WHEN DRIVING ON ANY SORT OF BUMPY ROAD THERE IS A CONSTANT 'SQUEAK, RUSTY SOUND' IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A OLD SQUEAKY BED. ALSO WITH BACKING UP A LOUD LONG SQUEAK COMES FROM THE FRONT END SUPSPENSION. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AND PADS REPLACED TWICE (DUE TO MECHANICS NEGLIGENCE). AT THIS SAME TIME I…
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WHEN DRIVING ON ANY SORT OF BUMPY ROAD THERE IS A CONSTANT 'SQUEAK, RUSTY SOUND' IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A OLD SQUEAKY BED. ALSO WITH BACKING UP A LOUD LONG SQUEAK COMES FROM THE FRONT END SUPSPENSION. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AND PADS REPLACED TWICE (DUE TO MECHANICS NEGLIGENCE). AT THIS SAME TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. IT'S A VERY ANNOYING SOUND ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING, YOU THINK EVERYONE AROUND CAN HEAR IT AND ALSO IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL APART FROM THE FRONT END (?) SUSPENSION!
NHTSA ODI #728488
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2000
SuspensionCrash
REAR MOUNT BECOMES LOOSE COULD BREAK AND CAUSE ACCIDENT.WE CAUGHT OURS IN TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725063
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionUnknown Or Other
IN JUL7 OF 1999, THE ETS OFF LIGHT AND THEENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAID THE COMPUTER SHOWED DUE TO EMISSION REGULATIONS, THE EGR VALVE NEEDED REPLACED. REPLACED THE VALVE, A MONTH LATER THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE T…
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IN JUL7 OF 1999, THE ETS OFF LIGHT AND THEENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAID THE COMPUTER SHOWED DUE TO EMISSION REGULATIONS, THE EGR VALVE NEEDED REPLACED. REPLACED THE VALVE, A MONTH LATER THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE SYSTEM WAS VERY SENSITIVE, BUT THE EGR WAS FINE AND JUST RESET THE LIGHTLS. LAST WEEK THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, THE EGR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR STARTED JERKING FIERCELY AND THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS SYSTEM AND WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A COMPUTER DEFECT, A VALVE DEFECT OR WHAT. BUT IT'S NOT SAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE THAT CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF THE TRACTION SYSTEM DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND CAUSES THE CAR TO JEK WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720897
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts
DRIVERS DOOR MISADJUSTED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE OF VEHICLE. NLM
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 · Sep 22, 1999
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN STEERING SLIPS, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE EVO SENSOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848417
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Suspension
THERE IS SOME GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #840838
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
SWAY BAR BUSHING OUT OF ORDER. YH
NHTSA ODI #609921
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 1999
Suspension
RECALL REPAIRS ON REAR SUSPENSION TAILING ARM NOT PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #543542
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1999
Suspension
RECALL WORK ON THE (REAR SUSPENSION-TRAILING ARM BOLTS) #98V319000, CAN NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
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 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.
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.
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
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
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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