Illustration2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON IR 80 IN THE RIGHT LANE. UNIT 1 CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA WHILE DRIVING. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0259-90) *JB
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 →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
200–25K
3225–50K
1950–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
29 reports3 TIMING CHAINS AND TENSIONERS IN 4 YEARS ON A 2001 CAVALIER 2,2 SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM IN DESIGN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO CHECK THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE STOPPED. WHEN HE BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN, EVERY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO CHECK THE ENGINE AND THE NOISE STOPPED. WHEN HE BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN, EVERY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AGAIN AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE KNOCKING STOPPED AND THE LIGHTS STOPPED FLASHING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,358 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
IN DECEMBER, 2006 I HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN (895.00). 1/10/07 MY IGNITION MODULE AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT (695.45). 5/14/07 MY IGNITION COIL NEEDED REPLACING (252.18). NOVEMBER 8, 2007 I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND VALVE COVER GASKET ($500) I'M AM TIRED OF REPAIRING. IT'…
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IN DECEMBER, 2006 I HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN (895.00). 1/10/07 MY IGNITION MODULE AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT (695.45). 5/14/07 MY IGNITION COIL NEEDED REPLACING (252.18). NOVEMBER 8, 2007 I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND VALVE COVER GASKET ($500) I'M AM TIRED OF REPAIRING. IT'S GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S CAUSING MY IGNITION STUFF TO BURN OUT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND AN INJECTOR, PUSH ROD, AND SPARK PLUG WERE INSTALLED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND AN INJECTOR, PUSH ROD, AND SPARK PLUG WERE INSTALLED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
IN WEEKS PRIOR, A CLUNK WAS HEARD UPON LOW SPEED MANUVERING, LATER A RATTLE @ 2000-3300 RPM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE, SAVE TO GET $3,000 ESTIMATE AND SEVERAL OPINIONS, THAT A CONNECTING ROD IS DEFECTIVE, MAKING THE ENGINE VALULESS, WHICH ALL CONCUR THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE, AND GM MAY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEAR…
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IN WEEKS PRIOR, A CLUNK WAS HEARD UPON LOW SPEED MANUVERING, LATER A RATTLE @ 2000-3300 RPM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE, SAVE TO GET $3,000 ESTIMATE AND SEVERAL OPINIONS, THAT A CONNECTING ROD IS DEFECTIVE, MAKING THE ENGINE VALULESS, WHICH ALL CONCUR THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE, AND GM MAY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS, AND DONE NOTHING.
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER MAKES A CLICK NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING HARD RIGHT. *TS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THE VALVE COVER GASKET, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *JB
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FOG LAMP WENT OUT. THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND WOULD STICK WHEN APPLIED. WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STA…
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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FOG LAMP WENT OUT. THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND WOULD STICK WHEN APPLIED. WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM AND ALARM STOPPED WORKING. THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE HVAC BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK IN THE FIRST AND SECOND SPEED. THE DEALER FOUN AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE AND DETERMINED THAT HTE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS FALLING OUT
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLEW AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB T…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLEW AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THERE WAS LEAKING COMPRESSION AT THE HEAD GASKET. *SC
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
Official recalls
104V036000 · 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
2EA02028 · 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