NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
11 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Dec 10, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire
UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS 20-30 MPH WITH FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON,IT BECAME MORE,AND MORE EVIDENT OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. FIRST THERE WAS AN INCREASING BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. A CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANEL HAS MELTED BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CARPET ITS POSSIBLE THAT IT BEING WINTER MOISTURE FR…
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UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS 20-30 MPH WITH FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON,IT BECAME MORE,AND MORE EVIDENT OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. FIRST THERE WAS AN INCREASING BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. A CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANEL HAS MELTED BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CARPET ITS POSSIBLE THAT IT BEING WINTER MOISTURE FROM MELTED SNOW SOMEHOW MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN, A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SEEMS TO PULL MULTIPLE CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I WANT TO NOTE THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF MY REAR DEFROSTED WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH, I HAD TO PULL THE 30 AMP FUSE THAT STILL HAD A COMPLETE CIRCUIT IN IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555521
90,000 miles · Dec 26, 2010
Electrical SystemVisibility
THE DEFROST WOULDN'T WORK WHEN REALLY RAINY OR COLD AND THIS STARTED IN WINTER OF 2009. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE AC WORKED ONLY WHEN FAN WAS ON MED OR HIGH, BUT FINALLY ONLY ON HIGH. THESE WERE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS: AC DUE TO BLOWER RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND DEFROST CAUSED BY A RESISTOR BURNED OUT. AC STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOME…
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THE DEFROST WOULDN'T WORK WHEN REALLY RAINY OR COLD AND THIS STARTED IN WINTER OF 2009. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE AC WORKED ONLY WHEN FAN WAS ON MED OR HIGH, BUT FINALLY ONLY ON HIGH. THESE WERE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS: AC DUE TO BLOWER RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND DEFROST CAUSED BY A RESISTOR BURNED OUT. AC STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. IF THIS WASN'T FIXED ANY SOONER COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE I'M SURE. NOW I HAVE TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW THAT I HAVE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. WITH THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAD NO SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. O2 SENSOR REPLACED @ 68,000 AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED @ 56,000 AND THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372414
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2006
EquipmentVisibility
THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOT…
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THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOTH, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CRAFTMANSHIP AND I WILL NEVER BY A CHEVROLET AGAIN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171685
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2005
StructureVisibility
THE LAMINATE HAS COME APART FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10089182
40,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DO…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10074301
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 · Jul 10, 2002
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUMER ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT AND ONLY REPLACED A BURNED OUT FUSE, 9 DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A DRY ROAD AT APPROXIM…
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CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUMER ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT AND ONLY REPLACED A BURNED OUT FUSE, 9 DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A DRY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SPUN AROUND, HITTING A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS ELECTRICAL RELATED AND FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE PROPERLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE TIME OF THE FAULTY TURN SIGNALS. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #566616
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Power TrainVisibility
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS RUNNING LOW.*JB
NHTSA ODI #566068
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED. WINDOW WAS CLOSED AND NOTHING HIT IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891436
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
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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