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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

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsSuspensionCrash

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VE…

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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI #10514223

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WITH A 18 WHEELER IT HIT THE SIDE THE WENT AROUND TO THE FRONT THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR TWO KIDS AND ONE ADULT DRIVER THE SEAT BELTS POPPED ALOOSED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT THIS IS A VERY BAD PROBLEM MY KIDS ARE ON…

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CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WITH A 18 WHEELER IT HIT THE SIDE THE WENT AROUND TO THE FRONT THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR TWO KIDS AND ONE ADULT DRIVER THE SEAT BELTS POPPED ALOOSED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT THIS IS A VERY BAD PROBLEM MY KIDS ARE ONLY TWO AND FIVE AND THERE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335588

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2010
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. LETTER FROM REGARDING CHEVROLET SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIS WIFE DURING AN ACCIDENT, BUT INSTEAD IT EXTENDED ITS FULL LENGTH. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS TOSSED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDOW WHICH CAUS…

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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. LETTER FROM REGARDING CHEVROLET SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIS WIFE DURING AN ACCIDENT, BUT INSTEAD IT EXTENDED ITS FULL LENGTH. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS TOSSED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDOW WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO HER FACE, NOSE AND EYES. HER ANKLE AND FINGERS WERE BROKEN AND RIGHT WRIST WAS FRACTURED. HIS WIFE ALSO SUSTAINED A STRESS FRACTURE ON HER LOWER SPINE. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A MINOR INJURY TO HIS THUMB. *JB UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB UPDATED 03/11/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10324272

10,000 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILER HAS FAULTY SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER WAS IN INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNDER THE GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD ONE PASSENGER AND TWO FAMILY PETS WITH HIM. THE DRIVER AND P…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILER HAS FAULTY SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER WAS IN INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNDER THE GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD ONE PASSENGER AND TWO FAMILY PETS WITH HIM. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BUCKLED UP. THE PASSENGERS KNEES WENT THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER SECURELY IN THE SEAT. THE SEATBELT LOOPED THE PASSENGERS BOWELS. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY AND ON MONDAY THE PASSENGER HAD TO HAVE MAJOR SURGERY TO REMOVER SOME OF HER INTESTINES. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. A YEAR LATER THE PASSENGER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER KNEES, FROM THE CRASH. THE PASSENGER ENDED UP WITH CANCER IN THE KNEES, IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT THAT HER KNEES WERE INJURED IN THE WRECK. IN APRIL THE PASSENGER PASSED AWAY, AND THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS A RESULT FROM THE SEATBELTS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER DOES HAVE PICTURES OF THE CRASH AND A POLICE REPORT. NO INSURANCE REPORT. ALL OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ALL THAT THE OWNER HAS ACCESS TO OR KNOWS.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128854

11,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

DT: HORN DID NOT BLOW UNLESS CALLER HIT THE RIGHT SPOT. CALLER SAID THERE WAS A DEAD SPOT IN THE HORN PAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT DID NOT COME ON.. COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE. CALLER STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND CALLER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE…

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DT: HORN DID NOT BLOW UNLESS CALLER HIT THE RIGHT SPOT. CALLER SAID THERE WAS A DEAD SPOT IN THE HORN PAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT DID NOT COME ON.. COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE. CALLER STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND CALLER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. DEALER REPLACED THE COIL PACKS. MANUFACTURER SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. ALSO, SEAT BELTS COME OUT OF THE GUIDE AND HIT THE PEOPLE IN THE EYE. CALLER SAID THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. CALLER DOWN SHIFTED THE GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUNK LATCH HAD A GAP IN IT, THE LID DID NOT CLOSE TIGHTLY. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10129189

11,317 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Seat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury

ACCIDENT OCCURRED POSSIBLE RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY THING THE CONSUMER COULD REMEMBER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAD TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOW WHEN THE INCIDE…

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ACCIDENT OCCURRED POSSIBLE RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY THING THE CONSUMER COULD REMEMBER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAD TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOW WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THIS ACCIDENT MAY BE RELATED TO RECALL#02V286000. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED AS WELL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10076022

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DEFECTIVE. " HAIR TRIGGER PRESS TO RELEASE BUTTON" MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINA, AGE 23 WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, WHEN ON IMPACT HER BUCKLE UNLATCHED, CAUSING HER TO BE EJECTED FROM HER VEHICLE. *JB CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE INERTIAL UNLATCHING WHERE THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED…

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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DEFECTIVE. " HAIR TRIGGER PRESS TO RELEASE BUTTON" MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINA, AGE 23 WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, WHEN ON IMPACT HER BUCKLE UNLATCHED, CAUSING HER TO BE EJECTED FROM HER VEHICLE. *JB CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE INERTIAL UNLATCHING WHERE THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED DURING THE COLLISION. ALSO BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DID NOT DEPLOY AND SIDE IMPACT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10056311

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10027070

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