NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
196 reports150,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ON-RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I WAS USING MY MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE (SIGNALING MY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THEN ONCE AT 65MPH SETTING CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT BEFORE THE WHEEL LOCKED. I TURNED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED/BRAKE…
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WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ON-RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I WAS USING MY MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE (SIGNALING MY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THEN ONCE AT 65MPH SETTING CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT BEFORE THE WHEEL LOCKED. I TURNED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED/BRAKED MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT WAS ON A SATURDAY. ON MONDAY WHEN THE SHOP WAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, THEY TRIED THE CAR AND IT STARTED/RAN JUST FINE. THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE TOW ONLY. PREVIOUSLY, THE CAR WOULD FAIL TO START. SIMILARLY DEAD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION - REPLACED THAT TWICE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP - REPLACED THAT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH-REPLACED THAT THREE TIMES. WINTER 2013 THE CAR STARTED FINE AND THEN A BLOCK FROM HOME ALL POWER WENT OUT AND ENGINE FAILED TO START UP AGAIN. TOWED CAR TO ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RUSTED OUT WIRE. REPLACED THE WIRE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER. THEY REPLACED ANOTHER WIRE. I'VE NOTICE THE CAR WILL THINK A BLINKER IS OUT BEFORE THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JUST FAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10630431
116,872 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER 7/12/13 WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: NON-WORKING ODOMETER, BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS THAT FREQUENTLY "SHORT" OUT & A NON-WORKING WINDSHIELD FLUID FUNCTION. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO TAKE VEHICLE HOME & RETURN IT THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF ALL THE ABOVE NOTATIONS THAT WERE DISCOVERED D…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER 7/12/13 WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: NON-WORKING ODOMETER, BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS THAT FREQUENTLY "SHORT" OUT & A NON-WORKING WINDSHIELD FLUID FUNCTION. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO TAKE VEHICLE HOME & RETURN IT THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF ALL THE ABOVE NOTATIONS THAT WERE DISCOVERED DURING A TEST DRIVE. UPON THE TIME OF RETURN, I WAS SADLY & RUDELY APPROACHED BY THE DEALER. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT CLAIM TO FIX THESE ISSUES? ON 7/17/13, I FILED A "COMPLAINT" WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REGARDING THIS POOR BUSINESS TRANSACTION. ALL OF WHICH, I HAVE PROOF. DESPITE MY ENDLESS EFFORTS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, NOTHING SIGNIFICANT HAS BEEN DONE ON MY BEHALF. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER A NUMBER OF TIMES, BECAUSE OF MY FAILING BRAKE LIGHTS - WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, WHERE MY BLINKERS HAVE FAILED & BEING STUCK "NOT" KNOWING HOW MUCH MILEAGE I HAVE ON MY CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE I CANNOT GET RESOLVED & AM HOPEFUL THAT YOU MAY ASSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593311
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A DRIVER TRAVELING WELL UNDER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID COLLISION, THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR SQUARE IN THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPL…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A DRIVER TRAVELING WELL UNDER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID COLLISION, THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR SQUARE IN THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAGS NEVER TOUCHED ME, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE COVER SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PASSENGER SIDE COVER SHATTERED THE PASSENGER WINDOW. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10585689
64,000 miles · Oct 28, 2013
Structure
MY 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS IN FOR FRONT BRAKES....MECHANIC PHONED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR (2002) AND MILEAGE (64,500) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I TOLD GM THAT MY MECHA…
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MY 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS IN FOR FRONT BRAKES....MECHANIC PHONED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR (2002) AND MILEAGE (64,500) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I TOLD GM THAT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. STILL THEY TOLD ME NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE OTHER FOLKS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS TO CONTACT NHTSA. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IF NOT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549827
72,049 miles · Jul 17, 2012
StructureSuspension
ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE. LOW MILEAGE, CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, SO IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE ALL DAY AND NIGHT. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME HE HAS SEEN THIS A LOT WITH CHEVYS. HE SAYS IT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH GM CARS DRIVEN IN THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER...SO MUCH FOR BEING IMPORTED FROM DETROIT…
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ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE. LOW MILEAGE, CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, SO IT DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE ALL DAY AND NIGHT. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME HE HAS SEEN THIS A LOT WITH CHEVYS. HE SAYS IT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH GM CARS DRIVEN IN THE NORTH BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER...SO MUCH FOR BEING IMPORTED FROM DETROIT; ISN'T THAT IN THE NORTH? HE SAYS HE CAN ORDER A USED REPLACEMENT FROM THE SOUTHERN US. I KNOW A CAVALIER IS NOT A TOP-OF-THE-LINE CAR, BUT ISN'T THE FRAME SUPPOSED TO BE THE STROGEST PART? COME ON GM, FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES! I WAS GOING TO LET MY 16 YEAR OLD KID DRIVE THE CAR, NOW I HAVE TO TELL HIM THAT HE CAN'T BECAUSE AN AFFORDABLE CAR MADE BY THE BIGGEST US AUTOMAKER IS CHEAPLY MADE AND UNSAFE!? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465998
57,000 miles · Nov 29, 2011
SeatsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VECHILE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ABNORMALLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD AND BOTH THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VECHILE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ABNORMALLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD AND BOTH THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
NHTSA ODI #10437660
48,500 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Visibility
MULTIPLE TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT FLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD FILL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TANK SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. FINALLY, I NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUIDS TUBING INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WAS FLAWED. THE TUBING IS ROUTED SO THAT IT PASSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK AND…
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MULTIPLE TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT FLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD FILL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TANK SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. FINALLY, I NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUIDS TUBING INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WAS FLAWED. THE TUBING IS ROUTED SO THAT IT PASSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK AND SEATS UP AGAINST THE HOT CAR BATTERY. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE TUBING APPARENTLY HAD ROTTED AND MELTED, AND IT CREATED A HUGE HOLE IN THE TUBING. I DO NOT KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DECIDED TO PASS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, AND SEAT THIS TUBING UP AGAINST THE BATTERY, AND THEN GO DOWN AGAIN, AND FINALLY FIT INTO THE BOTTOM VALVE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, BUT IT SEEMS POINTLESS AND STUPID AND A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW!!! NOW, I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS TUBING REPAIRED AND PROBABLY REROUTED THE SIMPLER ROUTE, WHICH WOULD ALLOW IT TO BYPASS THE BATTERY, COMPLETELY, INSTEAD OF PRACTICALLY WRAPPING IT AROUND THE BATTERY!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425297
104,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFT AND ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFT AND ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10409164
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment
WHEN THE CD PLAYER HAVE BEEN ON FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL STOP PLAYING BECAUSE IT HAVE GOT OVER HEATED. AN I CANNOT USED IT FOR A LONG TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400667
162,000 miles · May 8, 2011
Electrical System
MY 2002 CAVALIER HAD THE FUEL PUMP GO. WHEN THE GARAGE FIXED IT THEY SAID THE CLUSTER DOESN'T WORK. THEY KEPT TRYING TO IMPLY THAT IT WAS ALREADY BROKE BUT IT WASN'T. I HAD 2 LIGHT BULBS GONE BUT THAT'S IT. THEY REPLACED IT AND WITHIN A WEEK THE SAME 2 LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNT OUT AND THE ODOMETER NUMBERS NOW FLICKER CONSTANTLY. TH…
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MY 2002 CAVALIER HAD THE FUEL PUMP GO. WHEN THE GARAGE FIXED IT THEY SAID THE CLUSTER DOESN'T WORK. THEY KEPT TRYING TO IMPLY THAT IT WAS ALREADY BROKE BUT IT WASN'T. I HAD 2 LIGHT BULBS GONE BUT THAT'S IT. THEY REPLACED IT AND WITHIN A WEEK THE SAME 2 LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNT OUT AND THE ODOMETER NUMBERS NOW FLICKER CONSTANTLY. THERE MUST BE A WIRING PROBLEM. SEEING FIRES STARTING IN A COUPLE CAVALIARS MAKES ME REALLY CONCERNED. FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, THE RADIO CHANGES EVERYTIME I TURN THE CAR ON AND THE LIGHT BY THE HEATER CONTROL DOESN'T WORK UNLESS YOU TAP ON IT. SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT AND I'M TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A GARAGE TO TEAR MY CAR APART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399469