WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED MERGING TRAFFIC, SO I SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I THEN HEARD A POP BUT DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS WORKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I WAS ALSO LISTENING TO THE RADIO. I NOTICED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN THE CAR KEPT ON SLOWING DOWN AT A STEAD…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED MERGING TRAFFIC, SO I SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, I THEN HEARD A POP BUT DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS WORKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I WAS ALSO LISTENING TO THE RADIO. I NOTICED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN THE CAR KEPT ON SLOWING DOWN AT A STEADY PACE,I HEARD THE ENGINE IDLING LOUDLY AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I FOUND IT KIND OF ODD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GIVE OUT ON ME SINCE THE CAR WAS A 1996.
NHTSA ODI #707493
Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE BOUGHT W/BAD WATER PUMP WHICH WAS LEAKING BADLY. BRAKES IN REAR WERE MAKING METAL TO METAL NOISE & WERE SLUSHY. WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ANY GREAT DISTANCE & THEN STOPPPED, IT WOULD OVERHEAT & THEN STALL OUT. HARD TO RESTART. ODOMETER NUMBERS NOT EVEN & OUT OF SYNC. WATER HOSE IS LEAKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838426
Mileage unknown · May 21, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION (MAIN DRIVE) FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #782368
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 1999
Power Train
PART BROKE WITH NO WARNING - RESULTS IN NO POWER AT ALL TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC- MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CAVALIERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #704185
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD STOPPED FOR NO REASON. WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AT 43,000 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID THAT TRANSMISSION HAD WORN OUT & NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835499
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #543939
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1999
Power Train
CLUTCH GETS REPLACED EVERY 26 K MILES, MANU CLAIMS NORMAL WEAR (NO OTHER I EVER HAD NEED A NEW CLUTCH THAT OFTEN).
NHTSA ODI #702254
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1998
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE.ALSO THE HOOD RELEASE/ABS BRAKES AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #539950
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION CABLE RUNS AGAINST THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CATALATIC CONVERTER GOT HOT AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CABLE TO MELT. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822511
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1997
Power TrainCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE REAR AXLE FELL OFF, CAUSING DRIVER TO HAVE A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. *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
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