NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
26 reportsClear category filter180,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A FAILURE WIT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A FAILURE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC RESET THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E063000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10794585
92,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
MY KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND IN THE ON POSITION, AND ALSO ANOTHER TIME THE CAR KEY TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AND I LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND MY BRAKES LOCKED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639177
20,000 miles · Apr 17, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED A "CLUNK" CAN BE HEARD AND FELT. THIS HAPPENED BACK IN ABOUT 2003 AND STILL CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. ON SECOND COMPLAINT, ODOMETER NUMBERS NO LONGER SHOW UP PROPERLY. ONLY WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ODOMETER AREA DO THE NUMBERS LIGHT UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326096
47,000 miles · Mar 26, 2007
Steering
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH 47000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH 47000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE WHEEL OFF, FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FLUID, AND NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10186195
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
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
NHTSA ODI #10150824
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineSteering
REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF T…
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REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF THE STUFF WRONG. TLC SUCKS. OH YEAH I FORGOT THE SENDING UNIT WILL BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME INN THREE YEARS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144377
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2005
Steering
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION HAD FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113614
53,000 miles · Nov 18, 2004
Steering
CLUNKING FELT IN STEERING WHEN TURNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100162
3,345 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Steering
WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED THERE WILL BE A CLANKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER CLAIMS THAT STEERING IS SOME TIMES LOOSE AT ANY SPEED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED THAT A RACK AND PINION STEERING COLUMN WAS NEEDED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10081499
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
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
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