NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
26 reportsClear category filter28,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
SteeringFire
WHILE PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE FRICTION ON A LOOSE POWER STEERING PULLEY.*AK CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE, BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. CONSUMER FELT THAT BATTERY APPEARED TO BE DEAD. MANUFACTURER'S INSPECTOR …
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WHILE PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE FRICTION ON A LOOSE POWER STEERING PULLEY.*AK CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE, BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. CONSUMER FELT THAT BATTERY APPEARED TO BE DEAD. MANUFACTURER'S INSPECTOR SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE FRICTION FROM LOOSE PULLEY ON POWER STEERING PUMP. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10059766
36,000 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Steering
THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO GM'S RECENT RECALL. WHEN MAKING MOSTLY LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS I GET CLICKS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT NOW IS STARTING ON RIGHT TURNS. I PURCHASED THE 2001 CAVALIER WITH UNDER 36,000 MI . IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 37,000 MI. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10054267
Mileage 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
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
AT 35,500 MILES FRONT STEERING STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHILE TURNING CORNERS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT RESET. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ABS MASTER COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. AND STEERING WAS LUBED. AT 37,000 MILES POPPING CAME BACK, DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER…
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AT 35,500 MILES FRONT STEERING STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHILE TURNING CORNERS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT RESET. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ABS MASTER COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. AND STEERING WAS LUBED. AT 37,000 MILES POPPING CAME BACK, DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. ALSO, AT 45,000 MILES THE BRAKES WERE SHAKING, AFTER INVESTIGATION, MECHANIC STATED THAT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AND AM LOOKING AT HAVING TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AND I ONLY HAVE 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW. THEN TODAY, MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO STAY ON. AM GOING TO HAVE TO GO, ONCE AGAIN, TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR THAT AIRBAGS WON'T INFLATE IN COLLISION. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045129
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
AIR/HEAT FAN, STEERING COLUMN ,BRAKES, ENGINE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045122
37,000 miles · Oct 17, 2003
Steering
AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES THE STEERING CASE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING, THEY LUBED SOMETHING. AFTER THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY BUT JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I STARTED FEELING A CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING, IT TURNS OUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR MY ANNUAL INSPECTION THE …
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AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES THE STEERING CASE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING, THEY LUBED SOMETHING. AFTER THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY BUT JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I STARTED FEELING A CLANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING, IT TURNS OUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR MY ANNUAL INSPECTION THE MECHANIC STATES IN ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO THE STEERING WILL NO LONGER WORK. TURNS OUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH STEERING, WHILE COMING OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY, THEY COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL, THEY EVENTUALLY HAD TOO CHANGE THE STEERING CASE IN THE CAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF A PERSON IS ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO LONGER CAN STEER THE CAR, THE RESULTS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043093
45,000 miles · May 31, 2003
Steering
RACK AND PINION UNIT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. CAVALIERS IN GENERAL SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH STEERING UNITS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO WHY THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING FOR YEARS. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FROM 1992 TO TODAY LIST A HISTORY OF STEERING UNIT PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL.
NHTSA ODI #10020791
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
SteeringCrashInjury
WHILE SITTING STILL, VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. AS A RESULT OF COLLISION POWER STEERING BELT FLEW OFF. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. *AK JLG
NHTSA ODI #8016495
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2002
Power TrainSteering
BRAND NEW CAR, 2 RACK AND PINION STEERING PUT IN IT WITHIN A YEARS TIME, POPPING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END, MAYBE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757977
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Steering
CONSTANT NOISE IS COMING FROM FRONT TIRES. MECHANIC STATS CAUSE OF NOISE IS STEERING ROD FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8002334
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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