NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
345 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 22, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS ONLY DUE TO LUCK. I CONTACTED GM REGARDING THIS, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DIDN'T BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR "MAINTENANCE" (I DO ALL MY OWN OIL AND EASY FILTER CHANGES), I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANYTHING TO HELP DEFRAY THE $700 COST OF T…
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LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS ONLY DUE TO LUCK. I CONTACTED GM REGARDING THIS, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DIDN'T BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR "MAINTENANCE" (I DO ALL MY OWN OIL AND EASY FILTER CHANGES), I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANYTHING TO HELP DEFRAY THE $700 COST OF THE ABS MODULATOR THAT FAILED, PREMATURELY, AT ONLY 64,000 MILES. IT IS LUDICROUS THAT THEY CAN TIE OIL CHANGES TO FAILURE OF A KEY BRAKE COMPONENT, AND REWARD REPEAT GM CUSTOMERS IN THIS MANNER. WHILE I AM AWAITING THE REGIONAL PERSON'S FINAL SAY ON THIS, IT DOESN'T SEEM PROMISING, JUDGING BY THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THEY'RE "CUSTOMER CARE" HOTLINE. (NOW THERE'S AN OXYMORON IF I'VE EVER SEEN ONE!!). *AK
NHTSA ODI #753525
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
ABS FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH OR VERY LOW SPEEDS. ROTORS REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE LAST TIME I HAD THE ROTORS FIXED THEY PUT A HOLE IN MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER AND WANT OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. STARTER RE…
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ABS FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH OR VERY LOW SPEEDS. ROTORS REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE LAST TIME I HAD THE ROTORS FIXED THEY PUT A HOLE IN MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER AND WANT OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. STARTER REFUSES TO TURN OVER OCASIONALLY, DEALER COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A RECALL VERY SOON ON THE BRAKES SOON, I'M LUCKY I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKES. THEY HAD TO ISSUE A RECALL ON A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM THEY HAD ON THEIR TRUCKS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753354
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN I DEPRESS MY BRAKES AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT AWHILE, THEY LOCK UP SLAMMING THE CAR TO A STOP. WHEN IT GETS ICY OUT MY TIRES WILL LOCK UP AND I WILL GO INTO A SKID.*AK
NHTSA ODI #752472
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 · 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 · Aug 7, 2001
Visibility
PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET,APPARENTLY WINDOW WAS BOUND UP. SPACERS MISSING ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. FORTUNATELY MY MOTHER WAS NOT INJURED, BUT COVERED IN GLASS. HAVE TAKEN IN TWICE NOW FOR THE DRIVER WINDOW WHICH KEEPS BECOMING LOOSE OR LOSING SPACERS THAT KEEP IT IN PLACE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749988
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 17, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
3 MINORS INJURED. CAR TOTALED. BRAKES APPLIED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND HIT EMBANKMENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #748630
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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