Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 56 of 503 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
58 crash reports10 fire reports44 injury reports
What owners actually said
503 reports
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Electrical System
WELL, I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF WHAT IS WRONG, MY CAR STALLED OUT AFTER FOUR TURNS OF THE IGNITION TO START IT UP AND THEN IT WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN. A FEW HOURS LATER, IT STARTED UP AND IT DIDN'T SOUND NORMAL, IT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. AS SOON AS SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME, THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR I AM WITHOUT A CAR RIGHT NOW. THAN…
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WELL, I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF WHAT IS WRONG, MY CAR STALLED OUT AFTER FOUR TURNS OF THE IGNITION TO START IT UP AND THEN IT WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN. A FEW HOURS LATER, IT STARTED UP AND IT DIDN'T SOUND NORMAL, IT SOUNDED TERRIBLE. AS SOON AS SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME, THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR I AM WITHOUT A CAR RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. CASEY SIX
NHTSA ODI #723332
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. SHE WAS HEARING POPPING NOISES. CONSUMER RAN OVER A BUMP, AND MOTOR FELL OUT OF VEHICLE'S HOOD AREA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861780
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
FEB 2000 I REPLACED A FAULTY WATER PUMP CONTINUED TO HAVE SLOW COOLANT LEAK...MAY 2000 HEAD GASKET WAS FOUND TO BE BAD.NO RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS .....NOT PURCHASED BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS WHAT I RECOMMEND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722321
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Air BagsInjury
RECALL9V146000/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT RECEIVED ON APRIL 13, 2000. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 45 MPH, A DEER JUMPED ON HOOD OF VEHICLE AND BROKE FRONT WINDSHIELD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE DEPLOYED AIR BAGS RUPTURED 2 DISCS OF THE DRIVER'S NECK. *YH
NHTSA ODI #861217
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2000
Unknown Or Other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER HAS ONLY DISCONNECTED THE WIRES, BUT NOT REPAIRED VEHICLE. ENGINE BLEW, RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON. *AK.ET.
NHTSA ODI #860722
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000
Structure
I HAVE HAD THE TOP REPLACED ONCE AND THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN , IN THE SAME PLACE 11 MONTHS LATER. THE SAME HOLE SAME SIDE SAME PLACE , I NEED HELP.
NHTSA ODI #721434
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP FOR A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REPAIRS, AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860210
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
WHILE DRIVING STRUCK A DEER ON THE ROAD. THEN CHECKED UNDER HOOD, WHERE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859772
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2000
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMPS FAILED. WATER ENTERED THE FRONT LIGHTING HARNESS LOCATED BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER FACIA. THE WATER WAS RETAINED IN THE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE CORROSION OF THE SPLICES FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS AND DRL CIRCUITS. THE SPLICES WERE BROKEN BY THE CORROSION, RESULTING IN FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720909
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET DIAGNOSED TO BE LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO PALANKER CHEVROLET IN WEST BABYLON N.Y. VEHICLE KNOWN TO HAVE GASKET PROBLEMS ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE IN 1995 CAVALIERS AND 1996 CAVALIERS ACCORDING TO OTHER CHEVROLET DEALERS( IE, DOBLER CHEVROLET, HEMSTEAD N.Y) AND BELIEVE THAT …
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HEAD GASKET DIAGNOSED TO BE LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO PALANKER CHEVROLET IN WEST BABYLON N.Y. VEHICLE KNOWN TO HAVE GASKET PROBLEMS ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE IN 1995 CAVALIERS AND 1996 CAVALIERS ACCORDING TO OTHER CHEVROLET DEALERS( IE, DOBLER CHEVROLET, HEMSTEAD N.Y) AND BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE. I AM VERY DISALUSSIONED BY THE FACT THAT THE DEALER I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO TO BE REPAIRED SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS MILAGE AND YEAR AND THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS OR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.. I HAVE SPOKEN TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP OR ENLIGHTENMENT REGARDING MY PROBLEM, INSTEAD IU HAVE BEEN SHOVED ASIDE AND IGNORED. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT HAVE NO EXPLAINABLE ANSWER AS TO WAY THEY OCCURRED BUIT YET HAVE HAD PARTS REPLACED CONTINUOUSLY UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED WITH THIS LEMON OF A CAR AND THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW!!! PLEASE HELP ME IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE WITH MY UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE AND CONTACT ME WHEN POSSIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE :)*AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
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
4
DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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