RoadVitals

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Suspension Problems

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

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
21
Latest Oct 29, 2012
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 315 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 suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 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 suspension

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

Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 29, 2012

BROKEN K-MEMBER /477-03540. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482531
Incident
Oct 23, 2012
Mileage
54,302 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 2006

THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY VEHICLE. ON MAY 29, 2006 WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY MAJOR ROAD THE AXLE AND BALL JOINT ON MY 2000 CHEVY CAVALIER BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO BEND OUTWARD AND CAUSING BODY DAMAGE TO THE FENDER ABOVE THE TIRE. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT GAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY ROAD UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158935
Incident
May 29, 2006
Other / unspecifiedSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed May 9, 2006

BOUGHT 2000 CHEVY CAVALIER FROM BAY POINT TOWING IN CONCORD ON 4/8/06 AFTER ONE WEEK OF DRIVING VEHICLE THE FRONT STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE FRONT WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP MAKE IT HARD TO STEER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND BOTH DECLINED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO TOO MANY PARTS MISSING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. ONE MECHANIC STATED THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157136
Incident
Apr 16, 2006
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 16, 2005

WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD POPPING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WOULD DISPLAY A LOUD RUMBLE AT TIMES AND WOULD LESSEN AFTER DRIVING. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10107493
Incident
Jan 18, 2005
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Jan 12, 2005

THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 2917 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM AT 6237 MILES THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A STRUT MOUNT AND A BEARING PLATE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE O2 SENSOR AND STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10109484
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Mileage
2,917 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 29, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH A FIRE STARTED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083853
Incident
Jun 3, 2004
Mileage
118,031 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 21, 2004

BOUGHT 2000 CAVALIER 2/9/04. HAD 34,000 MILES. PROBLEM 1: CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT END WHEN TURNING. REPLACED RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT. STILL HAD NOISE. REPLACED RIGHT FRONT STRUT AGAIN, MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES, LEFT STRUT, RACK AND PINION, BALL JOINTS. STILL MAKES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. 2 DAYS LATER RETURNED TO SHOP - 6 WEEKS LATER AND CHEVY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT. STILL MAKES NOISE. PROBLEM 2: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPLACED GAS CAP =LIGHT OFF 2 DAYS. LIGHT ON AGAIN=WIRING HARNESS=LIGHT OFF 2 DAYS. LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS CAR IN WORKING CONDITION. EVERY ATTEMPT TO FIX IT HAS FAILED. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP BUYING PARTS AND LABOR AND IT NEVER BE FIXED. HALF OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP AND 100% OF THE TIME IT HAS BEEN BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10078553
Incident
Feb 9, 2004
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Apr 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WHEEL BEARING, CALIPER. AND BOTH FRONTAL ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THIS WAS THE TWELFTH SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED THIS YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10069295
Incident
Apr 22, 2004
Suspension
Filed Mar 15, 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO A 80 DEGREE ANGLE HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10063186
Incident
Mar 8, 2004
Mileage
51,200 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 19, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. WHEN STEERING COLUMN TURNED IT MADE A NOISE, AND IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 5 TIMES. *AK THE NOISE COULD BE FELT IN THE FLOOR BOARD. THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS MISPOSITIONED AND CAUSED NOISE AS WELL. THE ARM ASSEMBLY FRONT CONTROL LOWER RIGHT AND THE STEERING SHAFT INTERMEDIATE WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS LOOSE AT THE CRADLE. *SC

NHTSA ID
10052272
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsSteering+1 more
Filed Nov 1, 2003

POPPING SOUND AND FEEL WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN WORKED ON TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM; INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN OPENING DRIVERS DOOR; TOP PORTION OF DASH IS SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE; MAKES LOTS OF CRACKLING NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045236
Incident
Feb 1, 2002
Mileage
4,500 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+3 more
Filed Jun 20, 2003

WE BOUGHT A USED CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM THE YEAR 2000 WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (GM CERTIFIED) FOR 3 MONTHS OR 3,000 MILES. SINCE THE BEGINNING THERE WERE 4 PROBLEMS NOT YET FIXED. 1 - THERE IS A POPPING NOISE UNDER THE BACK OF THE CAR. DEALER (KOONS CHEVROLET - WITHE MARSCH, MD) SAID HE COULDN'T DUPLICATE. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR FOR THE 3RD TIME, HE SAID THE BRAKES WERE DIRTY AND HE CLEANED THEM, BUT THIS NOISE IS STILL HERE, WHEN STARTING AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE, OR WHEN RIDING ON A ROUGH ROAD. 2 - THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT WHEN DRIVING. IT'S STOPPING WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT'S LINKED WITH THE BRAKES FOR SURE. THE PADS ARE NEW AND THE DEALER SAID THE ROTOR MAKES HIS NOISE, BUT HE REFUSED TO CHANGE IT (WHEREAS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY). HE SAID IT'S NOT UNSAFE. BUT THIS NOISE IS COMING LOUDER AND I FEEL LIKE A LOSS OF CONTROL. 3 - THE ABS LIGHT COME ON EVERY SINGLE DAY WHILE DRIVING AND NOT BRAKING. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER CHANGED THE BULB. THE 2ND TIME PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVE) HE CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR, BECAUSE MY CAR BROKE DOWN THE DAY BEFORE (NO MORE POWER AT ALL). HE SAID THE ALTERNATOR PUTTED A LOW VOLTAGE TO THE ABS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVE. AND I NEED TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED, AND THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I AM GOING TO THE DEALER. I THINK HE'S PLAYING WITH ME, SO THAT MY CAR WON'T BE UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE, AND I WOULD PAY TO CHANGE STUFFS IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023484
Incident
Apr 20, 2003
Mileage
42,156 mi
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jun 13, 2003

I HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE FIRST PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WAS IN OCT 2001,WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE MAXIMUM READING WITHOUT WARNING, I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. WAITED A WHILE STARTED BACK WENT APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MI AND SAME PROBLEM,AFTER STOPPING 3-4 TIMES I STARTED BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH TEMP GAUGE IN THE RED FOR A APPROX 1 MILE AND ALL GAUGES RETURNED TO NORMAL. CHEVROLET GARAGE COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH COOLING SYSTEM..MY SECOND PROBLEM I KEEP HEARING A CLANGING/RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT AREA OF VEHICLE WHILE SITTING STILL IF YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL YOU CAN HEAR A THUMP FROM THE FRONT LEFT AREA WHERE STRUT IS LOCATED..MY THIRD PROBLEM IS MY CHECK ENGINE/SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AT VARIOUS TIMES. MY FOURTH PROBLEM I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT ROTORS THREE TIMES NOW DUE TO THEM WARPING,THE FIRST TIME I HAD LESS THEN 10,000 MILES....... *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023001
Incident
Oct 5, 2001
Mileage
35,900 mi
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Jun 11, 2002

A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, PROBLEM DUE TO STRUT MOUNT AND ISOLATOR GOING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011554
Incident
May 31, 2002
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 25, 2001

CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR VARIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, BUT WAS TOLD THAT CAVALIER CONVERTIBLE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BECAUSE IT WILL BUCKLE AND WILL FALL APART.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDOWS, DOORS AND ROOF ARE MAKING NOISE.*SLC

NHTSA ID
898205
Incident
Jul 23, 2001
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 8, 2001

CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY, WAS NOISY WHEN CHANGING GEARS, AND WOULD JERK ONCE IN GEAR, DEALER FOUND MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING AND REPLACED IT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
561509
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
Suspension
Filed May 1, 2001

LOUD CRACKLING SOUND UNDER DRIVER SIDE OF CAR FROM FRONT TO REAR WHEN TEMP IS ABOVE 50 / FRONT END RATTLES (SOUNDS LIKE A CHAIN) WHEN A BUMP IS HIT..STEERING FEELS LOOSE AT THAT TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
744811
Suspension
Filed Apr 24, 2001

VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE ALL OVER WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TOLOCATE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ID
886607
Incident
Apr 5, 2001
SuspensionVisibility
Filed Jun 30, 2000

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN STOPPING, VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A THUMPING NOISE. CURRENTLY, WOULD HEAR THUMPING NOISE AGAIN WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. ALSO, POWER WINDOWS' MOTOR BURNED OUT DUE TO A A FACTORY DEFECT. MECHANIC PUT A NEW MOTOR BUT WINDOWS WERE STILL NOT OPERABLE. BE. *AK

NHTSA ID
864636
Incident
Jun 29, 2000
Suspension
Filed Feb 2, 2000

WHILE DRIVING REAR LEAF SPRING U- BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE REAR END TO DROP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
856027
Suspension
Filed Jan 18, 2000

SPRINGS ARE TOO WEAK CAUSING POOR STABILITY AND CONTROL. YH

NHTSA ID
550449

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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .