NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
243 reports28,000 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
40,000 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Electrical System
VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. RECALL 04V036000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064974
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
25,453 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Tires
SINCE DEC. 5 2003 I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRES ON MY CAVALIER REPLACED BECAUSE THE STEEL BELTS BROKE IN THE GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE SIZE P195/70R14 WITH LESS THAN 25475 MILES ON THE TIRES.THESE TIRES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE MARKET UNTIL GOOD REPLACES THEM WITH A BETTER BUILT TIRE.I BELIEVE THE GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE IS A…
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SINCE DEC. 5 2003 I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRES ON MY CAVALIER REPLACED BECAUSE THE STEEL BELTS BROKE IN THE GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE SIZE P195/70R14 WITH LESS THAN 25475 MILES ON THE TIRES.THESE TIRES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE MARKET UNTIL GOOD REPLACES THEM WITH A BETTER BUILT TIRE.I BELIEVE THE GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE IS A VERY DANGEROUS TIRE AND COULD CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT AND COULD HAVE ALLREADY CAUSED SOME.THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED WHEN MY TIRES WERE REPLACED , THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE, WHICH IS LIKE REPLACING DEADLY TIRES WITH DEADLY TIRE.TODAY I HAD THE LAST TWO REPLACED BECAUSE OF BROKEN BELTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058902
11,910 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKES WERE SENSITIVE. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND WENT OFF AT LEAST TWENTY TWO TIMES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10053650
37,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical System
THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED TO WARN ANOTHER MOTORIST AND AS A RESULT THE MOTORIST RAN THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD. THE LOCATION OF THE HORN ASSEMBLY IS ACCESSIBLE TO WATER, SNOW OR ANY DEBRIS WHICH RESULTED IN CORROSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *NLM *MR
NHTSA ODI #10051966
25,140 miles · Feb 7, 2004
Tires
GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE P195/70R14 , STEEL BELTS BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BROKEN STEEL BELTS.TIRE CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056753
24,145 miles · Feb 7, 2004
Tires
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 1 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRE ,SIZE IS P195/70R14 BECAUSE STEEL BELTS BROKE IN SEVERAL PLACES WITH LESS THAN 25000 MILES ON TIRE.I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.I THINK GOODYEAR SHOULD REPLACE THE REST OF THE TIRES AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056751
43,000 miles · Feb 3, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRA…
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SINCE PURCHASING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAS TRULY BEEN LIKE A ROCK THROWN IN THE WATER. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ALMOST DIED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LATE FOR WORK, AND I WAS STUCK IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT FOR FOUR HOURS. I FINALLY GOT OVER THAT. OF COURSE, I DIDN'T TAKE OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH IF I HAD KNOWN THAT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THAT I WAS GETTING A LEMON, I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRUE SOUR PUSS AND BOUGHT A FORD. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL, NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE THAT IT SHOULD, I WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED. $643.77 LATER, I HAVE MY LEMON BACK, AFTER NOT HAVING A CAR FOR WORK FOR A FULL WEEK. THE DEALERSHIPS AROUND MY AREA WERE SOLD OUT OF THE FUEL PUMPS, WHEN TALKING TO SEVERAL PARTS SALESMAN, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD A RUN ON FUEL PUMPS DUE TO THEIR FAILURES, THEY SELL SEVERAL PER WEEK. HUH, IMAGINE THAT? I HAVE 43,000 MILES AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO DO WITH MY LEMON? MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I AM ASKING THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECALLS THESE VEHICLES FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. I KNOW THE FUEL PUMP IS THE SAME GENUINE CHEVROLET PART THAT WAS IN THERE TO BEGIN WITH. CAN I DEPEND ON THIS? HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW UP ON THIS AND CALL ME SO I CAN REALLY EXPRESS HOW I FEEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056457
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DEFECTIVE. " HAIR TRIGGER PRESS TO RELEASE BUTTON" MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINA, AGE 23 WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, WHEN ON IMPACT HER BUCKLE UNLATCHED, CAUSING HER TO BE EJECTED FROM HER VEHICLE. *JB CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE INERTIAL UNLATCHING WHERE THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED…
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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DEFECTIVE. " HAIR TRIGGER PRESS TO RELEASE BUTTON" MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINA, AGE 23 WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, WHEN ON IMPACT HER BUCKLE UNLATCHED, CAUSING HER TO BE EJECTED FROM HER VEHICLE. *JB CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE INERTIAL UNLATCHING WHERE THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED DURING THE COLLISION. ALSO BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DID NOT DEPLOY AND SIDE IMPACT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056311
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
There is no summary currently available
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