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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 →

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.

23 crash reports8 fire reports14 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

7 reports
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69,300 miles · May 5, 2008
Exterior Lighting

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, HIGH BEAMS WILL NOT WORK. AN ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS IS LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY TRAY AND IS CORRODED AND CRACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226649

56,000 miles · Dec 21, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000) AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E026000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10212496

180,000 miles · Mar 9, 2007
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10184643

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2005
Exterior Lighting

MY 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) QUIT WORKING!. WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, YOU HEAR A CLICKING NOISE,(MAYBE A RELAY SWITCH)? AND THE DRL ICON ON THE DASH FLASHES ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES ALONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE DRL TURNED OFF, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR AND…

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MY 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) QUIT WORKING!. WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, YOU HEAR A CLICKING NOISE,(MAYBE A RELAY SWITCH)? AND THE DRL ICON ON THE DASH FLASHES ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES ALONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE DRL TURNED OFF, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE SERVICE LIGHT IS OFF, MUST RESET. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHT DOES NOT WORK AFTER THE DRL FLASH AND GO OUT(RIGHT SIDE IF YOU ARE FACING THE FRONT OF THE CAR THAT IS) REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LIGHT AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY FEATURE FOR MY CAR AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING, THE DEALER WANTS $100.00 BUCKS JUST TO HOOK MY CAR TO A MACHINE TO TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH IT, AFTER THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THAT COST ME $180.00 DOLLARS JUST TO TELL MY WIFE TO TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP WHEN YOU FILL UP THE CAR.(NICE HU?) IM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT CAVILERS HAVE A DRL PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE PLACE. WHY IS THERE NOT A SAFETY RECALL FOR DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS? AFTER ALL THEY ARE A SAFETY FEATURE AND DO SAVE LIVES, BY MAKING THE SMALLER CARS MORE VISABLE TO OTHER DRIVERS. WITH ONLY ONE HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHT WORKING AND NO DRL'S MY CAR HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER, AND EVEN MY SELF TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP BY ASKING GM TO RECALL THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GET S HURT OR EVEN KILLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116855

1 miles · Dec 26, 2003
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM NEW AND NOW HAVE 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS VERY HARD TO HEAR WITH THE WINDOW OPEN OR THE RADIO ON AND FIND MYSELF FORGETING TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USING IT TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEARD THE TICKING SOUND. THIS ONL…

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I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM NEW AND NOW HAVE 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS VERY HARD TO HEAR WITH THE WINDOW OPEN OR THE RADIO ON AND FIND MYSELF FORGETING TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USING IT TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE I CAN NOT HEARD THE TICKING SOUND. THIS ONLY CONFUSES OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. SHOULD BE RECALLED TO HAVE A FLASHER WITH A HIGHER SOUND LEVEL INSTALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051113

27,618 miles · Jan 1, 2003
Exterior Lighting

HEADLAMPS WON'T STAY ALIGNED

NHTSA ODI #10000451

Official recalls

1

04V036000 · 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

2

EA02028 · 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