1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems

THE GAS GAUGE IS GOING HAYWIRE. IT PEGS TO THE "F", AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PEGS TO THE "E", EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS HALF FULL. THE GAUGE THEN JUMPS AROUND THE MIDDLE FORM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MUCH IS IN THE TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,467.

THE ENGINE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE AND THE GAS PUMP KEPT MESSING UP AND THE GAS NEEDLE DOESN,T SHOW CORRECT IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE A QUARTER TANK, AND THE THROTTLE SENSOR IS MESSED UP I WAS ON I-4 WHICH IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN ORLANDO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE WAS ON BUT LOSS POWER AND STALLED OUT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME ABNORMALLY SOFT AND THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE COMPONENT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

THE STARTER WENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT DID TIRES START RUBBING THE SUCKS WENT OUT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND A SECOND TIME START RUBBING I END UP BUYING THREE TIMES CUZ THEY GOT BALL REAL FAST THE WIRING UNDER THE ENGINE RIPPED APART AND NOW IT'S THREW A ROD. *TR

I HAVE A Z24 AND MY CAR STALLS OUT AND TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING I HAVE CONTACTED A CHEVY DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAVALIER'S DO, BUT MY TYPE OF VEHICLE(Z24) ISN'T AFFECTED. EXPLAINED IT IS AND THEY SHOULD SEE ABOUT THIS. AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED. ALSO, WHEN RESEARCHING THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. WHY WOULD 1 TYPE OF CAR OF THE SAME YEAR HAVE THE PROBLEM AND NOT ALL OF THEM? IT HAS THE SAME COMPONENTS JUST DESIGNED A LITTLE DIFFERENT. *TR

STEERING DOES NOT TURN GOING AT A RATE OF 5 MPH. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE IN ANY SELECTED GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE TRIED TO COONTACT DEALSHIPS, AND AM BEING TOLD MY VEHICLE DOESN'T "SHOW UP"? YET MY CAR IS VERIFIED FROM WWW.NHTSA.GOV ( MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN040002 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER04V036.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON ICE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED SPINE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

I HEARD VIBRATION BY THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED I COULD ACTUALLY MOVE (WOBBLE) THE WHEEL, IT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME ACCORDING TO 3 CAR SHOPS. I EVEN TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED, THERE ARE PARTS OF THE UNIBODY FRAME THAT ARE JUST MISSING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, BUT DUE TO THE FRAME ISSUE ITS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAY TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. ANY RECALLS ON THE 1998 CAVALIER?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE SUB FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

(1) MY COUSIN WAS DRIVING HER 1998 CAVALIER WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (2) HER DRIVER'S SIDE CHAIR BROKE LOSE AND HER SEAT BELT CAME OUT OF ITS FASTENER AND THE METAL "HOOK" STRIKING HER BODY RESULTING IN A LACERATION. HER BODY WAS THEN THROW FORWARD WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HER HEAD TWICE RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION, BLACK EYE, SWOLLEN FOREHEAD AND OTHER CUTS AND BRUISES. ADDITIONALLY, AT THE POINT OF IMPACT, DESPITE THE FORCE WITH WHICH SHE WAS STRUCK, HER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE FURTHER PREVENTED HER STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. EVERY SAFETY DEVICE IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED MISERABLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. SINCE THE 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IS DONE I HAVE TO RELY ON THE PARTS WARRANTY, WHICH DOES NOT HELP ME IF I HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVERY YEAR. THREE SAME EXACT SENSORS REPLACED LESS THAT TWO YEARS IS SENSELESS. *AK

CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AND HAS DONE SO SINCE THE FIRST RAIN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE OF 1998. VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST YEARS. HEAVY RAIN FLOODS THE FRONT SEATS OF THE VEHICLE AS DOES WASHING. FINALLY GAVE UP AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCESSFUL ATTEMPTS. SLOWLY OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS THE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE BAD PREVENTING ME FROM ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN. THEY GET STUCK AND DON'T ROLL UP. ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY WINDOWS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR PANELS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FRIEND AS WELL AS STRANGERS WHEN I SEE THEM DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE ALL THUS FAR EXPRESSED THE SAME PROBLEMS IN REGARDS TO LEAKING AND WINDOW MOTOR. I REFUSE TO PAY $350 + TO HAVE A $50 WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED SHOOTING GLASS UP AND OUT OF THE DOOR FRAME. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN. GLASS WAS BLOWN INTO THE PASSENGER,S LAP, THE BACK OF THE CAR AND OUTSIDE. MR

THE ENGINE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE AND THE GAS PUMP KEPT MESSING UP AND THE GAS NEEDLE DOESN,T SHOW CORRECT IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE A QUARTER TANK, AND THE THROTTLE SENSOR IS MESSED UP I WAS ON I-4 WHICH IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN ORLANDO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE WAS ON BUT LOSS POWER AND STALLED OUT.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. IN FACT, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE FIRST STARTED THE CAR, AND AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OR COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. MY BRAKES CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR, AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE CAR TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO PUT IT IN PARK ONCE I HAVE STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY I HEAR THE ENGINE STOP REVVING, AND THEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT'S WORKING NORMALLY. *AK

HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. NEITHER LOW OR HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK MAKING DRIVING AT NIGHT UNSAFE. SWITCH REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2004, OCTOBER 2006 AND OCTOBER 2007. THE SWITCH FROM OCTOBER 2004 HAD AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING FROM IT FOR THE TWO YEARS IT WAS INSTALLED WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. *TR

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP.... THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK... THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKES CAN LOCK UP AND SEVERE CONDITIONS, ON GRAVEL, OR ON EXTREMELY HARD STOPS....*JB

THE GAS GAUGE IS GOING HAYWIRE. IT PEGS TO THE "F", AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PEGS TO THE "E", EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS HALF FULL. THE GAUGE THEN JUMPS AROUND THE MIDDLE FORM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MUCH IS IN THE TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS.

THE ENGINE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE AND THE GAS PUMP KEPT MESSING UP AND THE GAS NEEDLE DOESN,T SHOW CORRECT IT WILL SAY YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE A QUARTER TANK, AND THE THROTTLE SENSOR IS MESSED UP I WAS ON I-4 WHICH IS A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN ORLANDO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE WAS ON BUT LOSS POWER AND STALLED OUT.

VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A DIP STICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO THEM IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE CHECKED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE DEALER WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS E-MAIL IS IN REGARDS TO MY 1998 CAVALIER RS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 29, 1998. JUST 14 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE CLUTCH GOES OUT. THEN IT GOES OUT FOUR TIMES THEREAFTER. A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES MY CLUTCH HAS WENT OUT. THE REASON I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW AUTOMOBILE WAS FOR THE DEPENDENCY OF THE CHEVROLET PRODUCT. I WAS MISTAKEN IN MY THINKING OBVIOUSLY. THAT DATES OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ARE AS FOLLOWS: 08/29/99, 04/05/01, 08/09/01, 10/17/01, 06/26/03. I UNDERSTAND THINGS GO WRONG WITH VEHICLES, BUT FIVE TIMES ON THE SAME PROBLEM. (NO THE CLUTCH IS NOT BEING RIDDEN.) THANKFULLY I HAVE REIMBURSMENT TOWING ON MY INSURANCE, CONSIDERING I WAS MILES AWAY FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 20, 1999 (13 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR). MY RECEIPT STATES ALL THE CYLYNDERS WERE MISFIRING. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2001 MY CATATYLIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. (DON'T EVER GO ON A TRIP IN THIS CAR!) ALL THE WORK STATED ABOVE WAS DONE BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS. THE CAR IS PAID FOR NOW AND THEY RECEIVED ALL OF THEIR MONEY OUT OF ME. I JUST HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. (THE CAR WAS IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S NAME, MARY H. DECKER 3416 ST ANN ST OWENSBORO, KY 42303. IT IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE NAME ON THE TITLE.)

THE STARTER WENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT DID TIRES START RUBBING THE SUCKS WENT OUT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND A SECOND TIME START RUBBING I END UP BUYING THREE TIMES CUZ THEY GOT BALL REAL FAST THE WIRING UNDER THE ENGINE RIPPED APART AND NOW IT'S THREW A ROD. *TR

FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, FRONT RIGHT TWICE. TAKEN TO DEALER DUE TO A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHEN DRIVING, BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT.*AK

THE STARTER WENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT DID TIRES START RUBBING THE SUCKS WENT OUT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND A SECOND TIME START RUBBING I END UP BUYING THREE TIMES CUZ THEY GOT BALL REAL FAST THE WIRING UNDER THE ENGINE RIPPED APART AND NOW IT'S THREW A ROD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JULY 24, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,656. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ A BROKEN WHEEL STUD AND NUT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED *JB

(1) MY COUSIN WAS DRIVING HER 1998 CAVALIER WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (2) HER DRIVER'S SIDE CHAIR BROKE LOSE AND HER SEAT BELT CAME OUT OF ITS FASTENER AND THE METAL "HOOK" STRIKING HER BODY RESULTING IN A LACERATION. HER BODY WAS THEN THROW FORWARD WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HER HEAD TWICE RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION, BLACK EYE, SWOLLEN FOREHEAD AND OTHER CUTS AND BRUISES. ADDITIONALLY, AT THE POINT OF IMPACT, DESPITE THE FORCE WITH WHICH SHE WAS STRUCK, HER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE FURTHER PREVENTED HER STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. EVERY SAFETY DEVICE IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED MISERABLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

THE PLASTIC COATING/LOCK MECHANISM ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER'S MALE SEATBELT PIECE IS DETERIORATING, CAUSING THE SEATBELT NOT LOCK THE BELT INTO PLACE. *AK

APPROXIAMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS STARTED. FIRST THE SEAT BELT COVERS SNAPPED OFF, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING STABILIZERS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH IS RARELY USED FAILED AT ABOUT 55-60,000 MILES, THE BATTERY BUSTED AND LEAKED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD, THE JACK WAS WARPED, THE GAS GUAGE READS INCORRECTLY, THE SUNROOF STOPPED WORKING AFTER 30000 MILES, DASH RATTLES, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT STAY CLOSED, PASS SEAT GETS STUCK WHEN YOU MOVE IT FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO APPLY MORE FORCE THAN USUAL TO GET IT MOVING, DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, MORE AIR THAN NORMAL COMES INTO VEHICLE, THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 30000 MILES, INSTALLED SIDEWINDER 6500 CAR ALARM WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER THE BATTERY BUSTED, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS NOT MENTIONED HERE.*AK

DEALER REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH PLATE BECAUSE IT WAS WARPED. WE HARDLY EVER USE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 27,012 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS FINALLY FIXED W WERE PAST THE 36 MONTHS FOR THE WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS AND THE CAR STILL ONLY HAD 30,437 MILES ON IT. HOW CONVENIENT FOR GM.*AK

1998 CHEVY CAVALIER RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. *TS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. *JB

THE SERVICE WRITER FIRST SAID, "IT'S OUT OF ALIGNMENT." I KNOW BETTER (I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR 21 YEARS). THEN HE SAID, "THE TIRE WAS RAN LOW." I SAID IT WASN'T. THEN HE SAID, "YOU DIDN'T ROTATE THE TIRES OFTEN ENOUGH." THEN HE SAID (IN CONFIDENCE), "GM USES JUNK TIRES." BUT THEY WON'T WARRANTY THE TIRES. AND I HAVE A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I ALSO KNOW THAT ALL CHEVY ASTROVANS HAVE THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM.( DOT NUMBER: ?? TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15 )

Transmission failed out of nowhere for no reason no check engine light yes available for inspection

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE SAFETY FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO SEVERAL ROCKS. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 121,566.