2002 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 2002 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
- Electrical3414.0%
- Brakes3112.8%
- Engine229.1%
- Fuel system187.4%
- Visibility166.6%
- Steering166.6%
- Airbags145.8%
- Driver assistance124.9%
- Exterior lighting124.9%
- Transmission124.9%
- Interior & seats114.5%
- Seat belts104.1%
- Suspension104.1%
- Body & structure93.7%
- Other / unspecified72.9%
- Tires & wheels62.5%
- Heating & air conditioning20.8%
- Powertrain (other)10.4%
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
KEY GET STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. CANNOT SHUT THE CAR OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY. MUST PULL IGNITION FUSE TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND THEN DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. GM ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM IN 2014 BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.
CAR WOULD JUST NOT TURN OVER. CAN NOT HEAR FUEL PUMP RUNNING. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED WAY TOO EARLY. BEGAN LEAKING. I'M TRYING TO REPLACE THEM MYSELF, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE 1500-2000 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. LUCKILY THE BRAKES PEDALS WENT TO THE FLOOR IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I FOUND THE LEAKS. *TR
DRIVER WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I684, ON THE EXIT RAMP TO 287 WEST, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED TO SHUT OFF, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND WENT NOSE FIRST INTO A DITCH, DAMAGING THE FRAME, RADIATOR, AIRCO AND NOSE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AUTOMOBILE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON A WELL MAINTAINED MOTOR. GM INSTALLED FAULTY OIL NOZZLE AS WELL AS TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN MOTOR ORIGINALLY BUT REFUSES RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH CHECKED AT GM CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER 4 MONTHS PRIOR COMPLAINING OF TIMING SYMPTOMS. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE AT THIS TIME. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL VEHICLES FROM 2002 AND 2003 THAT HAVE 2.2L ECOTEC MOTORS. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER IN 2005, AND AT THE TIME THERE WAS 25K ORIGINAL MILES SO I WAS TOLD. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND OUT THERE HAS BEEN 5 RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR VARIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, NONE OF WHICH I WAS EVER TOLD ABOUT PRIOR OR DURING MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE SIGNALS HAVE FAILED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED, THE BEARINGS ON THE TIRES CAUSED DRY ROT AND I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THOSE, BOTH WERE ON THE RECALL LIST. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT IN THE IDLE POSITION, AND THEY REPLACED AN AIR FILTER SITTING THAT AS THE PROBLEM AND IT WASN'T. THE PEDAL STICKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK, THE ROCKERARMS HAVE STARTED TO GO BAD AND IT HAS CAUSED THE VALVE STEMS TO BEND,THUS CAUSING THE OILPUMP TO SEIZE UP AND NOW MY CARS ENGINE HAS A BLOWN GASKET,THIS IS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPONENT SYSTEM RECALL, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN 2007. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. AND NOW IM PAYING 350 PER MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT RUNNING. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE OR NOT. THE NHTSA RECALL PAGE ISN'T WORKING AT THIS TIME AND THE CHEVY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ISN'T WILLING TO HELP. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE??
CAR WOULD JUST NOT TURN OVER. CAN NOT HEAR FUEL PUMP RUNNING. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT FLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD FILL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TANK SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. FINALLY, I NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUIDS TUBING INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WAS FLAWED. THE TUBING IS ROUTED SO THAT IT PASSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK AND SEATS UP AGAINST THE HOT CAR BATTERY. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE TUBING APPARENTLY HAD ROTTED AND MELTED, AND IT CREATED A HUGE HOLE IN THE TUBING. I DO NOT KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DECIDED TO PASS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, AND SEAT THIS TUBING UP AGAINST THE BATTERY, AND THEN GO DOWN AGAIN, AND FINALLY FIT INTO THE BOTTOM VALVE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, BUT IT SEEMS POINTLESS AND STUPID AND A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW!!! NOW, I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS TUBING REPAIRED AND PROBABLY REROUTED THE SIMPLER ROUTE, WHICH WOULD ALLOW IT TO BYPASS THE BATTERY, COMPLETELY, INSTEAD OF PRACTICALLY WRAPPING IT AROUND THE BATTERY!!! *TR
THE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BURNED OUT ON BOTH OF MY AUTOMATIC WINDOWS AT A LOW MILEAGE. THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE MUST BE REPLACED AT 60,000. I RARELY USE THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE BOTH FAILED. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE OR NOT. THE NHTSA RECALL PAGE ISN'T WORKING AT THIS TIME AND THE CHEVY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ISN'T WILLING TO HELP. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE??
DRIVER WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I684, ON THE EXIT RAMP TO 287 WEST, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED TO SHUT OFF, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND WENT NOSE FIRST INTO A DITCH, DAMAGING THE FRAME, RADIATOR, AIRCO AND NOSE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Horn doesn't work..replaced fuse still not working..so I wonder if my air bag will work...how do I fix it no body know not even the dealer
Was in a horrible car wreck yesterday and none of my airbag is avoid but yet my no check engine light none of my lights were on so I don't understand the problem you could have nearly killed me is what I got spent around three times and put back at the gas station that I left
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I DROVE MY 02 CHEVY CAVALIER ON THURSDAY BACK FROM TAHOE,CA AND MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN AND KEPT INCREASING IN SPEED, SO I PRAYED AND THEN STARTED TO MESS WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL AND FINALLY CAME BACK UP, THIS MORNING SAME THING HAPPENED, SO I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE REP-ERIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSES BEFORE I CAN GET ANY ANSWERS, HE CALLED UP THE CLOSEST DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE HIM A QUOTE, I WOULD RATHER BUY A NEW CAR IF I HAVE TO PAY MONEY FOR A DIAGNOSES. THIS INCIDENT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS ON ITS OWN. I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AS OF RIGHT NOW AND AM STILL USING MY CAR FOR WORK. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY I SHOULD DO?? *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER IN 2005, AND AT THE TIME THERE WAS 25K ORIGINAL MILES SO I WAS TOLD. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND OUT THERE HAS BEEN 5 RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR VARIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, NONE OF WHICH I WAS EVER TOLD ABOUT PRIOR OR DURING MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE SIGNALS HAVE FAILED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED, THE BEARINGS ON THE TIRES CAUSED DRY ROT AND I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THOSE, BOTH WERE ON THE RECALL LIST. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT IN THE IDLE POSITION, AND THEY REPLACED AN AIR FILTER SITTING THAT AS THE PROBLEM AND IT WASN'T. THE PEDAL STICKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK, THE ROCKERARMS HAVE STARTED TO GO BAD AND IT HAS CAUSED THE VALVE STEMS TO BEND,THUS CAUSING THE OILPUMP TO SEIZE UP AND NOW MY CARS ENGINE HAS A BLOWN GASKET,THIS IS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPONENT SYSTEM RECALL, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN 2007. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. AND NOW IM PAYING 350 PER MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT RUNNING. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE OR NOT. THE NHTSA RECALL PAGE ISN'T WORKING AT THIS TIME AND THE CHEVY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ISN'T WILLING TO HELP. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE??
PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT OPERATES REAR BLINKERS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAVE CHANGED BULB WHICH ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CHANGED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. WORKS FINE FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN EITHER OF THESE ARE CHANGED BUT STILL NOT FIXED. STARTED WITH PASSENGER SIDE BUT NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH DRIVER'S SIDE. ONLINE FORUMS SUGGEST MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AS WELL. CANT FIND A PERMANENT FIX. PLEASE HELP. IS NOT BLOWING THE BULBS, JUST STOPS WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER OCT.2007, HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION A TOTAL OF 7 WEEKS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND CANNOT BE FIXED. EACH TIME I GET IT BACK IT WORKS FOR SOME TIME THEN FAILS AND IS TAKEN BACK. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE HENNA CHEVY OLDS DEALERSHIP IN AIKEN, SC. *TR
THERE WERE ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHICH WERE CONTINUOUS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ETS. *BF THE TRAC OFF WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT HAD ALSO COME ON. *SC
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VECHILE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ABNORMALLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD AND BOTH THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MADE WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY THE LOWER ANCHORS IN THE FOLDS OF THE SEAT, SO I CAN INSTALL A CAR SEAT. THE CAR ALSO DOES NOT COME WITH THE CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE 3 POINT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY 2 CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE CAR SEATS AS THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY INSTALL THE CAR SEAT. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND THIS PART (LOWER ANCHOR OR SEATBELTS WITH CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM). I CALLED GM AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS AND I HAVE CALLED AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES WHO ARE UNABLE TO FIND PARTS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was in a horrible car wreck yesterday and none of my airbag is avoid but yet my no check engine light none of my lights were on so I don't understand the problem you could have nearly killed me is what I got spent around three times and put back at the gas station that I left
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MADE WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY THE LOWER ANCHORS IN THE FOLDS OF THE SEAT, SO I CAN INSTALL A CAR SEAT. THE CAR ALSO DOES NOT COME WITH THE CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE 3 POINT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY 2 CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE CAR SEATS AS THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY INSTALL THE CAR SEAT. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND THIS PART (LOWER ANCHOR OR SEATBELTS WITH CHILD LOCKING MECHANISM). I CALLED GM AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS AND I HAVE CALLED AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES WHO ARE UNABLE TO FIND PARTS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE. LOW MILEAGE, CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, SO IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE ALL DAY AND NIGHT. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME HE HAS SEEN THIS A LOT WITH CHEVYS. HE SAYS IT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH GM CARS DRIVEN IN THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER...SO MUCH FOR BEING IMPORTED FROM DETROIT; ISN'T THAT IN THE NORTH? HE SAYS HE CAN ORDER A USED REPLACEMENT FROM THE SOUTHERN US. I KNOW A CAVALIER IS NOT A TOP-OF-THE-LINE CAR, BUT ISN'T THE FRAME SUPPOSED TO BE THE STROGEST PART? COME ON GM, FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES! I WAS GOING TO LET MY 16 YEAR OLD KID DRIVE THE CAR, NOW I HAVE TO TELL HIM THAT HE CAN'T BECAUSE AN AFFORDABLE CAR MADE BY THE BIGGEST US AUTOMAKER IS CHEAPLY MADE AND UNSAFE!? *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER IN 2005, AND AT THE TIME THERE WAS 25K ORIGINAL MILES SO I WAS TOLD. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND OUT THERE HAS BEEN 5 RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR VARIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, NONE OF WHICH I WAS EVER TOLD ABOUT PRIOR OR DURING MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE SIGNALS HAVE FAILED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED, THE BEARINGS ON THE TIRES CAUSED DRY ROT AND I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THOSE, BOTH WERE ON THE RECALL LIST. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT IN THE IDLE POSITION, AND THEY REPLACED AN AIR FILTER SITTING THAT AS THE PROBLEM AND IT WASN'T. THE PEDAL STICKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND SOMETIMES GETS STUCK, THE ROCKERARMS HAVE STARTED TO GO BAD AND IT HAS CAUSED THE VALVE STEMS TO BEND,THUS CAUSING THE OILPUMP TO SEIZE UP AND NOW MY CARS ENGINE HAS A BLOWN GASKET,THIS IS UNDER THE ENGINE COMPONENT SYSTEM RECALL, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN 2007. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. AND NOW IM PAYING 350 PER MONTH FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT RUNNING. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR
MY 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS IN FOR FRONT BRAKES....MECHANIC PHONED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR (2002) AND MILEAGE (64,500) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I TOLD GM THAT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. STILL THEY TOLD ME NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE OTHER FOLKS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS TO CONTACT NHTSA. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IF NOT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY BRAKES. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
HELLO. I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2003. I HAVE AROUND 75,500 MILES ON THE CAR. SINCE OWNING THE CAR MY 'TRAC OFF" LIGHT HAS COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY CAR JERKS EVERYTIME THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. IN THE PAST MONTHS IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT NOW IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. ON TWO RECENT OCCASIONS, WHEN THE LIGHT HAS COME ON, WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN MY CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND MY STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT LUCKILY IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED CHEVROLET BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM THAT CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK ON THE CAR DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM A STUDENT TRYING TO PAY MY WAY THROUGH GRADUATE SCHOOL SO I CAN'T EXACTLY AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PAYING TO GET IT FIXED BUT I FEEL THAT SINCE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED BY THIS THAT IT IS CHEVROLET'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE DEFECTIVE CARS FIXED SO THAT OUR ROADS ARE SAFER. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED SOON. *TR
TWO YEARS AGO MY 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER(THEN TWO YEARS OLD) HAD THE BARREL THAT THE KEY GOES INTO ON THE STEERING COLUMN BREAK. NOW, TWO YEARS LATER IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *NM
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
PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES 11/06. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, VALVE STEM ON LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED (4/16/09) CAUSING TIRE TO COME APART (TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL). AFTER SPARE TIRE INSTALLED BY AAA, PROCEEDED TO STORE WHERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER STATED VALVE STEM HAD FAILED; I PURCHASED NEW TIRE AT PRO-RATED COST. SERVICE CENTER ALSO REPLACED VALVE STEMS ON THE OTHER TIRES BECAUSE THEY LOOKED BAD. IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM ANOTHER CUSTOMER ABOUT VALVE STEMS FROM CHINA, THE CLERK MENTIONED THOSE VALVE STEMS HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CENTER'S INVENTORY. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
SPARE TIRE--UNIROYAL T115/70D14---CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE WITH ONLY 2.5" ROAD CLEARANCE AT LEFT FRONT
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
THE WIRE THAT CONNECTS TO THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TOO SHORT AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY CAUSE THE AC TO KICK IN. WHEN THE AC KICKS IN THIS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. *PH
WHEN ENTERING CAR, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG MOLD SMELL, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY RESEALED THE SEALS, REPLACED PADDING, AND CLEANED CARPETING. ODOR WAS PRESENT, AND CONSUMER WAS ALERGIC TO MOLD.*AK. *YH
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
DRIVER WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I684, ON THE EXIT RAMP TO 287 WEST, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED TO SHUT OFF, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND BRAKE. DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND WENT NOSE FIRST INTO A DITCH, DAMAGING THE FRAME, RADIATOR, AIRCO AND NOSE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. *TR
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 .