Chevrolet Cavalier Complaints

4,662 consumer complaints on file.

#864134June 23, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING DID NOT NOTICE BIG TRASH VEHICLE AND HIT IT HEAD-ON . UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. DRIVER INJURED. *AK *ML
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#864111June 22, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WILL NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES. SOMETIMES HAS TO STEP HARDER TO MAKE BRAKES WORK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863941June 21, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED AND ACCELERATED. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS, PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#552700June 19, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
BELT AND BELT TENSIONER FAILED. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724199June 19, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 25 MPH ON 3 SEPARATE OCCURRENCES. EACH OCCURRENCE WAS 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTER A OIL CHANGE AND "TOPPING OFF FLUIDS" AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AFTER EACH OIL CHANGE, THE SMELL OF HOT OIL WAS PREVALENT THE NEXT DAY. AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE SHUT DOWN OCCURENCE, THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN ON JAN 12, 1999, APR 12, 1999, AND JUNE 12, 2000. OIL CHANGES TOOK PLACE 3 DAYS BEFORE EACH OCCURRENCE. THE ENGINE HAS NEVER SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RECENT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN HAVE ALL BEEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724235June 19, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SERIOUS ACCIDENT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS OR SIMILAR PART. WAS TOLD CAR HAD ACCELERATED QUICKLY, AND THROTTLE INCREASED RAPIDLY.PLEASE INVESTIGATE> I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.THIS MAY BE A SAFTEY PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#724171June 18, 2000
SUSPENSION:REAR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE HAD REOCCURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS AND THE START UP LIGHT ON SUSPENSION SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR, I GOT A "CANNOT DUPLICATE" IN THE PLACE OF REPAIR. I KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALL ON THIS ITEMS UNTIL 6/18/2000, WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING OTHER ITEMS ON THE CAVALIER. I WOULD APPRECIATE GETTING THIS REPAIRED AS OPPOSSED TO "CANNOT DUPLICATE." I DO KNOW THE SUSPENSION HAPPENS FAR MORE OFTEN THAN A VEHICLE THIS YOUNG AGE SHOULD. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724108June 16, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724047June 15, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THIS PATICULAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. NOSAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863636June 15, 2000
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER HOSE CAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE WAS LEAKING AIR CONDITIONING COOLANT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#552625June 13, 2000
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
AFTER LOUD BANGING NOISE, THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED DUE TO THE WHEEL BOLTS SHEARING OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO DETACH COMPLETELY. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#552569June 12, 2000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
LEFT FRONT ELECTRIC WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723923June 12, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THIS SITE, CONSUMER REPORTS, CONSUMER CORNER, ETC. AND HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIERS HAVE HAD CYLINDER HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY LASTED THROUGH 100,000 MILES. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WAS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IT FROM OCCURRING. GM/CHEVROLET HAS ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE BEING APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES OVER THE REQUIRED 100,000 MILES. SIX (6) DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING THAT MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS UP TO SEVEN (7) YEARS AND 100,000 MILES. I THINK THIS IS VERY CONVENIENT. THE LETTER IS DATED MAY, 2000. TWO WEEKS EARLIER I WAS STILL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT. I HAVE GIVEN THE DEALERSHIP PERMISSION TO FIX MY VEHICLE, BUT I AM AFRAID TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BEFORE SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENT IS REACHED. UNFORTUNATELY, GM/CHEVROLET IS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING ME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723950June 12, 2000
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
#1. AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY FLASH APPROX ONCE A SECOND, FOR 10 TO 15 SECONDS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED OR MOVING. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEY DID A SCAN WITH TECH 2 AND FOUND NO CODES SET. THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT GIVEN OTHER REPORTS OF NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE. #2 IF TURN SIGNAL LEVER IS NOT MOVED TO THE PHYSICAL STOP FOR A FLASH TO PASS, ONLY THE REAR TURN SIGNALS WILL FLASH. THEY FLASH FAST JUST LIKE WHEN ONE BULB IS BURNED OUT. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. #3 THIS IS THE 2.4L ENGINE. UPON DECCELARATING FROM AT LEAST 2ND GEAR ALMOST TO A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATING, THE TRANS HESITATES SLIGHTLY AND THUMPS INTO GEAR. THEN THE UPSHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR IS NOT A SMOOTH SHIFT BUT VERY HARD. EVEN THOUGH MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM DURING A TEST DRIVE WE BOTH MADE TOGETHER, HE STATES HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT ON THE PAPERWORK. SCAN TEST OK, NO CODES, OK AT THIS TIME. IT SEEMS TO ME, IF THERE IS NO CODES SET IN THE CONTROL MODULE THEN THERE CAN NOT BE A PROBLEM. WHAT DID MECHANICS DO BEFORE CARS HAD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULES? DID THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO SOME WORK TO IDENTIFY WHAT WAS WRONG? BY THE WAY, I AM A COMPUTER ENGINEER AND HAVE BEEN ONE FOR 35 YEARS. I PLAN TO CONTINUE PERSUING THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO OWN A 1998 CAVALIER WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE AND A 1999 BUICK CENTURY WITH THE 3.1L ENGINE. THE 1998 CAVAILER HAS THE SAME TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM BUT NOT THE OTHER 2 PROBLEMS. THE CENTURY HAS NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863425June 12, 2000
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. CONSUMER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE REAR ADHESIVE/GLUE WHICH HAS MELTED DUE TO THE HOT WEATHER CONDITION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723889June 11, 2000
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACING WITH LESS THAN 14 MONTHS OWNERSHIP. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN TENNESSEE. THE DIAGNOSTIC AND ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR WAS PROVIDED BY NALLEY CHEVROLET. I AM UNSURE OF THE RISK OF DRIVING THE CAR SAFELY UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE >$1100 REPAIR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OR TYPE OAF ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723806June 9, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WAS HEARD AND FELT TO MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS - BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT - BRAKES AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON. BRAKES WERE FINE AFTERWARDS BUT THE EXPERIENCE REPEATED A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT COULD BE CHECKED OUT. COMPUTER READING INDICATED DTC 38 (LEFT FRONT EMB WILL NOT HOLD MOTOR). AFTER 5 DAYS WHEN ABLE TO GET INTO DEALERSHIP THE DASH LIGHTS FINALLY WENT OUT AND DEALER UNABLE TO FIND A SYSTEM FAILURE. ONE YEAR LATER (JUNE 7-2000) SAME EXPERIENCE WITH CAR. WILL SEE IF DASH LIGHTS RESET IN A FEW DAYS. BRAKES WORK FINE EXCEPT FOR THAT MOMENT SOON AFTER STARTUP AND LEAVING HOUSE AREA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863254June 8, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TRANSMISSION WOULD KNOCK WHILE IN PARK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER'S SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. ALSO, ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT. ALL BRAKES AND FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#863179June 7, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT AT MPH OR IN REVERSE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT A WARNING. THERE WILL BE NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723648June 6, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN THE CENTER OF MY WINDSHIELD. THEY WERE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IN MARCH OF 1997 AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2000. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED IT WAS SNOWING. I SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT GM BUT THEY TOLD ME THE WORK DONE IS ONLY QUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. THE PRICE I WAS QUOTED TO HAVE THIS FIXED IS EXPENSIVE. 350 DOLLARS. I'M AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN EVERY COUPLE YEARS OR SO. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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