NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsClear category filter119 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS IN 2009. IT WAS THAT THE SWITCH OF THE KEY ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO START. SOMEONE CAME TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO REPAIR IT. HE HAD TO ADD A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WOULD BE TUNING THE KEY TO THE ENGINE TO START I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON TO START THE CAR. I WOULD H…
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THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS IN 2009. IT WAS THAT THE SWITCH OF THE KEY ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO START. SOMEONE CAME TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO REPAIR IT. HE HAD TO ADD A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WOULD BE TUNING THE KEY TO THE ENGINE TO START I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THAT BUTTON TO START THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING LIGHT BULBS CONSTANCY FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE SINGLE LIGHT. THE THEFT LOCK SYSTEM WOULD BE TURNING IT SELF ON WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING. THANKFULLY THERE WAS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THAT. BUT I WOULD BE STRUGGLING TO START MY CAR .I HAD TO WAIT SOME COUPLE OF MINUTES TO START THE CAR. THE RECENT INCIDENT THAT OCCUR WAS WHEN MY NEIGHBOR HEARD LIKE SOME FIREWORKS IN OUR SIDE OF OUR HOUSE. HE TOOK A LOOK AND HE SEEN THAT OUR CAR WAS SOME SPARKLING LIGHTS OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT WAS AROUND MIDNIGHT WHAT HE SEEN AND HE TOLD US THAT MORNING. AS I WALK TOWARDS THE CAR I COULD SMELL SMOKE AS IF SOMETHING BURN. I WANTED TO START MY CAR BUT WOULDN'T START. SOME ONE CAME TO FIXED IT AND HAD TO REPLACE SOME CABLE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THAT WAS THAT CAUSE THE SPARKING OF THE FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #10567219
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I JUST GOT A USED CHEVY CAVALIER A 97 MODEL AND IT OVER HEATS CONSTANTLY AND THERE IS A POP AN SPARKS WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF AND NOW THERE IS WOBBLING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK . I ONLY HAD IT FOR MAYBE TWO DAYS NOW AND THE FAN TO THE MOTOR WON'T COME ON NOW …
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I JUST GOT A USED CHEVY CAVALIER A 97 MODEL AND IT OVER HEATS CONSTANTLY AND THERE IS A POP AN SPARKS WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF AND NOW THERE IS WOBBLING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK . I ONLY HAD IT FOR MAYBE TWO DAYS NOW AND THE FAN TO THE MOTOR WON'T COME ON NOW AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE CAR LOT WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM THEY HAVE REPLACES THE THERMOSTAT( AIRCONDITIONER THING ) BUT IT' STILL OVER HEATS .. AND THEN I LOOK IN MY BOOK , AND IT GIVES A WEB SITE AND THERE IS ALL THESE RECALLS AND THE GUY TELLS ME WHEN I CALL THAT THE THINGS GOING ON WITH MY CAR ARE NOT IN THE RECALL LIST ACCEPT FOR THE SOMETHING TO DO WITH SPEED BUT IF THAT IS THE CASE WHY IS THE LIGHTS NOT CUTTING OFF AND THE CAR DOING ALL THESE THINGS .. I HAD A PERSON LOOK AT IT WHO WORKS ON CARS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK IS ON THE FUEL INJECTION SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T GO UP IN FLAMES .. IS THERE ANY HELP IN FIXING THIS CAR SINCE THESE ARE DEFECTS ? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231874
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: CONTACT STATES THE TIMING CHAIN ON HER VEHICLE BROKE ON A BUSY ROAD. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AGAIN. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, NOW THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126654
75,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
WATER PUMP LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. ONE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. A SECOND WATER PUMP FAILED JUST AFTER THE 36,000 WARRANTY WAS UP AND COST ME EXTRA TO REPLACE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DESIGN OF THE ENGINE WHICH REQUIRES THAT IT BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. THE THIRD HAS JUST FAILED …
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WATER PUMP LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. ONE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. A SECOND WATER PUMP FAILED JUST AFTER THE 36,000 WARRANTY WAS UP AND COST ME EXTRA TO REPLACE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DESIGN OF THE ENGINE WHICH REQUIRES THAT IT BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. THE THIRD HAS JUST FAILED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10112276
4,500 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN CAR RISES TO VERY HOT. THERE IS NO STEAM OR ANYTHING COMING FROM CAR, BUT YOU MUST STILL STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAIT FOR THE GAUGE TO READ COOL BEFORE YOU CAN CONTINUE ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IF YOU ARE ON A LINE FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I OWN A CAR THAT I DRIVE ONLY AROUND THE NEIG…
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THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN CAR RISES TO VERY HOT. THERE IS NO STEAM OR ANYTHING COMING FROM CAR, BUT YOU MUST STILL STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAIT FOR THE GAUGE TO READ COOL BEFORE YOU CAN CONTINUE ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IF YOU ARE ON A LINE FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I OWN A CAR THAT I DRIVE ONLY AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110192
96,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
HEAD GASKET REPLACED @27000 MILES, FUEL PUMP @ 30000 AND AGAIN AT 96000 MILES. BRAKES REPLACED 2X A YEAR FOR 5 YEARS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY. FAN ONLY WORKS ON SPEED 3 OR 4. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106554
78,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED WATER. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO CHECK THE WATER LEVEL DAILY TO MAKE SURE THAT ENGINE WOULD NOT OVERHEAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090319
189,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090307
103,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BROKE. LOOKING AT $2,600 TO FIX, EVEN THOUGH LOW MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064364
50,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT- WAS LATER A RECALL. HEAD GASKET CRACKED LEAKING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. AIRBAG RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10069314
Official recalls
7Nov 4, 2002
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.
Mar 6, 2002
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.
Dec 15, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
Jun 29, 1998
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.
Feb 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
Jun 28, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
Aug 29, 1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE 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
4DP03007 · 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
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