IllustrationCONSUMER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE REPAIR OF HIS 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER VEHICLE. *LA RECALL# 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH) AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM REPAIR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT FIVE HOURS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cavalier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
3225–50K
1950–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
243 reportsWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DO…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOUR TIMES. THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION THEN WOULD RESTART. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ON ONE OCCASION. THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS CLICKING, AND THE REGULATOR IN THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 04002 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE WERE IDENTICAL TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *JB
ACCIDENT OCCURRED POSSIBLE RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY THING THE CONSUMER COULD REMEMBER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAD TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOW WHEN THE INCIDE…
Read full complaint
ACCIDENT OCCURRED POSSIBLE RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY THING THE CONSUMER COULD REMEMBER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAD TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOW WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THIS ACCIDENT MAY BE RELATED TO RECALL#02V286000. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED AS WELL. *SC *JB
AFTER MAKING 2 APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 04V03600 PERFORMED THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED UPON ARRIVAL THAT THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *NM
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE RELAY KIT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 04V036000. *NM
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. *JB
WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH LEFT REAR DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER STATED THAT RIGHT REAR DOOR ALSO OPENED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS ARE WORN ON 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. (NAR) *MR ROTORS DETERIORATED IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE, AND CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ROTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED AFTER LESS THAN 45,000 MILES. *LA *CB
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, AND BOTH FRONTAL ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WORE OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED TWO TO THREE…
Read full complaint
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, AND BOTH FRONTAL ROTORS BECAUSE THEY WORE OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED TWO TO THREE MONTHS AGO, AND THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK
Official recalls
104V036000 · 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
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