CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO WARNING, HARD START ETC. JUST STOPPED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR HAS 66000 MILES AND I PURCHASED IT USED. THE TOTAL COST WAS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP ITSELF COST $489. *TR
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
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.
What owners actually said
243 reports3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HA…
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3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB BEARING, 1 TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING AND 1 TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE PARTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I AM TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER I HAVE TO PAY THE COSTLY REPAIR BILLS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR! *JB
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT HAD 14 MILES ON IT AT PURCHASE. BEFORE IT HAD 5,000 MILES, THE STRUT MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. WHEN IT HIT CLOSE TO 60,000 MILES THE TRAC OFF/ CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO PACIFY ME BU…
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT HAD 14 MILES ON IT AT PURCHASE. BEFORE IT HAD 5,000 MILES, THE STRUT MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. WHEN IT HIT CLOSE TO 60,000 MILES THE TRAC OFF/ CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO PACIFY ME BUT STATED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE GAS CAP NOT BEING ON RIGHT. NOT THE PROBLEM AT ALL BECAUSE I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET AND THEY REPLACED THIS PIECE YET AGAIN (WAS REPLACED BEFORE) AND I DROVE IT OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP TO NC AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE WAY DOWN THERE. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SHORTLY AFTER THE TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND IT MAKES A NOISE LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS READY TO FALL OUT OF IT. SEEMS THE PROBLEMS START WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO CLIMB A HILL WHICH TO ME HAS NEVER SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS CAP! NOW IT'S COMPLETELY OUT OF WARRANTLY, AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA DIE ON ME SOMEWHERE. HUBBY DRIVES IT LOCALLY AND HE'S GOTTA SHIFT IT INTO SECOND OR THIRD TO TRY TO KEEP IT FROM DOING THAT. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. YOU CAN'T USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE IT AUTOMATICALLY KICKS THE LIGHTS ON BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CAN'T STAY AT AN EVEN KIEL. WHEN YOU GO TO STOP, YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A MINUTE, TURN IT ON, PUT IT IN SECOND AND THEN GO. THE TRAC OFF LIGHT THEN GOES OFF AND SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF TOO. (50/50 CHANCE OF THAT ONE). THE RPM GUAGE FOREVER REVS UP TO 4-5 WHICH ALSO KICKS ON THE LIGHTS. I DONT' KNOW. ANYONE CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS CAR BETTER RUN NOT WALK TO A FOREIGN CAR DEALERSHIP AND BUY SOMETHING TRUSTWORTHY. I JUST BOUGHT A NEW CAR. TOYOTA COROLLA S AND I'M EXTREMELY HAPPY! NO MORE CHEVROLET CAVALIER'S FOR ME! THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I FEEL CHEVROLET AND THE DEALERSHIP PACIFIED ME ITL IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEN SAID, "TOO BAD!". NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A CHEVY. *JB
DASH HAS SMALL CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE. *JB
I BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILIER ON JANUARY 2007 USED AT 71,000 MILES IN MARCH MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS, NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN NEAR MY HOME, AND I REALIZED THE GAUGE WAS READING WRONG. I HAD TO USE THE TRIP SETTING TO ENSURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I TOOK IT TO …
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I BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILIER ON JANUARY 2007 USED AT 71,000 MILES IN MARCH MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS, NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN NEAR MY HOME, AND I REALIZED THE GAUGE WAS READING WRONG. I HAD TO USE THE TRIP SETTING TO ENSURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND SPENT $500 ON A NEW FUEL PUMP , THE MAN SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PUMP WAS OUT AND THE WIRES WERE DAMAGED. NOW, I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ODOMETER THAT SEEMS TO BE SCRAMBLING UNLESS I PUSH ON THE COVER, IT JUST SHOWS RANDOM NUMBERS AND WONT STAY ON TRIP OR MY MILEAGE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS YET.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4. HE PUT 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. HE THEN ADDED 12 GALLONS OF GAS. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4. HE PUT 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. HE THEN ADDED 12 GALLONS OF GAS. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE READS 3/4, THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO TAKE 10 GALLONS OF GAS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 182,875 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,875.
IN WEEKS PRIOR, A CLUNK WAS HEARD UPON LOW SPEED MANUVERING, LATER A RATTLE @ 2000-3300 RPM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE, SAVE TO GET $3,000 ESTIMATE AND SEVERAL OPINIONS, THAT A CONNECTING ROD IS DEFECTIVE, MAKING THE ENGINE VALULESS, WHICH ALL CONCUR THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE, AND GM MAY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEAR…
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IN WEEKS PRIOR, A CLUNK WAS HEARD UPON LOW SPEED MANUVERING, LATER A RATTLE @ 2000-3300 RPM. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE, SAVE TO GET $3,000 ESTIMATE AND SEVERAL OPINIONS, THAT A CONNECTING ROD IS DEFECTIVE, MAKING THE ENGINE VALULESS, WHICH ALL CONCUR THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE, AND GM MAY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS, AND DONE NOTHING.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH 47000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH 47000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 25 MPH HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE WHEEL OFF, FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FLUID, AND NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A WHILE. LAST MONTH I COULD NOT COME TO A STOP AT ALL AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END I ASKED AROUND AND FOUND ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO. *JB
MY 2001 DRIVER EDUCATION VEHICLE IS A CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WHEN SELECTED WILL INITIALLY WORK, BUT AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THEY STOP FLASHING. I AM FORCED TO TURN THE SIGNAL OFF, AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN WHICH USUALLY RECTIFIES THE PROBLEM FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME...BUT THEY OFTEN STOP…
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MY 2001 DRIVER EDUCATION VEHICLE IS A CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WHEN SELECTED WILL INITIALLY WORK, BUT AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THEY STOP FLASHING. I AM FORCED TO TURN THE SIGNAL OFF, AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN WHICH USUALLY RECTIFIES THE PROBLEM FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME...BUT THEY OFTEN STOP FLASHING EVEN WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR WHEN PROCEEDING THROUGH A TURN. *JB
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
Illustration