NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
243 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 23, 2006
EquipmentVisibility
THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOT…
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THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOTOR WENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER. THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MOTOR (WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $400 AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT) WENT AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDOW WENT, THE A/C COMPRESSION SYSTEM DIED ALSO. I'VE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $800 TO REPAIR BOTH, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CRAFTMANSHIP AND I WILL NEVER BY A CHEVROLET AGAIN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171685
63,018 miles · Oct 4, 2006
Power Train
MY CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT CAUSED A TRAFFIC JAM AND WAS ALMOST HIT. I COULDN'T GET MY CAR INTO GEAR, I FINALLY SHUT OFF MY ENGINE AND STARTED IT IN FIRST GEAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169972
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER MAKES A CLICK NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING HARD RIGHT. *TS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THE VALVE COVER GASKET, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150824
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineSteering
REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF T…
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REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YRS. STEERING COMPONENT THREE TIMES. FUEL TANK ONCE. MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING FROM POWER STEERING LEAK, AND ALSO HAS OIL LEAK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES. ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. 01 CAVALIER BOUGHT FROM TERRY LEE CHEVY. THIS CAR SUCKS!!!NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!! NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX HALF THE STUFF WRONG. TLC SUCKS. OH YEAH I FORGOT THE SENDING UNIT WILL BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME INN THREE YEARS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144377
99,000 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Electrical System
ONCE KEY INSERTED INTO IGNITION, IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN AND STEERING COLUMN IS IN A "LOCKED" POSITION; FRONT WHEELS ARE STRAIGHT AND NOT TURNED LEFT NOR RIGHT. SOME 5 MONTHS AGO THIS HAPPENED AND AFTER SOME 1.5 HOURS OF JIGGLING STEERING WHEEL AND TRYING IGNITION, IT FINALLY STARTED. CAR WAS LEVEL WITH WHEELS FACING STR…
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ONCE KEY INSERTED INTO IGNITION, IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN AND STEERING COLUMN IS IN A "LOCKED" POSITION; FRONT WHEELS ARE STRAIGHT AND NOT TURNED LEFT NOR RIGHT. SOME 5 MONTHS AGO THIS HAPPENED AND AFTER SOME 1.5 HOURS OF JIGGLING STEERING WHEEL AND TRYING IGNITION, IT FINALLY STARTED. CAR WAS LEVEL WITH WHEELS FACING STRAIGHT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141328
74,700 miles · Oct 7, 2005
Air BagsStructure
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO CRACKS RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CRACKED AREA WAS WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. WHEN …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO CRACKS RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CRACKED AREA WAS WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. WHEN HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING IN THE DASH AREA WAS CONNECTED TO THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACKED PART OF THE DASHBOARD WAS LOOSENING FROM THE REST OF THE DASHBOARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10139055
68,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD TO HAVE MY PASSENGER BACK DOOR LATCH REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED, THAT COST ME ABOUT $200. THIS YEAR MY DRIVER BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, AND MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING, THE HANDLE GETS HARDER TO OPEN WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TWO CHILD…
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ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD TO HAVE MY PASSENGER BACK DOOR LATCH REPLACED BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED, THAT COST ME ABOUT $200. THIS YEAR MY DRIVER BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, AND MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING, THE HANDLE GETS HARDER TO OPEN WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THIS CONCERNS ME FOR SAFETY REASONS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO GM AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MY SISTER ALSO OWNS A 2001 CAVALIER AND HER DOORS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION, I KNOW MY CAR IS NOT BRAND NEW, BUT IS IT NOT OLD EITHER AND HAVING DOORS THAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT TO MENTION COSTLY TO HAVE REPAIRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138433
96,376 miles · Sep 3, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FOG LAMP WENT OUT. THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND WOULD STICK WHEN APPLIED. WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STA…
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2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FOG LAMP WENT OUT. THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND WOULD STICK WHEN APPLIED. WATER LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM AND ALARM STOPPED WORKING. THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE HVAC BLOWER WOULD NOT WORK IN THE FIRST AND SECOND SPEED. THE DEALER FOUN AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE AND DETERMINED THAT HTE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS FALLING OUT
NHTSA ODI #10136689
10,000 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILER HAS FAULTY SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER WAS IN INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNDER THE GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD ONE PASSENGER AND TWO FAMILY PETS WITH HIM. THE DRIVER AND P…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILER HAS FAULTY SEAT BELTS. THE CONSUMER WAS IN INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNDER THE GARBAGE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD ONE PASSENGER AND TWO FAMILY PETS WITH HIM. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BUCKLED UP. THE PASSENGERS KNEES WENT THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER SECURELY IN THE SEAT. THE SEATBELT LOOPED THE PASSENGERS BOWELS. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY AND ON MONDAY THE PASSENGER HAD TO HAVE MAJOR SURGERY TO REMOVER SOME OF HER INTESTINES. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. A YEAR LATER THE PASSENGER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER KNEES, FROM THE CRASH. THE PASSENGER ENDED UP WITH CANCER IN THE KNEES, IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT THAT HER KNEES WERE INJURED IN THE WRECK. IN APRIL THE PASSENGER PASSED AWAY, AND THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS A RESULT FROM THE SEATBELTS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER DOES HAVE PICTURES OF THE CRASH AND A POLICE REPORT. NO INSURANCE REPORT. ALL OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ALL THAT THE OWNER HAS ACCESS TO OR KNOWS.*AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128854
11,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
DT: HORN DID NOT BLOW UNLESS CALLER HIT THE RIGHT SPOT. CALLER SAID THERE WAS A DEAD SPOT IN THE HORN PAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT DID NOT COME ON.. COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE. CALLER STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND CALLER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE…
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DT: HORN DID NOT BLOW UNLESS CALLER HIT THE RIGHT SPOT. CALLER SAID THERE WAS A DEAD SPOT IN THE HORN PAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT DID NOT COME ON.. COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE. CALLER STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND CALLER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. DEALER REPLACED THE COIL PACKS. MANUFACTURER SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. ALSO, SEAT BELTS COME OUT OF THE GUIDE AND HIT THE PEOPLE IN THE EYE. CALLER SAID THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. CALLER DOWN SHIFTED THE GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUNK LATCH HAD A GAP IN IT, THE LID DID NOT CLOSE TIGHTLY. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10129189
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