TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SIXTEEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES DISCOVERED. THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SIXTEEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY REMOVED THE INTERIOR LIGHT FUSE TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V027000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 233,163.
NHTSA ODI #10501440
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2010
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
YES CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT WON'T START IT DOES THIS AT TIME OR U CAN PRESS THE GAS TO TRY AND START INTERIOR LIGHT DON'T WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361181
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2008
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND/OR STAY ON AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WHEN IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF COMPLAINING AND I REMOVED THE FUSE - SO THAT THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN OFF (OF …
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INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND/OR STAY ON AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WHEN IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF COMPLAINING AND I REMOVED THE FUSE - SO THAT THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN OFF (OF COURSE THIS IS ALSO A FUSE TO SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS WITHIN THE CAR). BUT, IT WAS THEY ONLY WAY I COULD RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219209
75,000 miles · Nov 5, 2007
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
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
249,000 miles · Jan 5, 2006
Interior LightingSuspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 98V027000 REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND 98V319000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND AN INTERMITT…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 98V027000 REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND 98V319000 REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND AN INTERMITTENT CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10146993
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Interior Lighting
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT REASON WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONUSMER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL 98V027000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885309
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
Interior Lighting
WAS DRIVING AND STARTED TO SMELL BURNING PLASTIC. PARKED VEHICLE AND CHECKED IT OUT. NOTICED, AFTER REMOVING DOME LIGHT, A HOLE IN ROOF DUE TO LIGHT BULB. CEILING WAS BURNED. CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS REFERRED TO DEALERSHIP FOR ESTIMATE OF COST. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879753
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2001
Interior Lighting
DOME LIGHT BURNED A HOLE ON ROOF BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE A TOP OR PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #878116
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/STRUTS/STARTER/TRANSMISSION/ DOME LIGHT/ PAINT/,MUFFLER/SEATS AND ABS BRAKES HAVE ALL GONE BADLY AT LEAST ONCE, AND SOME HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE BAD AGAIN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT REFUSED TO CHECK OR REPLACE. NO LONGER DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM DUE TO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING T…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET/STRUTS/STARTER/TRANSMISSION/ DOME LIGHT/ PAINT/,MUFFLER/SEATS AND ABS BRAKES HAVE ALL GONE BADLY AT LEAST ONCE, AND SOME HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE BAD AGAIN. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT REFUSED TO CHECK OR REPLACE. NO LONGER DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM DUE TO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718613
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ALSO, DASH LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP. *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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