2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical5717.2%
- Brakes4212.7%
- Engine329.7%
- Fuel system298.8%
- Transmission298.8%
- Steering267.9%
- Airbags216.3%
- Suspension154.5%
- Body & structure144.2%
- Visibility113.3%
- Seat belts113.3%
- Driver assistance92.7%
- Exterior lighting72.1%
- Interior & seats72.1%
- Other / unspecified72.1%
- Tires & wheels61.8%
- Powertrain (other)51.5%
- Heating & air conditioning30.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE LEVER BECAME STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE HOOD WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THERE WERE ALSO MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOORS, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WIRING IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *LN
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SOMETIMES, DURING REGULAR BRAKING, REAR BRAKES LOCK AND CAR DOES NOT STOP. HAPPENS ON ASPHALT EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO STEM FROM A FEW CAUSES AT TIME OF PRODUCTION.
MY CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN AND BEGAN TO DRAG AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE LEVER BECAME STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE HOOD WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THERE WERE ALSO MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
MY CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN AND BEGAN TO DRAG AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREE WAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT TRIES BUT WON'T START. ALL POWER IS WORKING AND STARTER AND ALTERNATOR ARE TRYING TO WORK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND AFTER WAITING 15-20 MINUTES, HE AS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND FELT SOMETHING DROP FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE; THEREFORE, IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,675 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,525.
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILE PH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR HESITATED ACTED LIKE IT COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR -THE TRACK OFF LIGHT WAS ON-I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE NO WET CONDITIONS THIS HAPPENED MORE THEN TEN TIMES. HAD CAR LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT RESETS AFTER TURNING OFF CAR AND STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT WAS CHECKED ON COMPUTER FOUND NO PROBLEM BUT ON LAST TIME THE CAR DIED AS I WAS DRIVING INTO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS AGAIN CHECK AND THE REPAIR MAN SHOWED ME THAT HE SHOULDN'T GET ANY INFO BECAUSE IT WASN'T SENDING INFO TO HIS COMPUTER. THIS SCARES ME I DRIVE MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THIS CAR .IT IS STILL DRIVABLE BUT FOR SHORT DISTANCES. I I HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO INFO ON THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER TO PUT ON THEIR COMPUTER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG MY REPAIR PERSON THINKS THE PCM NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A FAILURE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC RESET THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
MY KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND IN THE ON POSITION, AND ALSO ANOTHER TIME THE CAR KEY TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND MY BRAKES LOCKED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A CRASH. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED I HAVE LEARNED SINCE THEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CHEVROLET CAVALIERS AND I WORRY THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT MY AIRBAGS WONT PROPERLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD. NOW MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE LEAKS CAUSED BY THE CRACKING. *TR
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.
3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HAVE TO PAY THE COSTLY REPAIR BILLS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WHOLE FRONT DASH HAS MANY CRACKS IN IT AND APPEARS TO BE DANGER SINCE PIECES ARE FLYING OFF AS I DRIVE.
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED I HAVE LEARNED SINCE THEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CHEVROLET CAVALIERS AND I WORRY THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT MY AIRBAGS WONT PROPERLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD. NOW MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE LEAKS CAUSED BY THE CRACKING. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS 20-30 MPH WITH FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON,IT BECAME MORE,AND MORE EVIDENT OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. FIRST THERE WAS AN INCREASING BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. A CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANEL HAS MELTED BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CARPET ITS POSSIBLE THAT IT BEING WINTER MOISTURE FROM MELTED SNOW SOMEHOW MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN, A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SEEMS TO PULL MULTIPLE CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I WANT TO NOTE THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF MY REAR DEFROSTED WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH, I HAD TO PULL THE 30 AMP FUSE THAT STILL HAD A COMPLETE CIRCUIT IN IT! *TR
THE DEFROST WOULDN'T WORK WHEN REALLY RAINY OR COLD AND THIS STARTED IN WINTER OF 2009. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE AC WORKED ONLY WHEN FAN WAS ON MED OR HIGH, BUT FINALLY ONLY ON HIGH. THESE WERE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS: AC DUE TO BLOWER RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND DEFROST CAUSED BY A RESISTOR BURNED OUT. AC STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. IF THIS WASN'T FIXED ANY SOONER COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE I'M SURE. NOW I HAVE TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW THAT I HAVE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. WITH THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAD NO SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. O2 SENSOR REPLACED @ 68,000 AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED @ 56,000 AND THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE REPLACED. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WITH A 18 WHEELER IT HIT THE SIDE THE WENT AROUND TO THE FRONT THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR TWO KIDS AND ONE ADULT DRIVER THE SEAT BELTS POPPED ALOOSED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT THIS IS A VERY BAD PROBLEM MY KIDS ARE ONLY TWO AND FIVE AND THERE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 2/15/2012. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO GREENLEAF COLLISION INC., LOCATED AT 5100 A. KENTUCKY AVENUE, NASHVILLE,TN 37209,615.320.7818, OWNER [XXX]. ON 2/16/2012 MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN TO GREENLEAF COLLISION INC, FOR REPAIRS. ONCE I FOUND OUT FROM GREENLEAF COLLISION, INC. THAT MY CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2001 WAS ON RECALL LIST TO BE REPAIRED FOR "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE", GENERAL MOTORS. THE GREENLEAF COLLISION INC., HAD MY CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2001, TOWED TO FREELAND CHEVROLET 5333 HICKORY HOLLOW PARKWAY, ANTIOCH, TN. 37013, 615.731.3020. MY CHEVROLET CAVALIER, IS IN THE RECALL FOR "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE", ONCE MY VEHICLE WAS SENT OVER TO FREELAND CHEVROLET FOR REPAIR OF THE "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE", TO MY UNDERSTANDING BY GREENLEAF COLLISION INC. I WAS INFORMATED THAT MY VEHICLE THE CHEVROLET CAVALIER, WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE", ON 3/8/2012 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WERE MY CHEVROLET CAVALIER," IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE" . MY WAS TOTALED OUT, THE VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, AND WE WERE HIRE AND TOTALED OUT. MY "IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE" WITH MY CHEVROLET CAVALIER TOTALED OUT, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED, AT FREELAND CHEVROLET ON 3/7/2012 THE" IGNITION SWITCH", WAS NOT REPLACE/NOR REPAIRED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT, AND I WAS LEFT WITHOUT VEHICLE COMPENSATION, AND I WAS INJURED, AND MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE INJURED ALSO. I HAVE AN CLAIM NUMBER WITH GENERAL MOTORS:[XXX]. WHO HAS A THIRD PARTY COMPANY NAMED ESIS/GM CENTRAL CLAIMS UNIT P.O. BOX 300, DETROIT, MI 48265-3000. 800.888.0164. ESIS/GM CENTRAL CLAIMS UNIT HAS NOT PROCESSED MY CLAIM WITH THE" IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE", ON THE CHEVROLET CAVALIER. I REQUEST HELP IN RECEIVING COMPENSATION ON MY TOTALED OUT VEHICLE. YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY NEED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I,WAS COMING FROM WALMART .ONTO THE THREE LANE HIGHWAY ,I CROSSED OVER INTO THE LANE THEN I SAW THIS CAR ,I HIT MY BRAKES ,THEY FROZE AND MY CAR SLID INTO THE FINDER OF THE OTHER CAR ,I COULD NOT STOP AND IT SLED ONTO THE OTHER LANE AND STOPPED. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, HIGH BEAMS WILL NOT WORK. AN ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS IS LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY TRAY AND IS CORRODED AND CRACKING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000) AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E026000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOORS, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WIRING IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *LN
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD TO HAVE MY PASSENGER BACK DOOR LATCH REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED, THAT COST ME ABOUT $200. THIS YEAR MY DRIVER BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, AND MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING, THE HANDLE GETS HARDER TO OPEN WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THIS CONCERNS ME FOR SAFETY REASONS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO GM AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MY SISTER ALSO OWNS A 2001 CAVALIER AND HER DOORS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION, I KNOW MY CAR IS NOT BRAND NEW, BUT IS IT NOT OLD EITHER AND HAVING DOORS THAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT TO MENTION COSTLY TO HAVE REPAIRED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.
REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF THE STUFF WRONG. TLC SUCKS. OH YEAH I FORGOT THE SENDING UNIT WILL BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME INN THREE YEARS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLAS XTRAC-TRAC TIRES (NA), SIZES P185/75/R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT SUDDENLY. THE TIRE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY LEAKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO ALIGNMENT NEEDED. THE TIRE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WARRANTED UP TO 45,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FLAT TIRES ON THE SET OF BF GOODRICH TIRES ON MY 2001 CAVALIER. THE TIRES HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY ROAD DAMAGE, BUT HAVE INSTEAD JUST DRY ROTTED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GO FLAT AS I AM DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS GIVE FOUR BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE. THE PROBLEMS DID NOT STOP THERE AND I HAVE SINCE HAD SEVERAL FLATS THAT TOOK PLACE AS I WAS DRIVING, WHICH AS ANYONE KNOWS IS A HORRIBLE TIME TO HAVE A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE LEVER BECAME STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE HOOD WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THERE WERE ALSO MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
MY CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN AND BEGAN TO DRAG AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOTH, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CRAFTMANSHIP AND I WILL NEVER BY A CHEVROLET AGAIN. *NM
DT: THERE WAS HISSING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, AND CONSUMER FOUND THE AC HOSE HAD CHAFFED OUT. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE AC HOSE, BECAUSE IT HAD UNFASTENED FROM IT'S HOOKS. AND IT WAS LEANING ON THE PULLEY. THAT LET ALL THE FREON OUT. WHEN THE REPAIR MAN WAS CALLED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY CAVALIERS. CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET THAT ALL THE FREON IS IN THE ATMOSPHERE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .