THE CAR IS FALLING APART, INTERIOR IS FALLING APART, EXAMPLE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS NOT IN TACT, THE PASSENGER CHAIR ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME IS BROKEN, AIR CONDITIONER HAS GONE OUT AND WE NEEDED TO INSTALL A NEW AIRCONDITIONER, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, I GUESS EVERY NINE MONTHS THE CAR NEEDS A NE…
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THE CAR IS FALLING APART, INTERIOR IS FALLING APART, EXAMPLE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS NOT IN TACT, THE PASSENGER CHAIR ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME IS BROKEN, AIR CONDITIONER HAS GONE OUT AND WE NEEDED TO INSTALL A NEW AIRCONDITIONER, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, I GUESS EVERY NINE MONTHS THE CAR NEEDS A NEW BRAKE CHANGE, THE CHRYSLER CREDIT CORP HAS NEVER GIVEN US A RECEIPT ON HOW MUCH MORE TO PAY AND WHEN WE CALL THEM UP, THEY WOULD NOT TELL US HOW MUCH MORE TO GO FOR THE PAYMENTS, THEY ALSO KNOW THAT SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THEN THEY WOULD CHANGE CONSTANTLY WHERE THE PAYMENT SHOULD GO. I JUST WISHED THEY WOULD STOP THAT. IT IS LIKE A HOUSE LOAN, WE HAVE CHANGED MORTAGAGER FOUR TIMES AND THIS IS GETTING VERY STRESSFUL. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #704232
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1999
Child SeatSeat Belts
THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAVALIER. WHEN USED IN CONJUCTION WITH INFANT CAR SEATS. ALL THE INFANT SEAT MANUFACTURERS HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS AGAINST USING ANY OF THEIR SEATS WITH CARS WHERE THE SEAT BELT IS ANCHORED FORWARD AT THE CREASE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH THE 96 CAVELIER. …
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THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAVALIER. WHEN USED IN CONJUCTION WITH INFANT CAR SEATS. ALL THE INFANT SEAT MANUFACTURERS HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS AGAINST USING ANY OF THEIR SEATS WITH CARS WHERE THE SEAT BELT IS ANCHORED FORWARD AT THE CREASE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH THE 96 CAVELIER. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER, WHO THEN TOLD ME TO TALK TO THE SEAT MANUFACTURER, GETTING ME NO WHERE AT ALL. INDEED THE ONLY ADVICE I COULD GET WAS TO TIGHTEN IT AS MUCH AS I COULD AND IT WOULD PROBABLY BE ALRIGHT. THERE ARE NO PROBABILITY NOR SHOULD THERE BE WHEN WE DEAL WITH THE LIFE OF A CHILD. I FIND IT ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY TRANSPORT MY CHILD DUE TO THE ANCHORING OF THE BELT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO AND BUY A NEW CAR. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT IN THE CAVALIER INFANT CANNOT BE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT DUE TO THE HUMP. BUT ON TOP OF THIS, TO PLACE THE SEAT BELTS SO THAT NO SEAT WILL WORK AS THEY WERE MEANT TO. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703420
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1998
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COMPLETELY FELL APART. THE BUCKLE FELL APART IN DRIVER'S HAND. THE BUCKLE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829890
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE TRAVELING ON WET SURFACE, WENT INTO A SPIN AND HIT CEMENT RETAINING WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK , DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #825454
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1998
Electrical SystemSeat Belts
SEAT BELT DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE, IT TWISTS FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #532761
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1997
Seat Belts
THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER'S SHOULDER SEATBELT BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE SEATBELT TO BE INOPERATIVE, WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #819339
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1997
Seat BeltsInjury
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S HEAD STRUCK THE HARD PLASTIC COVER THAT COVERS THE METAL RING THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAP COMES THROUGH, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #525236
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1997
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH & ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT PASSENGER'S SIDE; AIR BAG DEPLOYED & HIT SHOULDER/CHIN AND CONSOLE; BOUNCED TO MERIDIAN; SEAT BELT AROUND NECK; SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER IN NORMAL POSITION; FACE CONTINUED TOWARDS CONSOLE. AT DEALER PRIOR & TOLD WAS PROBLEM & ORDERING PARTS. *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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