NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Equipment complaints
9 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 16, 2004
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages
IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIM…
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IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. SINCE THE 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IS DONE I HAVE TO RELY ON THE PARTS WARRANTY, WHICH DOES NOT HELP ME IF I HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVERY YEAR. THREE SAME EXACT SENSORS REPLACED LESS THAT TWO YEARS IS SENSELESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072694
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment
APPROXIAMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS STARTED. FIRST THE SEAT BELT COVERS SNAPPED OFF, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING STABILIZERS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH IS RARELY USED FAILED AT ABOUT 55-60,000 MILES, THE BATTERY BUSTED AND LEAKED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD, THE JACK WA…
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APPROXIAMATELY 2 MONTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEMS STARTED. FIRST THE SEAT BELT COVERS SNAPPED OFF, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING STABILIZERS REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH IS RARELY USED FAILED AT ABOUT 55-60,000 MILES, THE BATTERY BUSTED AND LEAKED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD, THE JACK WAS WARPED, THE GAS GUAGE READS INCORRECTLY, THE SUNROOF STOPPED WORKING AFTER 30000 MILES, DASH RATTLES, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT STAY CLOSED, PASS SEAT GETS STUCK WHEN YOU MOVE IT FORWARD, THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO APPLY MORE FORCE THAN USUAL TO GET IT MOVING, DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, MORE AIR THAN NORMAL COMES INTO VEHICLE, THERMOSTAT FAILED AT 30000 MILES, INSTALLED SIDEWINDER 6500 CAR ALARM WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER THE BATTERY BUSTED, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS NOT MENTIONED HERE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750746
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
EquipmentSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS IS THE THIRD CAVALIER I HAVE OWNED, AND THE LAST. THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT CAR, GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE BRAKES 3 TIMES (THEY WEAR FUNNY), THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL INTO MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. AND CHEVROLET HAS ONCE AGAIN STOOD BY THEIR WORD, I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO TH…
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THIS IS THE THIRD CAVALIER I HAVE OWNED, AND THE LAST. THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT CAR, GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE BRAKES 3 TIMES (THEY WEAR FUNNY), THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL INTO MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. AND CHEVROLET HAS ONCE AGAIN STOOD BY THEIR WORD, I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO THEY WILL DO NOTHING. WHAT A COMPANY.
NHTSA ODI #749174
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Equipment
DEALER REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH PLATE BECAUSE IT WAS WARPED. WE HARDLY EVER USE THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 27,012 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS FINALLY FIXED W WERE PAST THE 36 MONTHS FOR THE WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS AND THE CAR STILL ONLY HAD 30,437 MILES ON IT. HOW CONVENIENT FOR GM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #748293
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipment
THE RADIO HAS FAILED 3 TIMES. NLM
NHTSA ODI #561631
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment
AIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED …
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AIR BAG STAYS ON, 3 MODULES REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. HORN WOULD NOT WORK WITH STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, REPLACED CANCELLING CAM. OK. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, OK. A/C RUMBLES AT IDLE WHEN HOT, REPLACED BELT AND TENSIONER, PROBLEM STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS LOUD. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, REPLACED ALARM MODULE, OK.
NHTSA ODI #744075
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Equipment
MY AIR CONDITIONER HAD A SMELL OF URINE ABOUT 6 T0 8 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHSED IT, I TOOK IT BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPT, THEY SAID THAT THE AC NEED FLUSHING, THEY FIXED IT BY FLUSHING THE AC, BUT THE SMELL HAS RETURNED AGAIN, I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM, I PLAN TO TAKE IT BACK IN ASAP , BUT I KNOW THIS TIME I W…
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MY AIR CONDITIONER HAD A SMELL OF URINE ABOUT 6 T0 8 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHSED IT, I TOOK IT BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPT, THEY SAID THAT THE AC NEED FLUSHING, THEY FIXED IT BY FLUSHING THE AC, BUT THE SMELL HAS RETURNED AGAIN, I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM, I PLAN TO TAKE IT BACK IN ASAP , BUT I KNOW THIS TIME I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED THIS TIME, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE FAIR, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #727238
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Equipment
JACK,WHICH CAME EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE, BROKE IN HALF WHILE IN USE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861007
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Equipment
CD PLAYERS SCRATCH CD'S WHEN FIRST PUTTING IN, WHICH GM ADMITTED TO IN A LETTER. THE THIRD CD PLAYER NOT ONLY SCRATCHES BUT SKIPS ERRATICALLY AND TUNER WILL NOT ALWAY RECEIVE CHANNELS JUST STATIC.
NHTSA ODI #717936
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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