TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE REAR HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT FLASH WHEN THE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE REAR HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT FLASH WHEN THE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10207954
128,000 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS GLOWED AN ORANGE/YELLOW COLOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOCKETS AND BULBS, BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSISTED THIS IMPAIRED HIS VISION AND HE COULD NOT SEE THREE FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10146763
68,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting
HEAD LAMP WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066842
135,000 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Exterior Lighting
REAR TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS FAILED, CAUSING REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS TO MALFUNCTION. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND BAD ELECTRICAL CORROSION INSIDE THE BULB SOCKETS, PREVENTING A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONTACT. I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE LEFT SIDE BY CLEANING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, WHILE THE RIGHT SIDE IS UNREPAIRABLE. M…
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REAR TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS FAILED, CAUSING REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS TO MALFUNCTION. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND BAD ELECTRICAL CORROSION INSIDE THE BULB SOCKETS, PREVENTING A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONTACT. I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE LEFT SIDE BY CLEANING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, WHILE THE RIGHT SIDE IS UNREPAIRABLE. MALFUNCTION OF BOTH REAR BRAKE/TURN SIGNALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #10053046
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2003
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
DEVICE FOR LIGHTS, HIGHBEAMS, CRUISE CONTROL AND BLINKERS WORKS ON AND OFF THEN STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY FOR NO REASON. EVEN IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE YOU CAR AND NIGHT OR USE ALL THOSE FUNCTIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10043822
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
EquipmentExterior LightingVisibility
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #762354
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2002
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HAD TO REPLACED TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.*AK . *JB
NHTSA ODI #8004893
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Exterior Lighting
I JUST HAD TO REPLACE A HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AT 61,000 MILES. THE REAR LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION. HOWEVER THE INSIDE DASH AND FRONT LIGHTS DID WORK PROPERLY. I WAS HAVING THE CAR TOWED AT THE TIME AND HE IS THE ONE TO BRING IT TO MY ATTENTION. I DID CALL GM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THIS PARTICULAR PART HAD BEEN REPL…
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I JUST HAD TO REPLACE A HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AT 61,000 MILES. THE REAR LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION. HOWEVER THE INSIDE DASH AND FRONT LIGHTS DID WORK PROPERLY. I WAS HAVING THE CAR TOWED AT THE TIME AND HE IS THE ONE TO BRING IT TO MY ATTENTION. I DID CALL GM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THIS PARTICULAR PART HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 29,000 MILES. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT OF A SAFETY ISSUE TO HAVE FAIL AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES LATER. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU! *AK
NHTSA ODI #757864
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Exterior Lighting
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT (HIGH MOUNT) KEEPS BLOWING BULBS,WHEN PULLING THE BULBS OUT THE TOP OF THE BULB IS MELTED TO THE INSIDE OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #562590
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Exterior Lighting
VEHICLE IS EXPIRIENCING SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V250000; HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT FLASH WHEN HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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