IllustrationFUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. ONLY EVER GOES DOWN TO HALF WHEN IT SHOULD REALLY BE READING "EMPTY." NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS REALLY IN THE TANK. *TR
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cavalier years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2125–50K
3050–75K
2375–100K
16100–150K
8150K+
120 reports with mileage · 195 unknown
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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports8 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
315 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN COLD WEATHER, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. IN WARM WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE 30 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN COLD WEATHER, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. IN WARM WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE 30 MINUTES TO RESTART. THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED 4,000 MILES LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
I WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK (100 MILES BOTH WAYS) 65MPH THEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING PULLED OVER 2 MIN. LATER BACK ON THE ROAD 1 MILE LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FORCED IT TO MAKE IT TO TOWN 1AM. LEFT IT AT A GAS STATION. CAME BACK IN THE MORNING TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER (45 MIN DRIVE) IT BROKE DOWN 6 TIMES!!! I'VE HAD IT 9 DAYS…
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I WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK (100 MILES BOTH WAYS) 65MPH THEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING PULLED OVER 2 MIN. LATER BACK ON THE ROAD 1 MILE LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FORCED IT TO MAKE IT TO TOWN 1AM. LEFT IT AT A GAS STATION. CAME BACK IN THE MORNING TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER (45 MIN DRIVE) IT BROKE DOWN 6 TIMES!!! I'VE HAD IT 9 DAYS!!! DEALER SAID IT WASN'T HIS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE MY 7 MONTH OLD BABY WAS W/ME HE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND SENT ME AWAY. 45 MIN LATER I WAS BROKEN DOWN ON A HIGHWAY 1 HOUR IT STILL WOULDN'T START. A MAN PULLED UP CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD HIM TO TOW IT BACK TO THE SHOP. NEXT DAY HE WORKS ON IT END OF DAY SAYS IT MUST BE ELECTRICAL. I GAVE HIM $4800 CASH!!!! I DON'T EVEN WANT THE CAR BACK!!! HE NEEDS TO GIVE ME MY MONEY CAUSE IT IS A LEMON. *TR
I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT DATE OF INCIDENT. IT WAS ABOUT 2 YRS. AGO. THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT STAY ON. THEY WOULD GO OFF AND ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT WAS ONLY THE DIM LIGHTS. WE GOT A SWITCH AND HAD MECHANIC PUT IT IN. PLUS A RELAY. IT DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY GARAGE RECENTLY. THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE WIRIN…
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I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT DATE OF INCIDENT. IT WAS ABOUT 2 YRS. AGO. THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT STAY ON. THEY WOULD GO OFF AND ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT WAS ONLY THE DIM LIGHTS. WE GOT A SWITCH AND HAD MECHANIC PUT IT IN. PLUS A RELAY. IT DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY GARAGE RECENTLY. THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS. THEY SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS AT ALL. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO LIGHTS. PLEASE RESPOND. THANK YOU. *JB
FUEL PUMP ON CHEVROLET CAVALIER Z24 WENT OUT AT 76,000 MILES. IT LOST POWER AND DIED ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, NO CARS WERE AROUND AS IT WAS ALMOST MIDNIGHT. COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $600, NOT INCLUDING THE TOWING. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAD FUEL PUMPS MALFUNC…
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FUEL PUMP ON CHEVROLET CAVALIER Z24 WENT OUT AT 76,000 MILES. IT LOST POWER AND DIED ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, NO CARS WERE AROUND AS IT WAS ALMOST MIDNIGHT. COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $600, NOT INCLUDING THE TOWING. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAD FUEL PUMPS MALFUNCTION ON THEIR CAVALIERS, AND ON SOME CARS NEWER AND MOST WITH LOWER MILES THAN ON THIS CAR. SAME STORY, JUST LOSES POWER AND DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DEFECT WITH THE CAVALIER, YET THEY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE THAT OWNED A CAVALIER THAT DIDN'T HAVE SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH IT. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTER CABLE AND POWER WINDOW MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH THE CHEVROLET. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL #04V036000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON JULY 5, 2004. TWO YEARS LATER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL #04V036000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON JULY 5, 2004. TWO YEARS LATER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,200.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STARTING IN NOVEMBER 2005 WE HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CHANGED DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED MORE FREQUENT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT THI…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER STARTING IN NOVEMBER 2005 WE HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CHANGED DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED MORE FREQUENT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THEY COULD ONLY FIND THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR FAILS TO START. IT WOULD START FOR THEM WHILE IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED GMAC AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I COULD NOT GET ANYONE TO TECHNICALLY FINE THE PROBLEM. IN ESSENCE, THIS CAR HAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND IT IS USELESS TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK WITH THE CAR AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. WE WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS WE CANNOT EVEN SELL THE CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB
3 MONTHS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006, I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY HAD STOPPED FROM 45 MPH, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL TIGHT. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL HAD BUSTED OUT. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SLIDI…
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3 MONTHS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006, I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY HAD STOPPED FROM 45 MPH, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL TIGHT. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL HAD BUSTED OUT. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SLIDING ON THE CONTROL ARM AND THE FENDER, DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER COVER HAD BEEN DAMAGED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE PADS AND LOWER BALL JOINT JUST TO GET THE CAR MOBILE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS DRIVEN THE SAME SINCE THIS HAD HAPPENED, SO I AM SURE THAT A LOT MORE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED IN THE FRONT DRIVETRAIN, BUT CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED FAIRWAY CHEVROLET IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL MUST HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY A POT HOLE OR SOMETHING. BEING THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT HAD BROKE OFF THE CAR, I ASSUMED THAT MAYBE THAT IS CORRECT INFORMATION UNTIL NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006. I WAS DRIVING AND FELT THE SAME VIBRATION FROM 3 MONTHS EARLIER. I CAREFULLY CAME TO A STOP AND INSPECTED THE CAR. NOW, MY PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL WAS ONLY SECONDS FROM BUSTING OFF THE CAR. THIS TIME THE WHEEL IS PERFECT CONDITION, MEANING NO SIGNS OF POT HOLE DAMAGE. AMERICAN TIRE IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA REPLACED THE WHEEL AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A WHEEL BUST APART LIKE THIS, AND AM VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH OR WORSE DEATH. THE SAME DEALER BRUSHED ME AWAY AGAIN, AND NOW I HAVE A DAMAGED CAR BOTH BODY AND DRIVEABILITY. PLEASE HELP. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND DETERMINED THE A FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE VEHIC…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND DETERMINED THE A FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE A FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
DRIVESHAFT/POWERTRAIN FAILURE ON RIGHT SIDE DURING LOW SPEED (<15 MPH) RIGHT HAND TURN CAUSED LOSE OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND COLLISION WITH LIGHT POLE. DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS CAUSED MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
Official recalls
204V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 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.
00V201000 · Interior Lighting
Jul 20, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BI-FUEL OPTION FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE AT FULL ILLUMINATION LEVELS AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE STANDARD REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TYPE INDICATOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CONTROL.
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
3EA02028 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Dec 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE02066 · Engine Stall Due To Fuel Starvation
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Nov 3, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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