NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
243 reports91,000 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND AN INJECTOR, PUSH ROD, AND SPARK PLUG WERE INSTALLED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND AN INJECTOR, PUSH ROD, AND SPARK PLUG WERE INSTALLED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10242444
20,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Electrical System
AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK, RUNNING LAMPS OR HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK WINDOW WASHERS WILL NOT WORK, WIPERS ERRATIC, ETC.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10238707
29,445 miles · Aug 13, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. PULLED OVER SAFELY. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP DETERMINE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $ 640.00 CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES ON IT. OWN A 2001 OLDS ALERO. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONLY …
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VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. PULLED OVER SAFELY. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP DETERMINE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $ 640.00 CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES ON IT. OWN A 2001 OLDS ALERO. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONLY 76000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237997
70,396 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT AND THE RECALL HAS CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS. SO NOW THE CAR CAN NO LONGER BE USED. PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236622
88,888 miles · Jun 29, 2008
Tires
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FLAT TIRES ON THE SET OF BF GOODRICH TIRES ON MY 2001 CAVALIER. THE TIRES HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY ROAD DAMAGE, BUT HAVE INSTEAD JUST DRY ROTTED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GO FLAT AS I AM DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS GIVE FOUR BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES TO COMPENSATE FO…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FLAT TIRES ON THE SET OF BF GOODRICH TIRES ON MY 2001 CAVALIER. THE TIRES HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY ROAD DAMAGE, BUT HAVE INSTEAD JUST DRY ROTTED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GO FLAT AS I AM DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS GIVE FOUR BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE. THE PROBLEMS DID NOT STOP THERE AND I HAVE SINCE HAD SEVERAL FLATS THAT TOOK PLACE AS I WAS DRIVING, WHICH AS ANYONE KNOWS IS A HORRIBLE TIME TO HAVE A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232649
69,300 miles · May 5, 2008
Exterior Lighting
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, HIGH BEAMS WILL NOT WORK. AN ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS IS LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY TRAY AND IS CORRODED AND CRACKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226649
47,525 miles · Apr 22, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND FELT SOMETHING DROP FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE; THEREFORE, IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,675 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,525.
NHTSA ODI #10225349
131,000 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED IN THE PLASTIC SLEEVES, WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED IN THE PLASTIC SLEEVES, WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000.
NHTSA ODI #10217451
97,000 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILE PH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR HESITATED ACTED LIKE IT COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR -THE TRACK OFF LIGHT WAS ON-I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE NO WET CONDITIONS THIS HAPPENED MORE THEN TEN TIMES. HAD CAR LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT RESETS AFTER TURNING OFF CAR AND STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT WAS …
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I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILE PH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR HESITATED ACTED LIKE IT COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR -THE TRACK OFF LIGHT WAS ON-I WAS DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE NO WET CONDITIONS THIS HAPPENED MORE THEN TEN TIMES. HAD CAR LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT RESETS AFTER TURNING OFF CAR AND STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT WAS CHECKED ON COMPUTER FOUND NO PROBLEM BUT ON LAST TIME THE CAR DIED AS I WAS DRIVING INTO THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS AGAIN CHECK AND THE REPAIR MAN SHOWED ME THAT HE SHOULDN'T GET ANY INFO BECAUSE IT WASN'T SENDING INFO TO HIS COMPUTER. THIS SCARES ME I DRIVE MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THIS CAR .IT IS STILL DRIVABLE BUT FOR SHORT DISTANCES. I I HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO INFO ON THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER TO PUT ON THEIR COMPUTER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG MY REPAIR PERSON THINKS THE PCM NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216489
56,000 miles · Dec 21, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000) AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E026000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10212496
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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