NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
55 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HEARD BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 1998 CAVALIER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY HEAD GASKETS, ALTHOUGH I ALSO HEARD THAT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BEFORE RELEASING THE CARS TO THE MARKET. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE I NOW HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS APPARENT ABOUT 2 YEARS …
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I HEARD BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 1998 CAVALIER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LEAKY HEAD GASKETS, ALTHOUGH I ALSO HEARD THAT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BEFORE RELEASING THE CARS TO THE MARKET. HOWEVER, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE I NOW HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS APPARENT ABOUT 2 YEARS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND I AM NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT WILL DEFINETLY NOT LAST LONGER THAN MY PRIOR CAR, A TOYOTA. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVROLET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760240
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WATER PUMP FAILED ON VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3.5 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS CAR COULDN'T LAST 5 YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS SO SOON, I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. NOW I'M WONDERING…
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WATER PUMP FAILED ON VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3.5 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS CAR COULDN'T LAST 5 YEARS WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS SO SOON, I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECTED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY VEHICLE. NOW I'M WONDERING WHAT NEXT, IS MY ENGINE GOING TO FAIL. HOW COULD THE WATER PUMP GO OUT SO SOON ON THIS VEHICLE. AND HOW MANY OTHER BUYERS HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. HAVE THERE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLES, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, UNFORTURNATELY WE THE CONSUMERS, ARE NOW FINDING THIS OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754357
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED IT WOULD STALL OUT. RPMS WOULD REV UP FROM ZERO, AND VEHICLE STALLED. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER FIRST TIME, AND MECHANIC CHANGED SPARK PLUGS. PROBLEM REOCCURRED TWICE SINCE THEN, 2 MONTHS LATER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #896616
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE, DUE TO THEM BEING WARPED, AT TIMES CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, DEALER STATES THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #785476
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT SEALS GASKETS BLEWOUT A VALVE IN ENGINE CYLINDER.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895035
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CAR IS A COMPLETE LEMON MADE WITH POOR QUALITY. IT IS UNREALIBLE AND A CONSTANT HEADACHE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744638
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET CAVALER, THE DEALERSHIP EVEN RIPPED ME OFF, THEY CHARGED ME 400 DOLLARS TO FIX A WATER HOSE PUMP AND TENSION BELT, THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND NOW 5 MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE IS ACTING UP AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY CHEVROLET WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE MAINTENANCE TO THIS …
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I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET CAVALER, THE DEALERSHIP EVEN RIPPED ME OFF, THEY CHARGED ME 400 DOLLARS TO FIX A WATER HOSE PUMP AND TENSION BELT, THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND NOW 5 MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE IS ACTING UP AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY CHEVROLET WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE MAINTENANCE TO THIS CAR...BUT IN THE FUTURE, I AM BUYING FROM A FOREIGN COMPANY DUE TO ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE. AND ON TOP OF ALL OF THE OTHER GARBAGE, THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A LOW MAINTENANCE CAR, AND THAT IS NOT EVEN TRUE! I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ELSE, THAT THIS CAR IS THE WORSE CAR THAT WAS MADE IN 1998. IT TOOK ME THREE DIFFERENT TIMES OF BRINGING MY CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIX THE RECALL THE FIRST TIME. I CLAIM DISCRIMINATION WHEN IT COMES TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS
NHTSA ODI #743976
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN BADLY, WAS BEGINNING TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE FOOT ON BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL TO ENSURE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STALL OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHAVER CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER STATED DEALER COULD NOT FIX DEFECT, AND WAS DRIVING AN UN…
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ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN BADLY, WAS BEGINNING TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE FOOT ON BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL TO ENSURE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STALL OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHAVER CHEVROLET DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER STATED DEALER COULD NOT FIX DEFECT, AND WAS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881845
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE ALSO OWN A 93 CAVALIER THAT IS ALWAYS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736872
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE DOING EVERYTHING A NEW CAR SHOULD DO. THIS VEHICLE HAS JEOPORDIZED MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HAVING THE HORN NOT WORK WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLS OUT ON ME IS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. EVERYTIME THE OIL IS CHANGED ON THE CAR THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION IS…
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MY VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE DOING EVERYTHING A NEW CAR SHOULD DO. THIS VEHICLE HAS JEOPORDIZED MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HAVING THE HORN NOT WORK WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLS OUT ON ME IS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. EVERYTIME THE OIL IS CHANGED ON THE CAR THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY REPLACING THE SHAFT SEAL IS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN IT LEAKS AGAIN 3000 MILES IN BETWEEN DEALERSHIP VISITS. HAVING A CONSTANT GASOLINE AND SULFER ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WORRIES ME ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING I HAVE TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.WHEN BROUGHT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER ANYMORE UNLESS A ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS VEHICLE WILL SHORTLY RUN OUT OF WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE GENERAL MOTORS HAS BLOWN OFF MY LETTERS, PHONECALLS AND E-MAILS KNOWING THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER, SINCERELY CLIFTON COLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731575
Official recalls
4Jan 27, 2004
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Nov 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.
Feb 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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