IllustrationCONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE ROTORS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE CAUSE DUE TO ROTOR DISC AND COOLING FIN SIDE DIMENSIONS, WHICH WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. *PH *JB
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 reportsTRANSMISSION IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. MY WIFE AND I ASKED THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM, IF THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. (17,000 MI, STILL UNDER WARRANTY). THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. HOWEVER, WE RAN INTO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND HE SAID THE DEALER GAVE HIM A 5 YEAR OR 60,000 MI WARR…
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TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. MY WIFE AND I ASKED THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM, IF THEY COULD LOOK AT IT. (17,000 MI, STILL UNDER WARRANTY). THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. HOWEVER, WE RAN INTO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND HE SAID THE DEALER GAVE HIM A 5 YEAR OR 60,000 MI WARRANTY JUST ON THE TRANSMISSION. AND STILL WITH THE WARRANTY NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING.*AK
ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE 10TH TIME IN 2 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP RESETS THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES DOES REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN RELATED TO EITHER GAS OR POWERTRAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AFTER ACCELERATION GOING …
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ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE 10TH TIME IN 2 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP RESETS THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES DOES REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN RELATED TO EITHER GAS OR POWERTRAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AFTER ACCELERATION GOING UP A HILL. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
AT 30,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH HALF A TANK OF GAS, MY CAVILER DIED. TOWED TO THE SERVICCE CENTER AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 45,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE, A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK IT IN AND CHEVOLET PUT IN A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY SO COST ME ALOT! FOR A NEW …
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AT 30,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL WITH HALF A TANK OF GAS, MY CAVILER DIED. TOWED TO THE SERVICCE CENTER AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 45,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE, A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK IT IN AND CHEVOLET PUT IN A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY SO COST ME ALOT! FOR A NEW CAR THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING. MOST RECENTLY JUNE, 2003 THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING IN TWO PLACES, TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND CHEVOLET KEPT IT FOR 5 DAYS, COULDNT DIAGNOISE THE LEAK, ASSUMED IT WAS BOLTS ON THE FRAME OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WAITING NOW FO RTHE NEXT PROBLEM. VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
WITH APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED. *TT THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT GIVE THE CORRECT READING AND WAS FIXED THREE TIMES. *SCC *JB
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.
THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE OF HOW TO INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT, THEREFORE THE SEAT WOBBLED AND TILTED AS THE VEHICLE TURNED CORNERS. (SWINGRIDE) MR SCC *JB
OIL FALLS ONTO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD WHEN CHANGING THE FILTER, THE HEAT SHIELD IS LIKE A METAL MESH COVERING THE EXHAUST PIPE. ALWAYS BEING TOLD TO LET IT BURN OFF. NOT GOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. *NLM
DEFECTIVE BATTERY CAUSED LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUSING BURNING AND DAMAGE. GM MECHANIC STATED COMMON PROBLEM WITH FACTORY BATTERIES. GM HQ WILL NOT AGREE TO REPLACE NOR COMPENSATE FOR DAMAGES OR REPAIRS. *NLM
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