NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN EVER THE CAR IS STARTED THERE IS A BAD KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND AS IF YOUR CAR WAS LOW ON OIL...AND EVEN WHEN THE OIL IS CHANGED AND/OR CHECKED AND THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE...THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS...I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER MORE THAN 20 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM(WHILE UNDER WARRANTY) AND THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING …
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WHEN EVER THE CAR IS STARTED THERE IS A BAD KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND AS IF YOUR CAR WAS LOW ON OIL...AND EVEN WHEN THE OIL IS CHANGED AND/OR CHECKED AND THE OIL LEVEL IS FINE...THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS...I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER MORE THAN 20 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM(WHILE UNDER WARRANTY) AND THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM..THEIR (CHEVY'S)ENGINEER WAS EVEN IN TOWN AT ONE TIME AND THEY HAD TO BRING IT IN THEN AND HE/SHE COULD NOT EVEN FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM....IF HE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS..THEN I THINK THEY NEED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND PULL THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DOWN THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WANT THE OWNER TO COVER THE CHARGES WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN THE OWNERS FAULT...CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET A RECALL DONE ON ALL THE CAVALIERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746841
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICED THAT MY 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER HAD BEEN LEAKING COOLANT, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO FIND THE LEAK I WAS UNSUCESSFUL. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE HAVE PROVEN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE AROUND THE FRONT HEAD GASKET. IT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A CRACKED HEAD. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A LOGICAL EXPLANATION DU…
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I NOTICED THAT MY 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER HAD BEEN LEAKING COOLANT, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO FIND THE LEAK I WAS UNSUCESSFUL. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE HAVE PROVEN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE AROUND THE FRONT HEAD GASKET. IT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A CRACKED HEAD. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A LOGICAL EXPLANATION DUE TO THE VIOLENT VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE, WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND OVERHEATING.THE COOLANT MUST BE LEAKING INTO THE FUEL MIXTURE AT THE HEAD. THE CAR IS AT AN UNDRIVEABLE STATE. DEALERSHIPS WHICH I HAVE CONTACTED TOLD ME ABOUT RECALLS OF A SIMILAR NATURE FOR THE 1995 AND 1996 CAVALIER MODELS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THE 1997 MODEL? THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746453
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
PISTONS REPLACED AFTER MUCH DEBATING, NOISE IS OCCORRING AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746375
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSTION, COOLANT LEAKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744848
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. TAKES A FEW TIMES BEFORE VEHICLE WILL STAY RUNNING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND ETS LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886472
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesFire
CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, HORN WAS BLOWING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUTSIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEREFORE, THEY WOULDN'T BE LIABLE. ALLSTATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER…
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CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, HORN WAS BLOWING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUTSIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEREFORE, THEY WOULDN'T BE LIABLE. ALLSTATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOOK ONE LOOK,AND COULD TELL IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CHEVROLET DEALER WAS NOT RESPONDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. VEHICLE WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAD REPLACED THE OIL PUMP, SOLENOID, AND EXHAUST HOWEVER LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SKIPS AND CHATTERS ACROSS WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BLADE. TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE LEVER, COMPARTMENT LID RELEASE BROKE. CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #886186
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMETIMES COULD TRY TO START ENGINE BUT IT WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM. ALSO, FUEL WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE COULD GET ON FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883716
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
DEFECT 1: ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ABS WOULD NO LONGER ACTIVATE WHILE LIGHT WAS ON. DEFECT 2: ALTERNATOR--WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, RUSH HOUR. HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED DEALER TO CHECK, BUT THEY CLAIMED IT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DEFECT 3: RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY--WENT OUT…
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DEFECT 1: ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ABS WOULD NO LONGER ACTIVATE WHILE LIGHT WAS ON. DEFECT 2: ALTERNATOR--WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, RUSH HOUR. HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED DEALER TO CHECK, BUT THEY CLAIMED IT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DEFECT 3: RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY--WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER ALTERNATOR, WHILE DRIVING IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. DEFECT 4: TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER--TECHNICIAN SAID THIS CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE--GEARS, HEAD, ETC. DEFECT 5: HORN--HAS WORKED SPORADICALLY, AT BEST, FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. SEEMED LIKE A SHORT.
NHTSA ODI #740034
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IDLING AND WITHOUT WARNING , DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE POSITIONING CENTER, AND REPROGRAMMED PCM, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURRING, AND CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876369
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE A STRONG ODOR ENTERS PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, FOLLOWING EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #871454
Official recalls
7Nov 4, 2002
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.
Mar 6, 2002
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.
Dec 15, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
Jun 29, 1998
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.
Feb 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
Jun 28, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
Aug 29, 1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE 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
4DP03007 · 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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