HORN HASN'T BEEN WORKING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FUSE WAS REPLACED, BUT DIDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALER CLAMED THAT IN DIFFERENT WEATHER &TEMPERATURES IT WILL NOT WORK. VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY & ALTERNATOR THE 1ST TIME. 2ND TIME DEALER INDICATED FUEL PUMP WENT OUT.CON…
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HORN HASN'T BEEN WORKING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FUSE WAS REPLACED, BUT DIDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALER CLAMED THAT IN DIFFERENT WEATHER &TEMPERATURES IT WILL NOT WORK. VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY & ALTERNATOR THE 1ST TIME. 2ND TIME DEALER INDICATED FUEL PUMP WENT OUT.CONSUMER HAD TO COVER THE COST & FELT THAT THEY SHOULD BEEN ABLE TO DETECT THIS WHEN THEY DID THE DIAGNOSTIC READING A MONTH AGO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868924
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR HAD A "HARD START" WHEN COLD. CONCERNED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET STRANDED, ASSUMING THAT 1/4 FULL TANK OF GAS WAS ENOUGH TO START CAR - ESPECIALLY THOSE TRANSPORTING CHILDREN, LIKE I DO. AFTER FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED (BY DEALER), IT STARTED BETTER THAN WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. NOTE: WHY DOE…
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CAR HAD A "HARD START" WHEN COLD. CONCERNED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET STRANDED, ASSUMING THAT 1/4 FULL TANK OF GAS WAS ENOUGH TO START CAR - ESPECIALLY THOSE TRANSPORTING CHILDREN, LIKE I DO. AFTER FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED (BY DEALER), IT STARTED BETTER THAN WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. NOTE: WHY DOES THE FUEL PUMP SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETS. MY FATHER HAS A 1995 CHEVROLET TRUCK, TAHOE THAT ALSO NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE WORTH INVESTIGATING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705998
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT/OIL PRESSURE VALVE BLEW UP AND OIL IS ALL OVER/COMPUTER SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, AND RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEMS NOT YET REMEDIED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835717
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN WET CONDITIONS THE REGULATOR BELT WILL GET WET, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKE LOSS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827231
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK GAUGE DOES NOT GIVE A PROPER READING. WHEN IT IS ON 1/4 FULL, GAUGE INDICATES THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY. MORE THAN SEVEN INCIDENTS HAPPENED. THE DEALER ATTEMPED TO FIX, AND NOW THERE IS NO WARRANTY. ALSO, THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *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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