IllustrationI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREE WAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT TRIES BUT WON'T START. ALL POWER IS WORKING AND STARTER AND ALTERNATOR ARE TRYING TO WORK. *TR
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
22 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND AFTER WAITING 15-20 MINUTES, HE AS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND AFTER WAITING 15-20 MINUTES, HE AS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING JUST LAST MONTH I HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE MY GAUGE SHOWED FULL ALSO GOT FUEL SEND THROUGH ROAD SIDE SERVICE ON 2 OCASSIONS I TRIED TO KEEP TRACK OF BY WRITING DOWN MY MILEAGE BUT THEN THE FUEL GAUGE APPEARS TO BE WORKING FOR A WHILE. *TR
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 GO…
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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
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
FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON A 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER WITH ONLY 67000 MILES. ESTIMATES FOR PARTS AND LABOR RUN APPROX. 400 - 500 DOLLARS . *TR
VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. PULLED OVER SAFELY. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP DETERMINE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $ 640.00 CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES ON IT. OWN A 2001 OLDS ALERO. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONLY …
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VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. PULLED OVER SAFELY. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP DETERMINE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $ 640.00 CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES ON IT. OWN A 2001 OLDS ALERO. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONLY 76000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT AND THE RECALL HAS CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS. SO NOW THE CAR CAN NO LONGER BE USED. PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS THANK YOU. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILIER ON JANUARY 2007 USED AT 71,000 MILES IN MARCH MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS, NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN NEAR MY HOME, AND I REALIZED THE GAUGE WAS READING WRONG. I HAD TO USE THE TRIP SETTING TO ENSURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I TOOK IT TO …
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I BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILIER ON JANUARY 2007 USED AT 71,000 MILES IN MARCH MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS, NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN NEAR MY HOME, AND I REALIZED THE GAUGE WAS READING WRONG. I HAD TO USE THE TRIP SETTING TO ENSURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND SPENT $500 ON A NEW FUEL PUMP , THE MAN SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PUMP WAS OUT AND THE WIRES WERE DAMAGED. NOW, I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ODOMETER THAT SEEMS TO BE SCRAMBLING UNLESS I PUSH ON THE COVER, IT JUST SHOWS RANDOM NUMBERS AND WONT STAY ON TRIP OR MY MILEAGE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS YET.*AK
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
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