IllustrationCAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO WARNING, HARD START ETC. JUST STOPPED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR HAS 66000 MILES AND I PURCHASED IT USED. THE TOTAL COST WAS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP ITSELF COST $489. *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, Other complaints
9 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4. HE PUT 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. HE THEN ADDED 12 GALLONS OF GAS. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4. HE PUT 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. HE THEN ADDED 12 GALLONS OF GAS. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE READS 3/4, THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO TAKE 10 GALLONS OF GAS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 182,875 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,875.
SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRA…
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SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LATE FOR WORK, AND I WAS STUCK IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT FOR FOUR HOURS. I FINALLY GOT OVER THAT. OF COURSE, I DIDN'T TAKE OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH IF I HAD KNOWN THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THAT I WAS GETTING A LEMON, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRUE SOUR PUSS AND BOUGHT A FORD. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL, NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE THAT IT SHOULD, I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED. $643.77 LATER, I HAVE MY LEMON BACK, AFTER NOT HAVING A CAR FOR WORK FOR A FULL WEEK. THE DEALERSHIPS AROUND MY AREA WERE SOLD OUT OF THE FUEL PUMPS, WHEN TALKING TO SEVERAL PARTS SALESMAN, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD A RUN ON FUEL PUMPS DUE TO THEIR FAILURES, THEY SELL SEVERAL PER WEEK. HUH, IMAGINE THAT? I HAVE 43,000 MILES AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO DO WITH MY LEMON? MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I AM ASKING THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECALLS THESE VEHICLES FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. I KNOW THE FUEL PUMP IS THE SAME GENUINE CHEVROLET PART THAT WAS IN THERE TO BEGIN WITH. CAN I DEPEND ON THIS? HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW UP ON THIS AND CALL ME SO I CAN REALLY EXPRESS HOW I FEEL. *AK
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…
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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
GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY. SHOWS 1/4 TANK OF GAS HOWEVER GAS TANK IS BONE DRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO RECALL THIS GAS SENSOR AS I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY CARS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. RIDICULOUS THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YET.*AK
WITH APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED. *TT THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT GIVE THE CORRECT READING AND WAS FIXED THREE TIMES. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 70MPH FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK OF GAS. VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP WAS DAMAGED. GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, AND VEHICLE HAD NO GAS. DEALER ADVISED PROBLEM WAS A PART FLAW W/GAUGE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST BECAUSE VEHICLE …
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 70MPH FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK OF GAS. VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP WAS DAMAGED. GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, AND VEHICLE HAD NO GAS. DEALER ADVISED PROBLEM WAS A PART FLAW W/GAUGE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. VEHICLE STALLING ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE A COLLISON ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK
GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. GAS GAUGE WILL READ THAT TANK IS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS REALLY FULL. CONTACTED DEALER WHO IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *SLC
CONSUMER STATES WHILE FUELING VEHICLE TO FULL STATUS AFTER DRIVING HALF HOUR THE FUEL NEEDLE WILL REMAIN IN FULL, DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED SERVICE MANAGER WILL GET IN CONTACT WITH CONSUMER. NLM
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