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2001 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

104 reports with mileage · 139 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 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports8 fire reports14 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

56 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2004
Electrical System

PROBLEMS WITH ODOMETER ON 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL WORK. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE DEALER HAD REPLACED ALL THE GAUGES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIR OTHER THAN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE COM…

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PROBLEMS WITH ODOMETER ON 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL WORK. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE DEALER HAD REPLACED ALL THE GAUGES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIR OTHER THAN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY COULD START A FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $500. FOR WORK HE DID NOT AUTHORIZE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10089734

46,000 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Electrical System

AFTER RECALL#04V036000 WAS PERFORMED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10080284

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2004
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIRING THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10081861

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE REPAIR OF HIS 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER VEHICLE. *LA RECALL# 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH) AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT FIVE HOURS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10081864

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 04002 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE WERE IDENTICAL TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10079780

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2004
Electrical System

AFTER MAKING 2 APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 04V03600 PERFORMED THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED UPON ARRIVAL THAT THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10075663

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2004
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE RELAY KIT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 04V036000. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10074329

40,000 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Electrical System

VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. RECALL 04V036000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064974

11,910 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKES WERE SENSITIVE. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND WENT OFF AT LEAST TWENTY TWO TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10053650

37,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical System

THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED TO WARN ANOTHER MOTORIST AND AS A RESULT THE MOTORIST RAN THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD. THE LOCATION OF THE HORN ASSEMBLY IS ACCESSIBLE TO WATER, SNOW OR ANY DEBRIS WHICH RESULTED IN CORROSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *NLM *MR

NHTSA ODI #10051966

Official recalls

1

04V036000 · 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.

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

2

EA02028 · 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.

SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge

Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available