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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 →
243Owner complaints

Model-year median: 140

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
345
1998240
1999315
2000243
2001196
2002678
2003330
2004
Compare all Cavalier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
56Power Train
34Service Brakes, Hydraulic
32Engine And Engine Cooling
29Steering
26
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
22Air Bags
21Suspension
15Structure
14Equipment
11Visibility
11Fuel System, Other
9Seat Belts
8Vehicle Speed Control
8Exterior Lighting
7Unknown Or Other
7Tires
6Parking Brake
4Service Brakes
4Child Seat
3Engine
3Service Brakes, Air
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Interior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Wheels
2Seats
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2001
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

DECEMBER 2000, THE VACUUM LEAK IN THE FRONT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. IT WAS TAKEN INTO MOODY'S TO BE FIXED, THEY BLEW A FUSE FOR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. MAY 14, 2001 BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WENT ON AFTER CAR STALLED IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, IT TOOK A WEEK. DEALER FIXED IT ON MAY 22, 2001, …

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DECEMBER 2000, THE VACUUM LEAK IN THE FRONT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. IT WAS TAKEN INTO MOODY'S TO BE FIXED, THEY BLEW A FUSE FOR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. MAY 14, 2001 BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WENT ON AFTER CAR STALLED IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, IT TOOK A WEEK. DEALER FIXED IT ON MAY 22, 2001, THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL, REPLACED FOUR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK.. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURED A FEW DAYS LATER. REPORTED TO DEALER, TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS, THERE WAS A WIRE THAT WAS FRAYED. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE AND THEN BLEW THE CIGARETTE FUSE AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CRUNCHING PLASTIC SOUND WHILE TURNING AND WHILE SHUT OFF ON JUNE 6, 2001. REPORTED TO DEALER ON SAME DAY. TOOK IT IN MORNING OF JUNE 7, 2001, THEY FOUND A BULLITEN ON THAT PROBLEM THAT WAS SENT OUT BY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY CANNOT FIND PARTS IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA, I HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK OR MORE FOR PARTS TO COME IN.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #746555

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVisibility

I KEEP TAKING MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS AND THE DEFOGGER DOES NOT HELP; I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A SQUELING NOISE IN MY TIRES, AND MY STEERING COLUMN, STEERING COLUMN MAKES A HIGH PITCHED SOUND WHEN IN REVERSE; MY DRIVERS WINDOW HAS LOCKED UP ON ME T…

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I KEEP TAKING MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS AND THE DEFOGGER DOES NOT HELP; I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A SQUELING NOISE IN MY TIRES, AND MY STEERING COLUMN, STEERING COLUMN MAKES A HIGH PITCHED SOUND WHEN IN REVERSE; MY DRIVERS WINDOW HAS LOCKED UP ON ME TWICE; WHEN I FIRST TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED FOR MY TIRES THEY SAID THE MANUFACTURE DID NOT INSTALL THE NUTS AND BOLTS CORRECTLY AND THE SAME WITH MY STEERING COLUMN AND THEY SAID THEY WERE FIX BUT THEY ARE NOT!!!!! ; I AM GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF HAVING TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, IT SEEMS TO BE EVERY 3-4 WEEKS NOW; THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR THE KEPT IT ALL DAY AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. PLEASE WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THESE CARS I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS; EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE WITH ALMOST THE SAME PROBLEMS OR HAS ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM I HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #744761

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