RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Nov 18, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 540 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10659080
Incident
Sep 5, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 11, 2009

HAVE HAD FUEL LINE, AND FUEL PUMP REPLACED. STILL GET A STRONG SMELL OF GAS.... CAN NOT GET RID OF THE ODOR. THERE IS NOT A GAS LEAK THAT IS VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE BUT THE SCENT STILL LINGERS INSIDE AND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10264997
Incident
Apr 4, 2009
Fuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2009

CALLED TO HAVE RECALL NUMBER 07E015000 AT DELPHI. PAUL (CUSTOMER SERVICE REP) CLEARLY WOULD NOT LET ME HAVE THE RECALL., AFTER ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258771
Incident
Feb 16, 2009
Fuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2005

CONSUMERS FUEL LINE LEAKED AND WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATE IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER PIN HOLE LEAK. *TS THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHILE DRIVING. HE LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE RETURN FUEL LINE RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE FULE LINE RNNING UP THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PIN HOLE LEAK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10138841
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2005

DT RECALL 00V053000 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE RETURN AND THE FEED LINE. THE RETURN LINE STARTED LEAKING FIRST AND THEN A MONTH LATER, THE FEED LINE STARTED LEAKING. NOTICED IT ON JULY 29, 2005 THIS IS WHEN THE RETURN METAL FITTING WAS LEAKING AND THE RETURN STARTED LEAKING ON AUGUST 29, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE PART THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE WHOLE UNIT, AND WITH LABOR WOULD COST $600.00 OR $700.00. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 02V070000. THIS VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER IT COMPLETELY. THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THE DEALER HAS NOT LOOKED AT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL 98V146000 CONCERNING AIR BAGS. VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. DID NOT HAVE THE DEALER CHECK THIS. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10136553
Incident
Jul 29, 2005
Mileage
112,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2005

DT: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CARS AND THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GAS TANK LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THERE WAS GAS. THERE WAS ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH DISPLAY THAT GAS WAS STILL IN THE TANK. CONSUMER REALIZED HE WAS OUT OF GAS AFTER HE COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO SEND HIS NEPHEW TO A CORNER GAS STATION TO GET SOME GAS TO PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE GAS WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE IT RESTARTED AND THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE. CONSUMER DID NOT CONSULT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EPROBLEM. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE INDICATOR DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO EMPTY WHEN IT WAS EMPTY. *AK THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT THE DEALER.*JB

NHTSA ID
10135391
Incident
May 20, 2004
Mileage
43,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 18, 2005

HEAD GASKET REPLACED @27000 MILES, FUEL PUMP @ 30000 AND AGAIN AT 96000 MILES. BRAKES REPLACED 2X A YEAR FOR 5 YEARS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY. FAN ONLY WORKS ON SPEED 3 OR 4. *NM

NHTSA ID
10106554
Incident
Jan 6, 2005
Mileage
96,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MACHINE CODES SHOWED THAT THE FUEL INJECTIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BUT THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, AND CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10092005
Incident
Sep 13, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATS WHEN IDLING AND IT WENT OUT. (NOISILY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A DENTIST'S DRILL) BEFORE GOING OUT I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PUMPING GAS FUMES INTO THE CAB AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BECAUSE IT IS IN THE GAS TANK IT COST ME OVER $700 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ID
10070754
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
48,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2003

CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS ALL THE TIME. WAS TOLD HAVE TWO LEAKS IN FUEL INJECTOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10049236
Incident
Nov 11, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2003

O-RING INJECTOR LEAKED GAS, AND GAS FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE O-RINGS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10038534
Mileage
36,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 16, 2003

AFTER HAVING MY 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FIXED AS PER THE RECALL I GOT IT BACK AND SMELLED GAS WHEN DRIVING IT HOME,TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. WHO DID THE WORK AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WAS LEAKING,AND THAT IT WASN'T DUE TO THE RECENT REPAIR WORK THEY DID,THE HEAD MECHANIC SHAWN SAID IT WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAVALIERS,IF IT IS COMMON TO THIS TYPE OF CAR SHOULD THEY HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018799
Incident
Apr 24, 2003
Mileage
84,197 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 26, 2003

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10009452
Incident
Feb 25, 2003
Mileage
56,200 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 21, 2001

CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMETIMES COULD TRY TO START ENGINE BUT IT WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM. ALSO, FUEL WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE COULD GET ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
883716
Incident
Mar 19, 2001
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2000

HORN: HAS NEVER WORKED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS RECEIVED. HAVE HAD THE DEALER FIX IT 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. HEATER FAN: FAILED DURING THE WINTER OF 1997. PAST WARRANTY PERIOD?? HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. ENGINE PROBLEM: STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WILL HESITATE AND JERK WHILE DRIVING IT. HAVE REPLACED: SPARK PLUG WIRES, PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHECKED. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 2 MILES. IGNITION: KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION/ REPLACED BY DEALER X 3.

NHTSA ID
717749
Incident
Dec 1, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Oct 23, 1999

CAR STUTTERS, THEN POWERS DOWN TO 10-15 MPH, THEN ETS & ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS COME ON. REPEATED TRIPS TO MECHANIC AND DEALER SHOW NOTHING WRONG. LATEST WAS CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. DLR CHGE'D. PROBLEM REPEATED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PICK UP FROM DLR. WILL DRIVE NORMAL W/ LIGHTS ON. HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS ASSOC. W/ A CRASH AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT OF LIGHTS ON FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
713754
Incident
Dec 10, 1998
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed Sep 2, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. BUT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
846526
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
EngineFuel system
Filed May 4, 1999

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HESITATING/STALLING, REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND PRESSURE REGULATOR DID NOT RECTIFY ENGINE STALLING. MJS

NHTSA ID
545326
Incident
Sep 9, 1997
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 7, 1999

ON MAY 29 1998 MY CARS ETS/ ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE CYLINDER MISFIRING, AND THEY TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS I WAS BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE CALLED THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT FOR HELP, AND THEY DID THIS ANOTHER TIME AS THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN MOVE TO FT. POLK LA. AS I AM IN THE MILITARY. ON 1 JAN 9, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY DID THE SAME THING THE OTHER SHOP DID. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON IT, REPLACING THE CYLINDER CAP/FUEL INJECTOR AND COIL HOUSING. AND THEY TALKED TO THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANTCE PERSONNEL AT CHEVROLET. THE LAST TIME I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP WAS 29JAN 99, AND THEY HOOKED A COMPUTER UP TO IT. DROVE IT FOR A WEEK TO TRY TO CREAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULD TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SYSTEM. BUT THE LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON. SO THEY GAVE ME BACK MY CAR WITH THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED, AND THE CHEVROLET CORP. WON'T DO ANY THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS ARE OUT OF SUGGESTIONS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE CHEVROLET CORP, AND FEEL THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T , AND THEY WON'T REPLACE THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
703023
Incident
May 29, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 1998

I PEVIOUSLY CALLED THIS IN BUT JUST RECEIVED IT THRU THE MAIL AND IT WAS NOT CORRECT. WHAT HAPPENED WAS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 7 MINUTES, IT WAS VERY LOW ON GAS I HAVE NEVER LET IT GET THAT LOW BEFORE, THE ROAD CURVED THEN CAME TO A STOP SIGN WHEN I DID STOP THE LIGHT THAT SAID "CHECK GAGES" CAME ON, I LOOKED THE ONLY GAGE THAT WAS LOW WAS THE GAS I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 2-4 MORE MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION. I PULLED IT STOPPED, TURNED OFF CAR, GOT OUT MY CREDIT CARD "TEXACO" PUT IT IN THE SLOT, WAITED FOR IT TO APPROVE, PULLED OUT PUMP, PRESSED BUTTON, UNCAPPED MY GAS TANK, PUT IN PUMP AND PRESSED THE HANDLE SO IT WOULD PUMP AUTOMATICALLY, WENT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR PUT MY CREDIT CARD BACK IN MY PURSE, CAME BACK AROUND TO PUMP AND STARTED TO HOLD THE HANDLE DOWN SO IT WOULD PUMP FASTER, ALL THE SUDDEN FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK, I YANKED OUT PUMPED AND MOVED AWAY. THE EMPLOYEES AT THE STATION CAME OUT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE POLICE SHOWED UP BUT DID NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS EXCEPT WAS THAT MY CAR AND WAS I ALRIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND LOOKED AROUND I GUESS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THEY DID MAKE A REMARK ABOUT POSSIBLY THE GAS TANK WAS NOT GROUNDED, WHICH COULD OF CAUSED IT TO GET VERY HOT BECAUSE IT WAS LOW ON GAS. BUT AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE A FORENSIC MECHANIC WITH THEM TO LOOK OVER THE CAR, SO THAT WAS MORE OR LESS A "GUESS" ON THEIR PART. I THEN FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF A TOW TRUCK SO THAT THEY COULD TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REFERENCE NO. FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONAIRE THAT WAS MAILED TO ME IS 831265.

NHTSA ID
701443
Incident
Nov 21, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Nov 24, 1998
Fire reported1 injury reported

WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER SAID NO FAULTY PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
831268
Incident
Nov 21, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Nov 24, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING LOW ON GAS AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO GO THE GAS STATION. WHILE THE CONSUMER PUT THE PUMP INTO THE TANK, THERE WERE FUMES COMING FROM THE GAS TANK, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
831265
Incident
Nov 21, 1998
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jun 3, 1998

FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED CAUSING STALLING ON TWO OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID
536250
Incident
Mar 16, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .