULBS FOR THE BACK LIGHTS. ONE TIME OUR NEIGHBOR SAID HE HEARD NOISE LIKE FIREWORKS ON OUR PROPERTY AND HE SAID THAT HE SEEN OUR CAR WAS SPARKING LIGHT OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT MORNING OF THAT DAY HE TOLD US AND AS WE WERE CHECKING THE CAR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNED. AS A RESULT OF THAT THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO START . THE AUTO REPAIR PEOPLE HAD TO COME TO OUR HOUSE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT SOME WIRES INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BURNED BUT MOSTLY I HAVE BEEN FIXING MORE OF ELECTRICAL SWITCHES AND BURNED WIRES. I APPRECIATE FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ THIS AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521905June 26, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467247July 24, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ACTIVATED THE ANTI THEFT MODE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457171May 2, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HER FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND CAUSED HER TO LIGHTLY CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY, CAUSING BURNS TO THE CONTACT'S HANDS AND FACE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V146000 (AIR BAGS) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT THE CALIBRATION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE REPAIR FAILED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10447035February 7, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN AND IT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HORN SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420729August 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SOLD MY 1997 CHEV. CAVALIER TO A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL. HER DAD TOOK CAR FOR TEST DRIVE BEFORE CASH PURCHASE. HE WENT 200 FEET DOWN THE STREET THEN BACKED UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY. HE SAID BRAKE WARNING LITE CAME ON AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. WE SAW BRAKE FLUID POURING FROM UNDER CAR. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND BLEW OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO TUFFY AUTO CENTER AND THEY SPLICED NEW BRAKE LINES TO FIX. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT PLAIN STEEL LINES WERE ROUTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND EXPOSED TO ALL KINDS OF CORROSIVE ELEMENTS. WE WERE ALL THANKFUL THAT THE GIRL DID NOT BUY THE CAR THEN GET INTO A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT THAT DAY. HOW MANY OTHER CAVALIERS ARE OUT THERE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION? I CAN NOT SEE HOW GM GOT AWAY WITH BRAKE AND GAS LINES INSTALLED IN SUCH A CHEAP AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOCATION. ALL THE PREVIOUS DESCRIPTION IS ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE PURCHASER AND TUFFY AUTO CENTER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397150April 22, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
1997 CHEVY CAVALIER STEERING COLUMN AND DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MARCH 10, 2011. CAR HAD NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION. CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER BEING USED FOR A SHORT DRIVE. THE CAVALIER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE FROM THE CAR. NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390397March 16, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT AND LOCKED. WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT DUE TO ANY TYPE OF DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10377040January 18, 2011
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOUDY UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE GEAR WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER IT WAS STARTED. IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS THE CONTACT HAD TO BANG ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE MECHANISMS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Cavalier