Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints (2003)

678 consumer complaints on file.

#10063761March 24, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS DIM TO A SOFTER SHADE OF LIGHT. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE REAR SINGLE LIGHTS IN MY CAR THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THIS CAR HAS A BAD BRAKE PROBLEM. THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHAKES VERY BAD WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY. CITY DRIVING IS NOT AS BAD, BUT WHEN THE BRAKES GET WARMED UP THEY PULSATE WHEN I COME TO A STOP. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I PULL MY CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE FIRST THING I SMELL WHEN I GET OUT IS A BURNING SMELL FROM THE BACK BRAKES. I CALLED THE FUCILLO CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER 2003. I TALKED TO A SERVICEMAN ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT MY PULSATING BRAKES IS THE ABS SYSTEM WORKING IN THE SNOW. NOW THE ROADS ARE DRY AND MY BRAKES ARE STILL PULSATING. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN MY ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON MY CAR SHOWING THAT IT HAS THE ABS SYSTEM. NOW MY BRAKES ARE SHOT. THE CAR HAD ONLY 6500 HUNDRED MILES ON IT WHEN I FIRST CALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2003. IN JUNE OF 2003, I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND TEST DROVE IT. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE A GOOD CAR, EXCEPT FOR THE NOISE THAT I HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AREA. IT SOUNDED LIKE A RUBBER BAND WHEN IT SNAPS. I BROUGHT IT UP TO MY SALESMEN ROCKY FROM THE CHEVY DEPARTMENT. HE TOLD ME THAT IT'S A NEW CAR. NOW WHEN THE FRONT TIRES ARE TURNED TO THE RIGHT, IT MAKES A CRUNCHING NOISE. WHEN I DRIVE OVER ANY BUMP AT ANY SPEED, IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO SHOCKS OR STRUTS ON THIS CAR AND MAKES A BAD CLUNKING SOUND. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063762March 24, 2004
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE TIRES SHAKE AND VIBRATE AROUND SIXTY MILES/HR. SO I TOOK THEM TO SAM'S CLUB TO THEIR TIRE CENTER IN DECEMBER OF 2003. THEY ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ONE MONTH, THEN THE TIRES STARTED DOING THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER, I WENT BACK TO SAM'S CLUB AND THEY BALANCED MY TIRES AGAIN. SO HERE IT IS MARCH OF 2004, THE TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN SHAKING AND VIBRATING AROUND SIXTY MILES/HR. I CALLED GOODYEAR , THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. THEY LOOKED AT THE TIRES, AND SAID THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INSIDE, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE TIRES FIXED. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE SPECIFIC ORIGIN OF THE VIBRATION. BASICALLY, FOR A BRAND NEW CAR, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS AT 24,000 MILES (AS STATED BY MECHANICS FROM GOODYEAR, SAM'S CLUB AND FIRESTONE). 5. CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH- IF RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS USED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL AUTOMATICALLY DEACTIVATE ITSELF. 6. POWER FAILURE- CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT. 7. A/C & HEATER- A/C AND HEATER MAKE LOUD NOISE. 8. REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT 4 TIMES ON EACH SIDE. GM REPLACEMENT BULBS LAST ONLY 1 TO 1 1/2 MONTH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062651March 19, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
I AM A GM TECHNICIAN. GM IS HAVING A HUGE PROBLEM WITH "J" BODY CARS WITH NEW BODY STYLE. (CAVILER, SUNFIRE YEAR 2001-CURRENT) THE PROBLEM IS WITH POOR TERMINAL CONTACT WITH THE REAR BULBS DUE TO DEFECTIVE BULB SOCKETS. THE RESULT IS LOSS OF REAR TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LAMPS ON ONE OR OFTEN BOTH SIDES. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS CARS OFTEN WITH LESS THEN 1000 MILES. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND OUR SHOP MUST FIX 8 CARS A WEEK ON AVERAGE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOT A LARGE GM SHOP. NOT HAVING REAR TURN SIGNALS OR BRAKE LAMPS IS SERIOUS FOR RISK OF REAR-END COLLISIONS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062019March 12, 2004
SUSPENSION
WITH ONLY .5 INCHES OF SNOW MY CAR (A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER) LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND SMASHED INTO THE CURB. THIS WAS WHILE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH. I FEEL THE COMBINATION OF 16" TIRES AND THE SPORTS SUSPENSION (BOTH STANDARD ON THE CAR) WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061942March 11, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL BULBS HAVE BURNED OUT 4 TIMES(LEFT 2 TIMES, RIGHT 2 TIMES) IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059837February 26, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED HEATER DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND HEATER WAS REPLACED. ALSO, ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTION WIRES. ON ANOTHER OCCASION ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SOCKETS. IN ALL, VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES IN SEVEN MONTHS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058987February 25, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER PURCHASED NEW AUGUST 23, 2003 BILL HEARD CHEVROLET,COLUMBUS GA. BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BURNED OUT TWICE SINCE THAT DATE. ONCE IN NOVEMBER 2003 AND AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2004.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058794February 23, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW ARROUND 04/2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2003 SINCE THEN I REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:DRIVETRAIN - CLUNK NOISE DURING LOW SPEED TURNS A/C - DIFFICULT MODE/TEMPERATURE SETTING OPERATION . STEERING - MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. STEERING - RATTLE/KNOCK WHEN TURNING WHEELS - FRONT/REAR WHEEL SQUEAKING NOISE ---ALL THOSE COMPLAINTS ARE NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF - THEY ALLWAYS HAD SOME "LOW EXCUSES FOR ME - LIKE THE WHEATER/RAIN/DIRT ON THE WHEELS (I LIVE IN THE CITY ...NOT ON A DIRT ROAD..) ANYWAY THE ONLY COMPLAINT THEY TAKEN SERIOUS IS THAT I BROUGHT IN THE CAR NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME TO REPAIR THE RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT - LAST TIME JUST TODAY! I REPORTED AGAIN ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS, WITH THE SUCESS THAT THEY AT LEAST ORDERD NOW A "NEW PART" FOR THE A/C, EVERYTHING ELSE IS AGAIN BEEN "PLAYED" DOWN. HONESTLY, I'M GETTING TIRED OF HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH A NEW CAR. BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS COST ME A NEARLY A WHOLE DAY OF MISSING WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO FIX ALL TJOSE PROBLEMS FOR ONCE AND ALL OR DOES A CUSTOMER FROM CHEVROLET JUST HAS TO SUFFER AND PUT UP WITH SUCH A POOR QUALITY?!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054836January 25, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
MY 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER HAS A PROBLEM OF STALLING ( ENGINE DIES)AT LOW SPEED WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AS NOTED IN COMPLAINT SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU MUST KEEP ENGINE REVS HIGH IN ORDER TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING OVER AND OVER. THIS HAPPENED IN JUNE OF 2003 AND AGAIN JAN. 15 2004. DEALER AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE SAY MORE OR LESS, SORRY ABOUT YOUR BAD LUCK. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND I AM QUITE SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS CONDITION COULD GET YOU KILLED. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054562January 21, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WITHIN A WEEK OF RECIEVING MY CAR IT BEGAN TO STALL WHEN COMMING TO A STOP OTHERWISE IT WOULD IDLE WRONG. IF IT DID NOT DIE IT WOULD IDLE HIGH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071186January 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
1. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT W/IN MONTH OF EACH OTHER. IN THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST. 2. BRAKES NOISY, SEPTEMBER 3. TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN, OCTOBER 4. BRAKES NOISY, AGAIN, NOVEMBER 5. CAR TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP AND TRYING TO SPEED UP. FREAKING OUT, I PRESSED THE GAS AND MOVED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THEN PUT CAR IN PARK AND GOT IT TO START, NOVEMBER. IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT I HAVE A DISFUNCTIONAL CAR THAT WHEN I DONT HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ONE THING I HAVE TO GO IN TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER. ITS A NEW CAR AND ITS COSTING ME MORE PROBLMES AND INCONVINIENCES THAN THE OLD '96 I HAD TILL I BOUGHT THIS ONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070276January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 - 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING AND THE WHEELS ON THE CAR LOCKED UP. THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING AND 3 CARS SWERVED OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. ONCE OUT OF THE CAR IT COULD NOT EVEN BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT ALL THE EGEARS WERE BROKEN AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT EVEN BE REBUILT. A TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE PULLED FROM TOTALLED CAVALIER AND REBUILT TO GET MY CAR RUNNING. WITHOUT THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION, PARTS COULD HAVE COST UP TO $2500 PLUS LABOR. I WAS DISAPPOINTED/SCARED THAT SUCH A THING COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IF ANOTHER CAR HAD HIT US. I WAS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053128January 13, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I PURCHASED MY CAR WITH 2 MILES ON IT IN MAY 2003.AFTER 2 WEEKS OF HAVING IT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE THAT STARTED UNDER THE FRONT END.THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID THAT IT WAS JUST A NEW CAR SOUND AND IT WOULD GO AWAY.AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AND HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY BOLTS TO THE FRONT END FRAME WERE NEVER TIGHTENED OR PUT IN FROM THE FACTORY.SO THEY PUT IN BOLTS AND TIGHTENED THE REST.HOPING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM I LEFT.IT CONTINUED TO MAKE A POPPING TYPE SOUND AND I TOOK IT BACK WHERE THIS TIME THEY HEARD IT BUT COULD NOT FIND WHAT IT WAS.TO THIS DAY IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OUT AND THE STEERING HAS CHANGED.THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IF THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM THEN THEY CAN'T FIX IT AND TO DRIVE IT UNTIL WHATEVER IT IS BREAKS OR FALLS OUT! I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM AND I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT.ALSO THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY,THE DASH HAS A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE,THE HEAT AND AIR MAKES A LOUD BUZZING SOUND, THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE PROPERLY.I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE SORRY ABOUT THE BOLTS NEVER BEING PUT IN AND THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE INSPECTED AND ARE SAFE.WELL HOW IS THAT WHEN THEY DID NOT EVEN PUT IN BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR IN?WHAT ELSE HAVE THEY FORGOTTEN?I FEEL UNSAFE IN MY CAR AND AM VERY ANGRY THAT THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049933January 13, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BURNED OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN THIS YEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SOCKETS WERE CORRODED. *AK *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052421January 5, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
I HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THAT I RECENTLY PURCHASED. I BOUGHT A 2003 CAVALIER AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT LAST WEEK. I NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO TALK TO BEFORE I TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS. MY CAR IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT AND I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL CAR. WELL, HERE'S THE SITUATION LAST WEEK, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ON THE WAY TO TAKE IT TO BE LOOKED AT AND IT HAPPPENED AGAIN, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE, THEY OFFERED NO HELP AS FAR AS MY RENTAL AND WARRANTY. I AM ANGRY BECAUSE THIS FLAW WITH THE CAR COULD'VE RESULTED IN MY DEATH. IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO GET SOMEONE TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR AND WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY CAME ON NOV. 2, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THAT WAS IT. I TRIED MAKING CONTACT AGAIN AND GOT NO RESPONSE. I'M STILL WITHOUT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE EVEN IF I PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, THERE IS STILL THE CHANCE THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10051018December 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP ON HOT DAY, ENGINE STALLS WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED AS WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. ENIGINE WILL RESTART, BUT ACCELLERATOR MUST BE DEPRESSED TO REV THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT STALLING. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN RESTARTED, PROBLEM WITH STALLING IS GONE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT. THE SAME PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN OID NUMBERS 10049266, 10039337 AND 10037496.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051021December 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55-70MPH FOR 30-60 MINUTES, THE ENGINE RPM RATE INCREASES FROM AROUND 2500 TO 3500 INSTEAD OF FALLING TO 1000 (NORMAL IDLE). IF THE CLUTCH IS RE-ENGAGED THEN THE RPM RATE RETURNS TO THE NORMAL RANGE FOR THE GEAR/SPEED OF TRAVEL. IF THE CAR IS BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPM RATE FALLS TO THE NORMAL IDLE RATE AFTER 20-40 SECONDS OF STANDSTILL. THE BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN OBSERVED EVERYTIME EXTENDED HIGHWAY DRIVING IS COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SHOWS NO PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049266December 5, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, STEERING
WHEN COASTING TO A STOP AND DEPRESSING CLUTCH, CAR IDLE SPEED WILL DROP BELOW THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED OF 800 RPM. SOMETIMES, THE IDLE SPEED WILL BOUNCE AROUND BETWEEN 400 RPM AND 800 RPM. OTHER TIMES, THE ENGINE WILL STALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT WILL USUALLY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE FIXING ITSELF. THE STALLING ENGINE IS A CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE LOST OF POWER STEERING MAKING TURNS. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048532November 24, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
A DARK BROWN RUST COLOR DEVELOPED ON THE FRONT WHEELS. THE DEALERSHIP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, CHANGED THE BRAKES, TURNED THE ROTOR AND PUT NEW BEARINGS ON, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BROWN RUST COLOR WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048376November 20, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT THE LIGHT BURNS THROUGH THE SOCKET WHICH CAUSES FAILURE. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Cavalier