IllustrationBRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK
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 WAS GRINDING VERY BADLY. TOOK TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FALTY GEAR, AND THEY WOULD FILL IT WITH SATURN TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONSUMER STATED IT SHOULD BE DEXTRON 3. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK
CONSUMER IS HEARING A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, COOLING SYSTEM MOTOR WAS MAKING THE NOISE.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATING ALONG WITH THE CLICKING NOISE, DEALER FIRST STATED IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM MOTOR, AND THEN THE BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY, CONSUMER STATES…
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CONSUMER IS HEARING A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, COOLING SYSTEM MOTOR WAS MAKING THE NOISE.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATING ALONG WITH THE CLICKING NOISE, DEALER FIRST STATED IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM MOTOR, AND THEN THE BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY, CONSUMER STATES THE NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. DEALER STATED A FUSE SHORTED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING ROUGH, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. AIR CONDITIONER WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. *SLC
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL IT WOULD PULSATE AND DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. HAD THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM HAPPENED IN MARCH 2001.*AK
VEHICLE (ENGINE?) WILL MAKE A RATTLING NOISE AROUND 1000-1900 RPM EITHER WHEN ACCELERATING AT THAT RPM, OR DECELERATING AT THAT RPM. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AFTER 2 VISITS. STATES IT'S NOT LOUD ENOUGH AND SHOULD BE IGNORED.*AK
A NOISE WAS COMING FROM DASHBOARD DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND COULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. ON THE FOURTH EXAMINATION,DEALERSHIP REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX WHICH CORRECTED THE NOISE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED. WINDOW WAS CLOSED AND NOTHING HIT IT.*AK
DECEMBER 2000, THE VACUUM LEAK IN THE FRONT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. IT WAS TAKEN INTO MOODY'S TO BE FIXED, THEY BLEW A FUSE FOR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. MAY 14, 2001 BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WENT ON AFTER CAR STALLED IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, IT TOOK A WEEK. DEALER FIXED IT ON MAY 22, 2001, …
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DECEMBER 2000, THE VACUUM LEAK IN THE FRONT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. IT WAS TAKEN INTO MOODY'S TO BE FIXED, THEY BLEW A FUSE FOR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. MAY 14, 2001 BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WENT ON AFTER CAR STALLED IN PARKING LOT. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, IT TOOK A WEEK. DEALER FIXED IT ON MAY 22, 2001, THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL, REPLACED FOUR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK.. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURED A FEW DAYS LATER. REPORTED TO DEALER, TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS, THERE WAS A WIRE THAT WAS FRAYED. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE AND THEN BLEW THE CIGARETTE FUSE AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CRUNCHING PLASTIC SOUND WHILE TURNING AND WHILE SHUT OFF ON JUNE 6, 2001. REPORTED TO DEALER ON SAME DAY. TOOK IT IN MORNING OF JUNE 7, 2001, THEY FOUND A BULLITEN ON THAT PROBLEM THAT WAS SENT OUT BY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY CANNOT FIND PARTS IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA, I HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK OR MORE FOR PARTS TO COME IN.( DOT NUMBER: )
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR STALLING AND NOT STARTING. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR AND STARTER ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAS TO GO BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RECTIFIED. PROBLEM STARTED AT 3500 MILES. *AK *JB
THE HARNESS RETAINER ON THE CARSEAT DOES NOT STAY ON THE ALPHA OMEGA CARSEAT. IT COMES OFF VERY EASILY, WHICH IN TURN MEANS THAT MY 9 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IS NOT PROTECTED PROPERLY. I CONTACTED COSCO THE MAKER OF THE CARSEAT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD GET ME A NEW PIECE BUT IT IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. I…
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THE HARNESS RETAINER ON THE CARSEAT DOES NOT STAY ON THE ALPHA OMEGA CARSEAT. IT COMES OFF VERY EASILY, WHICH IN TURN MEANS THAT MY 9 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IS NOT PROTECTED PROPERLY. I CONTACTED COSCO THE MAKER OF THE CARSEAT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD GET ME A NEW PIECE BUT IT IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. IF WE WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT MY CHILD COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT. I BOUGHT THIS CARSEAT TO PROTECT HER, BUT IT SEEMS THAT IT WILL NOT DO THIS. I DID NOTICE THAT THE ALPHA OMEGA CARSEATS ON THE STORE SHELFS NOW HAVE A DIFFERENT HARNESS RETAINER THAT CAN NOT COME OFF EASILY. I ALSO KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *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