NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
58 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, AirService Brakes, Hydraulic
HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH CAR - AT 20,000 - THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND MACHINED ROTORS, AFTER I REQUESTED THEY BE CHECKED DUE TO SQUEAKING. SERVICE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 30,000 - THE BATTERY FAILED ON CAR WHILE PARKED. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED BATTERY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULT…
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HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH CAR - AT 20,000 - THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND MACHINED ROTORS, AFTER I REQUESTED THEY BE CHECKED DUE TO SQUEAKING. SERVICE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 30,000 - THE BATTERY FAILED ON CAR WHILE PARKED. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED BATTERY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY BATTERY CELL. SERVICE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 40,000 MILES, HORN HAS FAILED. CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING WITH DEALER TO REPLACE WITHOUT COST. HAVE ALWAYS HAD ABS PROBLEMS - CAR WILL BUCK AND JERK UNDER CERTAIN WET PAVEMENT CONDITIONS WHEN ABS SHOULD NOT ACTIVATE. CONCERNED ABOUT THIS - BUT CANNOT AFFORD COST OF REPLACING ABS. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT BRAKES AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT ABS PROBLEMS. HAVE BANGING/CLANGING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR WHEN CAR IS COLD. UNSURE WHAT CAUSES THIS. AFTER READING THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND DEFECTS ON THIS WEBSITE, BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAS THESE SAME DEFECTS. FRIGHTENED THAT MY CAR IS NOW INCREDIBLY UNRELIABLE AND MAY CATCH FIRE LIKE OTHER CARS LISTED. SUGGESTIONS?
NHTSA ODI #713850
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
I WAS IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME AT A SAFE DISTANCE (THE OTHER DRIVE WILL CERTIFY THIS). THAT VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AS WELL. MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INADEQUATELY AND I REAR-ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. I ESTIMATE MY SPEED BEFORE I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO…
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I WAS IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME AT A SAFE DISTANCE (THE OTHER DRIVE WILL CERTIFY THIS). THAT VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AS WELL. MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INADEQUATELY AND I REAR-ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. I ESTIMATE MY SPEED BEFORE I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO BE BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH, AND THAT I HAD BETWEEN 30 AND 40 FEET BETWEEN ME AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I WOULD HAVE NORMALLY EXPECT NOT TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS STOPPING UNDER THESE CURCUMSTANCES. AS I TRY TO REMEMBER THE INCIDENT, I REMEMBER THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING VERY HARD -- I WAS CONSCIOUSLY PUSHING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. I HAVE PRACTICED EMERGENCY STOPPING AND EVASIVE LANE CHANGE MANEUVERS ON EVERY CAR I HAVE OWNED. THIS CAR DOES HAVE ABS, BUT I'M CONVINCED THAT THE ABS FAILED TO WORK CORRECTLY, AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #712995
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED BACK WHEELS LOCK UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849773
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL IS SOFT AND HARD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR WITHIN THE BRAKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847355
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SQUEAKED. BRAKE ROTORS AND MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, FUEL PUMP IS GOING OUT . *AK
NHTSA ODI #844831
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN A EMERGENCY / SUDDENLY, THE PEDAL IS RIGID AND DOES NOT DEPRESS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT STOP ON WET PAVEMENT / RAIN / SNOWY WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *YC
NHTSA ODI #840867
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS STARTS RAPID ACTION AT SLIGHTEST BUMP ON ROAD (EVEN SLIGHTLY RAISED PAINTED INTERSECTION ROAD LINES) CAUSING GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND ALMOST RESULTING IN REAR END COLLISIONS
NHTSA ODI #709041
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED EVERY 20,000 MILES, RESULTING IN DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838193
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
MY 1997 CAVALIER HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT MAKES ME STUCK AND, THAT IS WHY I AM CONTACTING YOU ! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707513
Mileage unknown · May 20, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING VIBRATION- DEALER REPAIRD, ROTORS WARPED AGAIN, DEALER WANTS $98 TO TURN DOWN ROTORS AGAIN- CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #706690
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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