RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
40
Latest Nov 4, 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.
7%
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 40 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 visibility

The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words

ElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 4, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10652496
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Visibility
Filed Jan 18, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10377040
Incident
Jan 18, 2009
Mileage
180,000 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Aug 22, 2008

1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *NJ AN INSPECTION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG. *JB

NHTSA ID
10239352
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Visibility
Filed Jun 12, 2005

I HAVE A 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CONVERTIBLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IN 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW QUITE WORKING.

NHTSA ID
10125045
Incident
Sep 1, 1999
Mileage
49,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 24, 2005

INCIDENT TO REPORT: 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BACK WINDOW CRACKED WHEN CLOSED DOOR. THIS RESULTED IN BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER MY INFANT'S CAR SIT AND TOYS. IF MY INFANT WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, SHE WOULD HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10107803
Incident
Jan 23, 2004
Visibility
Filed Aug 16, 2004

MY DRIVER WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK AND FELL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR-THE GLASS DIDNT BRAKE BUT IT FELL FOR NO REASON-IT COULD HAVE SHATTERED-IS THIS A COMMON OCCURANCE??ITS A 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER-2 DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10086987
Incident
Aug 7, 2004
Mileage
76,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 12, 2003

WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022930
Incident
Jan 17, 2003
Mileage
70,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 24, 2003

WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, THEY STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THIS POSES A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10008050
Incident
Jan 3, 2003
Mileage
81,844 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 5, 2003

THE WIPERS ON VEHICLE ARE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THE WIPERS WORK IN RAIN, BUT WHEN TURNED OFF, THEY STOP RIGHT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, IMPAIRING DRIVERS VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ID
10006605
Visibility
Filed Jul 23, 2002

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, CAUSING WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERABLE.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
8014484
EngineInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Jul 12, 2002

ABOUT 1-2 MONTHS AGO MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND SHE SAID THAT ALL OF THE SYSTEMS(I.E. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES, INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS, ETC.) STARTED GOING OFF ALL AT ONCE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD'T PUSH IN, THERE WAS A LOUD BUXXING NOISE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ALONG (SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO PLAY A ROLE) AND THE CAR WILL REACT IN A SIMILAR MANNER AND STOP RUNNING. AFTER THIS HAPPENS, IT CAN TAKE US UP TO 10-15 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. JUST THIS MORNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND IF THE TRUCK BEHIND US HAD NOT SWERVED AS IT DID, IT WOULD HAVE TOTALLED OUR CAR. WE THEN SPENT ALMOST 20 MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO START OUR CAR.(THIS WAS SUBMITTED BY BRIAN QUINNEY - HUSBAND OF SAID OWNER). *AK

NHTSA ID
764152
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 13, 2002

CONSUMER STATES ONE WEEK PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL 02V07, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO HAVING THE PART REPLACED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
565758
Incident
Mar 13, 2002
Visibility
Filed Apr 26, 2002

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS UP, THE SUPPORT MECHANISM CAN NOT SUPPORT THE WINDOWS AND THE CLIPS EVENTUALLY BREAK. CHEVROLET WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO THE OWNERS TO LOWER THE WINDOWS OR DEVELOP A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS PRESSURE CAN ALSO PUT STRESS ON THE WINDOW AUTOMATIC MOTORS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.*AK

NHTSA ID
761227
Incident
Apr 18, 2002
TransmissionVisibility
Filed Apr 6, 2002

I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANS, AND SHE HAD JUST PEPLACED HER TRANSMISSION. ALSO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE MOTOR IS GONE IN THE WINDOW. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE WINDOWS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF IT COULD BE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE MONEY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ID
760342
Incident
Feb 7, 2002
Visibility
Filed Aug 29, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. LAST WINTER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON DURING A SNOW STORM WIPERS WERE STUCK ON WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
895422
Incident
Sep 27, 1999
Visibility
Filed Jun 13, 2001

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARM DOES NOT PARK IN THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF, THE WIPERS WOULD REMAIN IN UPRIGHT POSITION DISTRACTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW, DELAY FEATURE STOPS AT A HIGHER PAUSE LEVEL, ON ONE OCCASION WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY, DEALER STATES THE ARM WAS DISENGAGED CAUSING FAILURE.*YH

NHTSA ID
561595
Incident
May 9, 2001
Visibility
Filed Jun 7, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHENEVER SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT RETURN TO DOWN POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FOR REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ID
889988
Incident
May 17, 2001
EngineVisibility
Filed May 2, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSTION, COOLANT LEAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
744848
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AFTER BEING TURNED OFF, STAY UP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER HAS REDUCED VISIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
886475
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Apr 18, 2001
Fire reported

CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, HORN WAS BLOWING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUTSIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEREFORE, THEY WOULDN'T BE LIABLE. ALLSTATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOOK ONE LOOK,AND COULD TELL IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CHEVROLET DEALER WAS NOT RESPONDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. VEHICLE WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAD REPLACED THE OIL PUMP, SOLENOID, AND EXHAUST HOWEVER LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SKIPS AND CHATTERS ACROSS WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BLADE. TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE LEVER, COMPARTMENT LID RELEASE BROKE. CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ID
886186
Incident
Apr 7, 2001
Visibility
Filed Apr 17, 2001

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION. IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. I HAVE ERAD SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
744199
Incident
Apr 7, 2001
Visibility
Filed Feb 23, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE LEFT WITH LIMITED FIELD OF VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD WIPERS BLOCK DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE ONCOMING CARS, CREATE BLINDSPOTS, AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
741401
Incident
Dec 14, 2000
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jan 23, 2001

HORN WAS INOPERABLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM IF NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, WINDSHIELD HAS SPOTS ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK RUBBER COVER ON ACCELERATOR REFUSES TO STAY ON. *YH

NHTSA ID
878778
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Oct 13, 2000

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO RODENTS ACCESSING THE AIR CONDITIONING /HEATING SYSTEM, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM DUE TO NESTING AND DEAD RODENTS, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE AND PREVENTED THE AIR CONDITIONER FROM FUNCTIONING, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE STRUCTURE OR VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PASSAGE TO THE INTERIOR SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE. *MJS

NHTSA ID
556083
Visibility
Filed Oct 2, 2000

REAR WINDOW DISLODGED & FLEW OUT OF THE BACK WHILE DRIVING 45MPH. ADHESIVE HAD MELTED FROM THE HEAT & MADE THE REAR WINDOW LOOSE. HAVE TAKEN PICTURES. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
871989
Incident
Aug 12, 2000

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .