← New search

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

29 reports
Clear category filter
40,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DO…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074301

23 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentUnknown Or Other

05-17/01 REPLACE LEFT FRONT STRUT & BEARING SUBLET: INSTALL NEW CLIPS 12-26-01 REPLACE SURGE TANK CAP 01-28-02 REPLACE WIRE ENDS AT EVAP CANISTER VENT SWITCH 12-06-02 REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB REPLACED EVAP CORE AND EVAC 04-03-03 REPLACED 2 SENSORS 06-05-03 AIR QUIT - GOT ESTIMATE TO REPLACE SUCTION LINE & SHAFT SEAL…

Read full complaint

05-17/01 REPLACE LEFT FRONT STRUT & BEARING SUBLET: INSTALL NEW CLIPS 12-26-01 REPLACE SURGE TANK CAP 01-28-02 REPLACE WIRE ENDS AT EVAP CANISTER VENT SWITCH 12-06-02 REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB REPLACED EVAP CORE AND EVAC 04-03-03 REPLACED 2 SENSORS 06-05-03 AIR QUIT - GOT ESTIMATE TO REPLACE SUCTION LINE & SHAFT SEAL FOR AIR CONDITIONER 06-09-03 CRUISE CONTROL QUIT COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHILE DRIVING - HAVEN'T GOTTEN ESTIMATE ON YET

NHTSA ODI #10070373

57,800 miles · Nov 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISING TO 200. OCCASIONALLY, THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT. CHECKED WATER IN OVERFLOW, LEVEL WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOW. ADDED SOME ANTI-FREEZE & THEN NOTICED WATER ON THE GROUND AFTER DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REP…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISING TO 200. OCCASIONALLY, THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT. CHECKED WATER IN OVERFLOW, LEVEL WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOW. ADDED SOME ANTI-FREEZE & THEN NOTICED WATER ON THE GROUND AFTER DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2003. THEN THE PROBLEM WAS IT OVERHEATED & RAN OUT OF WATER. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THERE EVEN BEING A PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047637

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherInjury

MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT(2001 Z24 CAVALIER) HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. PISTON RODS FAILING, FUEL PUMP LEAKING, CRANKSHAFT FAILURE, GEAR BOX BENT CAUSING ME TO ONLY START CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CAN'T PARK ON HILLS. ALSO... VALVES HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES, ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKEN, POWER STEERIN…

Read full complaint

MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT(2001 Z24 CAVALIER) HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. PISTON RODS FAILING, FUEL PUMP LEAKING, CRANKSHAFT FAILURE, GEAR BOX BENT CAUSING ME TO ONLY START CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CAN'T PARK ON HILLS. ALSO... VALVES HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES, ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKEN, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SUNROOF SHATTERED ON ME... EVERYTHING HAS BROKEN ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME EVEN UNDER WARRANTY... I GOT A LEMON AND THEY WANT ME TO KEEP IT. SO MANY PROBLEMS I CANT LIST THEM ALL... MOST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD SON AND WE JUST GOT THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP AFTER 14 DAYS REPAIR ON A VALVE, AND THE NEXT DAY WE WERE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP ON ME AND BRAKES, AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP US FROM CRASHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AND THE CONNECTED SOME HOSE THEY "FORGOT" TO CONNECT AND TOLD ME TO LEAVE. AFTER WE ALMOST COULD OF DIED, I WILL NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE THAT I AM STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR TOO. I WISH SOMEONE COULD HELP ME! (INCIDENT DATE IS MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE) *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047625

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

AIR/HEAT FAN, STEERING COLUMN ,BRAKES, ENGINE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045122

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL FALLS ONTO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD WHEN CHANGING THE FILTER, THE HEAT SHIELD IS LIKE A METAL MESH COVERING THE EXHAUST PIPE. ALWAYS BEING TOLD TO LET IT BURN OFF. NOT GOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018591

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE IF THE VEHICLE GO OVER 60MPH CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021781

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS W/O WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021536

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND STALL OUT. CONTACTED DEALER WHO CANNOT FIX/DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8016059

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE TWICE. *JG *TS

NHTSA ODI #566672

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