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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

Suspension complaints

15 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 · Oct 16, 2007
Suspension

3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HA…

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3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HAVE TO PAY THE COSTLY REPAIR BILLS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205825

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 · Jun 30, 2005
Power TrainSuspension

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AT 50,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AT 40,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10127213

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2005
Suspension

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2001 CAVALIER COUPE 2 DOOR BACK IN 2001. I HAVE APPROX. 48,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WHENEVER I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH A PROBLEM CONCERNING MY CAR I SAY TO THEM, THE MANY NOISES OF THE CAVALIER AND MANY MORE TO COME. IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE I'M SO TIRED OF GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY CAN NEVER FIND TH…

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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2001 CAVALIER COUPE 2 DOOR BACK IN 2001. I HAVE APPROX. 48,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WHENEVER I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH A PROBLEM CONCERNING MY CAR I SAY TO THEM, THE MANY NOISES OF THE CAVALIER AND MANY MORE TO COME. IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE I'M SO TIRED OF GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY CAN NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS YEAR AROUND JANUARY 2005, MY BRAKES STARTED MAKING THIS AWFUL GRINDING NOISE ALONG WITH VIBRATING AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING THIS KLUNKING/POPING NOISE THAT I COULD FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD ME SO SCARED THAT IT WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THAT I BROUGHT IT RIGHT AWAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GRINDING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES AND ALSO THE POPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE WEATHER IS NICE NOW, BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING WORSE AND I'M SCARED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT'S FINE, MY STEERING WHEEL WON'T FALL OFF, THAT LITTLE THINGS WILL START TO HAPPEN AS YOUR CAR GETS OLDER. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD LUBE IT BUT THAT THAT WON'T NECESSARILY MAKE THE KLUNKING/POPPING STOP. AND THE BRAKES, THEY SAID ONCE AGAIN, THEY ARE FINE. I'M ESPECIALLY SCARED ABOUT MY STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM AND THE BRAKE PROBLEM ALSO. I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY, CAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE READ, THE STEERING WHEEL OR EVEN THE BREAK PROBLEMS HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A TRADGY TO HAPPEN???*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116420

25,773 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Suspension

NOISE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS ACTUALLY COMING FROM THE RIGHT STRUT MOUNT. DEALERS REPLACED MOUNT UNDER WARRANTY.I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS CAVALIER AM CONVINCED IT IS A POORLY BUILT AUTOMOBILE AND A LEMON.GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE,BU…

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NOISE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS ACTUALLY COMING FROM THE RIGHT STRUT MOUNT. DEALERS REPLACED MOUNT UNDER WARRANTY.I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS CAVALIER AM CONVINCED IT IS A POORLY BUILT AUTOMOBILE AND A LEMON.GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE,BUT NOT A CAVALIER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062052

28,500 miles · Oct 17, 2003
Suspension

CAR HAS A BROKEN STRUT OR STRUT MOUNT IN THE REAR. DEALER STATES THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS REAR ENDED, WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY, THE CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATES THAT THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SUCH A MINOR ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043104

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAS BROKEN SEVEN TIMES, AND HAS TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. TS

NHTSA ODI #10003908

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Suspension

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A PULSATING THROUGH OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023193

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #8023183

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