IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND RAN HEAD-ON INTO AN ENBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *TT
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 reportsAIR BAGS FAILED TO WORK WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH RESULTING IN CAR HITTING BANK AND TURNING UPSIDE DOWN. MY DAD WAS THE OWNER OF THIS CAR BUT I FEEL A REPLACEMENT CAR WITH WORKING AIRBAGS WILL KEEP THIS FROM GOING INTO LITIGATION. *AK
AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL I…
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AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND SKID 35 YARDS DOWN THE GUARDRAIL, THE TURN SUGNAL FAILED DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. *JB *NLM
AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTI…
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AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON, THEN SKIDDED 35 YARDS DOWN A EMBANKMENT. PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND SKID 35 YDS DOWN THE GUARDRAIL, THE TURN SUGNAL FAILED DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. *JB *NLM
CONSUMER STATES WHILE FUELING VEHICLE TO FULL STATUS AFTER DRIVING HALF HOUR THE FUEL NEEDLE WILL REMAIN IN FULL, DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED SERVICE MANAGER WILL GET IN CONTACT WITH CONSUMER. NLM
TRANSMISSION KNOCKS AND SQUEAKS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE WHEN SHIFTING GEAR , VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD. *AK THE VEHICLE LOSES SPEED, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING AND MAKES GRINDING NOISES, CONSUMER STATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND ALL THREE TIMES IT HAS CONTINUED TO FAIL.*MJ
FRAME PULLING APART AT WELD ON PASSENGERS SIDE, BELOW DOOR. IT IS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO "POP" DOOR AND WINDOW STICK SHUT AND GAS DOOR SUCKED IN!*AK
WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES NOTICED BRAKES WEREJERKING/ RUBBING, AND PULLING TO EITHER SIDE, PULSATING AND LOCKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CANT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
2001 CAVALIER STRUCK A 1997 DODGE VAN BROADSIDE TRAVELING THROUGH A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION I SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO NO AVAIL WHEN VAN TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME.*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