IllustrationTHIS 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
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
3225–50K
1950–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
243 reports05-17/01 REPLACE LEFT FRONT STRUT & BEARING SUBLET: INSTALL NEW CLIPS 12-26-01 REPLACE SURGE TANK CAP 01-28-02 REPLACE WIRE ENDS AT EVAP CANISTER VENT SWITCH 12-06-02 REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB REPLACED EVAP CORE AND EVAC 04-03-03 REPLACED 2 SENSORS 06-05-03 AIR QUIT - GOT ESTIMATE TO REPLACE SUCTION LINE & SHAFT SEAL…
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05-17/01 REPLACE LEFT FRONT STRUT & BEARING SUBLET: INSTALL NEW CLIPS 12-26-01 REPLACE SURGE TANK CAP 01-28-02 REPLACE WIRE ENDS AT EVAP CANISTER VENT SWITCH 12-06-02 REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB REPLACED EVAP CORE AND EVAC 04-03-03 REPLACED 2 SENSORS 06-05-03 AIR QUIT - GOT ESTIMATE TO REPLACE SUCTION LINE & SHAFT SEAL FOR AIR CONDITIONER 06-09-03 CRUISE CONTROL QUIT COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON TWICE WHILE DRIVING - HAVEN'T GOTTEN ESTIMATE ON YET
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE AIR DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM
GOODYEAR CONQUEST P19570R14 POOR QUALITY TIRES,HAVE HAD 1 TIRE THAT HAD TO BE RELACED BY DEALER BECAUSE SEVERAL STEEL BELTS BROKE.TWO OTHER TIRES WENT FLAT BY HOLES MADE BY SMALL GRAVEL AND ONE OF THE TIRES THAT WAS FLAT HAD 3 OR 4 CRACKES IN THE TREAD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE 4TH TIRE.THESE TIRE HAVE LESS …
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GOODYEAR CONQUEST P19570R14 POOR QUALITY TIRES,HAVE HAD 1 TIRE THAT HAD TO BE RELACED BY DEALER BECAUSE SEVERAL STEEL BELTS BROKE.TWO OTHER TIRES WENT FLAT BY HOLES MADE BY SMALL GRAVEL AND ONE OF THE TIRES THAT WAS FLAT HAD 3 OR 4 CRACKES IN THE TREAD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE 4TH TIRE.THESE TIRE HAVE LESS THAN 25000 MILES ON THEM. I BELIEVE THE TIRES HAVE GOT A DEFECT PROBLEM.
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM NEW AND NOW HAVE 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS VERY HARD TO HEAR WITH THE WINDOW OPEN OR THE RADIO ON AND FIND MYSELF FORGETING TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USING IT TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEARD THE TICKING SOUND. THIS ONL…
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I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM NEW AND NOW HAVE 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS VERY HARD TO HEAR WITH THE WINDOW OPEN OR THE RADIO ON AND FIND MYSELF FORGETING TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USING IT TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEARD THE TICKING SOUND. THIS ONLY CONFUSES OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. SHOULD BE RECALLED TO HAVE A FLASHER WITH A HIGHER SOUND LEVEL INSTALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK
I WAS IN A VERY SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAVALIER FLIPPED END OVER END AND ROLLED NUMEROUS TIMES. AT NO TIME DID MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A COMPLETE LOSS. THE ACCIDENT WAS DEEMED AN ACT OF NATURE/GOD. NO AT FAULT. *AK
VEHICLE MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISING TO 200. OCCASIONALLY, THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT. CHECKED WATER IN OVERFLOW, LEVEL WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOW. ADDED SOME ANTI-FREEZE & THEN NOTICED WATER ON THE GROUND AFTER DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REP…
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VEHICLE MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISING TO 200. OCCASIONALLY, THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT. CHECKED WATER IN OVERFLOW, LEVEL WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY LOW. ADDED SOME ANTI-FREEZE & THEN NOTICED WATER ON THE GROUND AFTER DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2003. THEN THE PROBLEM WAS IT OVERHEATED & RAN OUT OF WATER. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THERE EVEN BEING A PROBLEM. *LA
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
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK *JB *NM
I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I JACKED UP THE CAR USING THE MFG SUPPLIED JACK AT THE CORRECT JACKING POINT. THE JACK BROKE APART, CAUSING CAR TO FALL TO GROUND.*AK
Official recalls
104V036000 · 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
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