Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 83 of 345 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
345 reports
30,976 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Steering
COMPLAINT OF RECALL SERVICE CO2049-S NAR 07/10/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED CAUSING INTERNAL NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THIS CASE BE I…
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COMPLAINT OF RECALL SERVICE CO2049-S NAR 07/10/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED CAUSING INTERNAL NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THIS CASE BE INVESTIGATED AND REMEDIAL ACTION TAKE PLACE. *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10027028
18,868 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THIS E-MAIL IS IN REGARDS TO MY 1998 CAVALIER RS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 29, 1998. JUST 14 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE CLUTCH GOES OUT. THEN IT GOES OUT FOUR TIMES THEREAFTER. A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES MY CLUTCH HAS WENT OUT. THE REASON I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW AUTOMOB…
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THIS E-MAIL IS IN REGARDS TO MY 1998 CAVALIER RS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 29, 1998. JUST 14 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE CLUTCH GOES OUT. THEN IT GOES OUT FOUR TIMES THEREAFTER. A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES MY CLUTCH HAS WENT OUT. THE REASON I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW AUTOMOBILE WAS FOR THE DEPENDENCY OF THE CHEVROLET PRODUCT. I WAS MISTAKEN IN MY THINKING OBVIOUSLY. THAT DATES OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ARE AS FOLLOWS: 08/29/99, 04/05/01, 08/09/01, 10/17/01, 06/26/03. I UNDERSTAND THINGS GO WRONG WITH VEHICLES, BUT FIVE TIMES ON THE SAME PROBLEM. (NO THE CLUTCH IS NOT BEING RIDDEN.) THANKFULLY I HAVE REIMBURSMENT TOWING ON MY INSURANCE, CONSIDERING I WAS MILES AWAY FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JULY 20, 1999 (13 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR). MY RECEIPT STATES ALL THE CYLYNDERS WERE MISFIRING. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2001 MY CATATYLIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. (DON'T EVER GO ON A TRIP IN THIS CAR!) ALL THE WORK STATED ABOVE WAS DONE BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS. THE CAR IS PAID FOR NOW AND THEY RECEIVED ALL OF THEIR MONEY OUT OF ME. I JUST HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. (THE CAR WAS IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S NAME, MARY H. DECKER 3416 ST ANN ST OWENSBORO, KY 42303. IT IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE NAME ON THE TITLE.)
NHTSA ODI #10025158
27,500 miles · Jun 18, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHE HAD NOT POWER. SHE TRIED TURNING ON A SIDE STREET SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF WAY OF A TRUCK THAT WAS APPROACHING HER BUT COULDN'T AND HER CAR WENT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR WAS TOTALED.…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHE HAD NOT POWER. SHE TRIED TURNING ON A SIDE STREET SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF WAY OF A TRUCK THAT WAS APPROACHING HER BUT COULDN'T AND HER CAR WENT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ENGINE STALLED ONCE WHILE IT WAS IDLING SO SHE HAD TO GET IT JUMPED. MY HUSBAND AND I THOUGHT SHE MIGHT HAS LEFT SOMETHING ON OR WASN'T QUITE SURE ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WHEN IT DIED WHILE BEING PARKED. I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND IT SEEMED FINE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN SHE TOLD US THAT SOMETIMES WHEN SHE WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD DIE. SHE WOULD HAS TO PUT IT IN PARK AND THE RE-START THE ENGINE AND THE CAR WAS FINE. WE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH. WE DON'T KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS OR IF THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023313
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2003
Steering
THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO POWER STEERING. *MR THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET IN REGARD TO REIMBURSEMENT RECALL#1159156, STATING THAT HER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE DEALER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO VERIFY CAUSE OF HE MALFUNCTION OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING OF T…
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THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO POWER STEERING. *MR THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHEVROLET IN REGARD TO REIMBURSEMENT RECALL#1159156, STATING THAT HER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE DEALER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO VERIFY CAUSE OF HE MALFUNCTION OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING OF THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING. THE RACK WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA ODI #10021678
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2003
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED UP AGAIN. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020329
37,000 miles · May 7, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT APPROX 55-60 MPH MY ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT GO BELOW 40 MPH. I CALLED 9-1-1 FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS WENT ON FOR APPROX 8 MILES, I EVENTUALLY SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT APPROX 55-60 MPH MY ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT GO BELOW 40 MPH. I CALLED 9-1-1 FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS WENT ON FOR APPROX 8 MILES, I EVENTUALLY SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKES THAT WERE RUINED AS A RESULT OF THE CARS DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND FIXED BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RELEASED OR SOMEONE MAY BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018357
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2003
Air Bags
THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019309
88,030 miles · Apr 30, 2003
Steering
I WAS EXPERIENCING TROUBLE IN MY CAR WHEN ITURNED LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS. IF FELT ALMOST AS THOUGH I WAS LOSING POWER IN THE STEERING PART OF MY CAR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, A FRIEND OF MINE EMAILED ME A NOTICE THAM CHEVY WAS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON MY CAR TYPE AND DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. THE ARTICLE FROM REUTERS…
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I WAS EXPERIENCING TROUBLE IN MY CAR WHEN ITURNED LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS. IF FELT ALMOST AS THOUGH I WAS LOSING POWER IN THE STEERING PART OF MY CAR. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, A FRIEND OF MINE EMAILED ME A NOTICE THAM CHEVY WAS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON MY CAR TYPE AND DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. THE ARTICLE FROM REUTERS SAID THAT IT CAUSE ACCIDENTS BUT NO FATALITIES. I IMMEDIATELY GOT MY CAR FIXED AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL OUT YET. I WAITED AND ONCE THE RECALL WAS OUT, MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. MY CAR FITS ALL OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL AND WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10016779
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY 02V286000 ON 02/24/03. HOWEVER ON 03/20/03 CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO THE TURN STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AS IF IT LOCKED UP AND THE WHEELS DID NOT TURN PROPERLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014580
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED ANTI FREEZE, AND THE OIL PAN LEAKED OIL. *JB
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.
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.
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.