EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 315 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 383 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2004 | 5 | 229 |
| Nov 2004 | 4 | 233 |
| Dec 2004 | 2 | 235 |
| Jan 2005 | 3 | 238 |
| Feb 2005 | 2 | 240 |
| Apr 2005 | 3 | 243 |
| May 2005 | 4 | 247 |
| Jul 2005 | 2 | 249 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 251 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 252 |
| Dec 2005 | 2 | 254 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 255 |
| Feb 2006 | 3 | 258 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 259 |
| May 2006 | 2 | 261 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 262 |
| Jul 2006 | 3 | 265 |
| Sep 2006 | 2 | 267 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 268 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 269 |
| May 2007 | 2 | 271 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 272 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 273 |
| Jan 2008 | 1 | 274 |
| Feb 2008 | 2 | 276 |
| Mar 2008 | 2 | 278 |
| Apr 2008 | 1 | 279 |
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 280 |
| Sep 2008 | 2 | 282 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 283 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 284 |
| Feb 2009 | 1 | 285 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 286 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 287 |
| Jan 2010 | 2 | 289 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 290 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 291 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 292 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 293 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 294 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 295 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 296 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 297 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 298 |
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 299 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 300 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 301 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 302 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 303 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 305 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 306 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 307 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 308 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 309 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 310 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 311 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 312 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 313 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 314 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 315 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical6616.0%
- Engine5814.1%
- Brakes4711.4%
- Fuel system4310.4%
- Steering286.8%
- Body & structure276.6%
- Suspension215.1%
- Interior & seats204.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
7 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSTEERING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the interior passenger side directional signal began blinking rapidly while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that an onlooker observed that the exterior driver side indicator light was not illuminated when indicator was activated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior lighter fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the weather was cooler, the exterior indicator light was experiencing the failure; however, during warmer weather, the indicator lights operated properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
- NHTSA ID
- 11511963
- Incident
- Jan 30, 2019
- Mileage
- 20,800 mi
IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE
- NHTSA ID
- 11072678
- Incident
- Feb 6, 2018
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10850852
- Incident
- Mar 17, 2016
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
UNNECESSARY GAS ODORS. SEAT BELTS KEEP UNLOCKING. STEERING
- NHTSA ID
- 10816442
- Incident
- Dec 24, 2015
- Mileage
- 167,000 mi
REPORTING THIS AS A DEFECT ON CAR LIST ABOVE .I'M PA. STATE INSPECTION STATION. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY WE SEE AND REJECT FOR RUST OUT UNIT BODY REAR FRAMES . I FEEL THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEY OWN ONE THESE MODELS CAR COULD BUCKLE ON A REAR END COLLISION. I DID NOT SEE THIS ON YOUR SITE TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED THANKS KEN AT C&W PERFORMANCE PA. STATION # E7 .
- NHTSA ID
- 10764097
- Incident
- Sep 16, 2015
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I RETURNED AND HAD A NEW BELT TENSIONER INSTALLED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE NEW AIR CONDITIONER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD A NEW DRIVE BELT INSTALLED DURING THE REPAIR. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER I BEGAN HEARING A CHATTER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP POSITION AND HAD EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE BELT TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OF GOOD QUALITY. TODAY THE SHOP TRIED THREE DIFFERENT TENSIONERS AND STILL IT WAS NOT CORRECTING THE ISSUE. I EVEN DOUBLE CHECKED THE BELT ROUTING PATTERN TO ENSURE IT WAS CORRECT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BELT TENSIONERS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALL MY PRIOR FORD VEHICLE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TENSIONERS OF SAME DESIGN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS A BELT THAT BREAKS OR SLIDES OF A PULLEY DUE TO A FAULTY TENSIONER CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SITUATIONS. ALSO THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK.THE ODOMETER REGISTERS MILAGE DRIVEN BUT THE BACKLIGHT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.PLEASE LOOK INTO AND DONT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS ISSUE BECOME IMPORTANT.THANKS.
- NHTSA ID
- 10758684
- Incident
- May 10, 2014
- Mileage
- 97,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED CAUSING SHARP EDGES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS WERE NEAR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10725682
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2012
- Mileage
- 96,000 mi
WHILE PUMPING MY TIRES WITH AIR I NOTICED MY TWO BACK TIRES (A DIFFERENT BRAND FROM THE TWO FRONT TIRES) HAD CRACKING IN BETWEEN THE TREADS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HERE IS TIRE INFORMATION (AND DESIGNATIONS) AS DESIGNATED ON THE SIDEWALL: REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE: ACHILES PLATINUM MADE IN INDONESIA (5N1) MANUFACTURED BY MULTI STRADA ARAHSARANA TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RADIAL 195/70 R1491H MOLD NO. 03-02 E4 (ENCIRCLED) 0228041 DOT 5KJN HP 3606 THREAD: 1 POLYESTER, 2 STEEL, 2 NYLON; SIDEWALL 1 POLYESTER THREADWEAR 280 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A ODDLY ENOUGH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEEMS TO MATCH THE ABOVE INFORMATION WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS: THREADWEAR 420 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A MOLD NO. 03-03 WE BOUGHT TIRES FROM FIGUEROA TIRES IN LOS BANOS. WE DON'T HAVE A RECEIPT TO CONFIRM THIS. THESE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BEFORE 04/29/10 SINCE WE DID FIND A SERVICE ORDER RECEIPT FROM WALMART TIRE & LUBE EXPRESS DATED 04/29/10 THAT STATES IN THE TPMS AND TIRE DISCLAIMER RECEIPT: ACTIONS: REPLACE ONE OR MORE OF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE...REASONS: VISIBLE TIRE CUT, PUNCTURE, BALD SPOT, OR OTHER IRREGULARITY. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10668234
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2010
- Mileage
- 123,306 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
POWER TRAIN
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 287 | 1 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2004 | 330 | 2 | 0 | 47.2 |
| 2003 | 678 | 2 | 4 | 55.4 |
| 2002 | 196 | 5 | 0 | 54.5 |
| 2001 | 243 | 6 | 2 | 61.1 |
| 2000Viewing | 315 | 7 | 3 | 61.2 |
| 1999 | 240 | 8 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 1998 | 345 | 11 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 1997 | 540 | 13 | 4 | 66.9 |
| 1996 | 503 | 13 | 4 | 65.4 |
| 1995 | 270 | 9 | 1 | 61.2 |
| 1994 | 212 | 2 | 2 | 59.9 |
| 1993 | 146 | 2 | 1 | 56.9 |
| 1992 | 134 | 1 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 1991 | 55 | 3 | 2 | 63.7 |
| 1990 | 55 | 1 | 2 | 57.7 |
| 1989 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 55.2 |
| 1988 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 62.4 |
| 1987 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 63.1 |
| 1986 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 67.6 |
| 1985 | 4 | 3 | 5 | — |
| 1984 | 8 | 3 | 8 | — |
| 1983 | 3 | 6 | 6 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 6 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.