NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
54 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT 2 FEET FROM WALL. FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO BUMP WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUSTED WINDSHIELD. PARTS/SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER REMOVED BUMPER AND INSPECTED, AND HE SAW NO REASON WHY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. …
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CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT 2 FEET FROM WALL. FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO BUMP WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUSTED WINDSHIELD. PARTS/SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR LOCAL GENERAL MOTORS DEALER REMOVED BUMPER AND INSPECTED, AND HE SAW NO REASON WHY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. ALSO, THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AND BUSTED WINDSHIELD. HE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND REPORTED THIS. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO SEND AN INSPECTOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754157
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS ONLY DUE TO LUCK. I CONTACTED GM REGARDING THIS, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DIDN'T BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR "MAINTENANCE" (I DO ALL MY OWN OIL AND EASY FILTER CHANGES), I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANYTHING TO HELP DEFRAY THE $700 COST OF T…
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LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS ONLY DUE TO LUCK. I CONTACTED GM REGARDING THIS, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I DIDN'T BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR "MAINTENANCE" (I DO ALL MY OWN OIL AND EASY FILTER CHANGES), I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANYTHING TO HELP DEFRAY THE $700 COST OF THE ABS MODULATOR THAT FAILED, PREMATURELY, AT ONLY 64,000 MILES. IT IS LUDICROUS THAT THEY CAN TIE OIL CHANGES TO FAILURE OF A KEY BRAKE COMPONENT, AND REWARD REPEAT GM CUSTOMERS IN THIS MANNER. WHILE I AM AWAITING THE REGIONAL PERSON'S FINAL SAY ON THIS, IT DOESN'T SEEM PROMISING, JUDGING BY THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THEY'RE "CUSTOMER CARE" HOTLINE. (NOW THERE'S AN OXYMORON IF I'VE EVER SEEN ONE!!). *AK
NHTSA ODI #753525
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
ABS FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH OR VERY LOW SPEEDS. ROTORS REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE LAST TIME I HAD THE ROTORS FIXED THEY PUT A HOLE IN MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER AND WANT OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. STARTER RE…
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ABS FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH OR VERY LOW SPEEDS. ROTORS REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE LAST TIME I HAD THE ROTORS FIXED THEY PUT A HOLE IN MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER AND WANT OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. STARTER REFUSES TO TURN OVER OCASIONALLY, DEALER COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A RECALL VERY SOON ON THE BRAKES SOON, I'M LUCKY I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKES. THEY HAD TO ISSUE A RECALL ON A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM THEY HAD ON THEIR TRUCKS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753354
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN I DEPRESS MY BRAKES AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT AWHILE, THEY LOCK UP SLAMMING THE CAR TO A STOP. WHEN IT GETS ICY OUT MY TIRES WILL LOCK UP AND I WILL GO INTO A SKID.*AK
NHTSA ODI #752472
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE, DUE TO THEM BEING WARPED, AT TIMES CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, DEALER STATES THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #785476
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
EquipmentSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS IS THE THIRD CAVALIER I HAVE OWNED, AND THE LAST. THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT CAR, GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE BRAKES 3 TIMES (THEY WEAR FUNNY), THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL INTO MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. AND CHEVROLET HAS ONCE AGAIN STOOD BY THEIR WORD, I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO TH…
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THIS IS THE THIRD CAVALIER I HAVE OWNED, AND THE LAST. THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT CAR, GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE BRAKES 3 TIMES (THEY WEAR FUNNY), THE SEAT BROKE AND I FELL INTO MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT. AND CHEVROLET HAS ONCE AGAIN STOOD BY THEIR WORD, I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, SO THEY WILL DO NOTHING. WHAT A COMPANY.
NHTSA ODI #749174
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
3 MINORS INJURED. CAR TOTALED. BRAKES APPLIED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND HIT EMBANKMENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #748630
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN APPLYINGE BRAKES. PROBLEM IS DUE TO AN ABS MODULATOR FAILURE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL, AND WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886635
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
BRAKES HAVE STARTED TO MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER . DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NO DEFECT. BUT, AFTER 3 DAYS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO INOPERATIVE BRAKES.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #878699
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SHAKING IN THE FRONT WHEN BRAKING, DEALER TURNED ROTORS AND FOUND THAT 60% OF BRAKE PADS WERE LEFT, CONSUMER IS WORRIED THAT THIS HAPPENED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #558999
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
Nov 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.
Feb 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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