NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
34 reportsClear category filterMileage 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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10047625
9,500 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10044300
17,001 miles · Aug 3, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. MY WIFE AND I ASKED THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM, IF THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. (17,000 MI, STILL UNDER WARRANTY). THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. HOWEVER, WE RAN INTO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND HE SAID THE DEALER GAVE HIM A 5 YEAR OR 60,000 MI WARR…
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TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. MY WIFE AND I ASKED THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM, IF THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. (17,000 MI, STILL UNDER WARRANTY). THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. HOWEVER, WE RAN INTO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND HE SAID THE DEALER GAVE HIM A 5 YEAR OR 60,000 MI WARRANTY JUST ON THE TRANSMISSION. AND STILL WITH THE WARRANTY NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030670
19,427 miles · Jul 16, 2003
Power Train
ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE 10TH TIME IN 2 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP RESETS THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES DOES REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN RELATED TO EITHER GAS OR POWERTRAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AFTER ACCELERATION GOING …
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ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE 10TH TIME IN 2 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP RESETS THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES DOES REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN RELATED TO EITHER GAS OR POWERTRAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AFTER ACCELERATION GOING UP A HILL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10028378
30,000 miles · Jul 9, 2003
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
AT 30,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH HALF A TANK OF GAS, MY CAVILER DIED. TOWED TO THE SERVICCE CENTER AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 45,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE, A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK IT IN AND CHEVOLET PUT IN A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY SO COST ME ALOT! FOR A NEW …
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AT 30,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH HALF A TANK OF GAS, MY CAVILER DIED. TOWED TO THE SERVICCE CENTER AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 45,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE, A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK IT IN AND CHEVOLET PUT IN A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY SO COST ME ALOT! FOR A NEW CAR THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING. MOST RECENTLY JUNE, 2003 THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING IN TWO PLACES, TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND CHEVOLET KEPT IT FOR 5 DAYS, COULDNT DIAGNOISE THE LEAK, ASSUMED IT WAS BOLTS ON THE FRAME OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WAITING NOW FO RTHE NEXT PROBLEM. VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025712
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2003
Power Train
WHEN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD GEAR IT MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE DEALER CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015942
20,000 miles · Dec 4, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH REPEATEDLY STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE. TS . THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH CYLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE CLUCTH SLAVE CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED, CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE P…
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CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH REPEATEDLY STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE. TS . THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH CYLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE CLUCTH SLAVE CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED, CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ALSO THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8023691
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2002
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
TRANSMISSION RATTLE/NOISE; REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID, DID NOT FIX PROBLEM; GM SERVICE WOULD NOT WRITE UP DEFECT AFTER 1ST ATTEMPT: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE; 1ST ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH CYCLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, 2ND ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SLAVE CYCLINDER, 3RD ATTEMPT, REPLACED PRESSURE…
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TRANSMISSION RATTLE/NOISE; REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID, DID NOT FIX PROBLEM; GM SERVICE WOULD NOT WRITE UP DEFECT AFTER 1ST ATTEMPT: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE; 1ST ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH CYCLINDER LINE ASSEMBLY, 2ND ATTEMPT WAS TO REPLACE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SLAVE CYCLINDER, 3RD ATTEMPT, REPLACED PRESSURE PLATE, 4TH ATTEMPT COULD NOT REPRODUCE FAILURE, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE, REPLACED IT AND SENDER. DT
NHTSA ODI #770231
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Power TrainVisibility
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS RUNNING LOW.*JB
NHTSA ODI #566068
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
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