10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

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problem #18

Nov 052000

Cavalier

  • miles
The first incident with my 1995 base model Chevrolet Cavalier was when the horn stopped working, when I needed it most on a freeway when someone was about to hit me while changing lanes. The horn failed, and it had to be replaced at a cost of about $100, which I covered, since the vehicle was recently off of warranty. Months later, the trunk latch refused to work. I could not open the trunk from the rear or from the inside of the car. In late 2000, my brakes were making grinding noises. Turns out the rotors were badly warped at 50,000 miles. Now, 15,000 miles later, the brakes are grinding again, which leads me to believe that the rotors may once again be warped. At the beginning of 2002, I took my car in for a routine inspection, only to discover that the head gasket was cracked and leaking coolant all over my engine. The head gasket had to be replaced, which was a very costly repair. Only recently have I heard that this may or may not be covered by a "secret" warranty up to 7 years or 100,000 miles, something I wish I had been notified of before this happened. Finally, within weeks of the head gasket repair, the plastic on the driver's seatbelt snapped off, so now I must have the entire seatbelt replaced. I am very disappointed with all of the problems I have experienced with this car, and I have heard that other Cavalier owners have had even worse experiences than me! I would like to see General Motors stand by their products and at least reimburse me for some of the head gasket repair cost, which was nearly seven hundred dollars, but this may only be a pipe dream. There should be a recall on the Cavalier engine head gaskets for the 2.2 L engines. This seems to be a long-running problem on Cavaliers throughout the 1990S that GM has yet to publicly admit or address. What will it take for them to recall it, someone dying on the road when his or her car either stalls in busy traffic or catches on fire?

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #17

Aug 132001

Cavalier

  • miles
Brake pedal goes soft and to the floor, loss of brakes, (ABS) engages but no indicator light.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #16

Jul 172000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
When applying the brakes the pedal pumps back and the ABS light comes on. I've been told that the ABS accumulator has exploded and it is a common problem seen with this car.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #15

Jun 231999

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS was heard and felt to make clicking sounds - brake pedal went soft - brakes and ABS lights turned on. Brakes were fine afterwards but the experience repeated a few times before it could be checked out. Computer reading indicated dtc 38 (left front emb will not hold motor). After 5 days when able to get into dealership the dash lights finally went out and dealer unable to find a system failure. One year later (June 7-2000) same experience with car. Will see if dash lights reset in a few days. Brakes work fine except for that moment soon after startup and leaving house area.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #14

Jun 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
No summary

- Seaford, NY, USA

problem #13

Feb 031998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes failed.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #12

Dec 011997

Cavalier

  • miles
Improper brakes caused a low speed collision.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 121996

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving applied the brakes and the pedal gets soft and than goes to the floor. Will hear a click like the ABS trying to kick in.

- Westbend, WI, USA

problem #10

May 021997

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS brakes failed three times, once resulting in an accident/injuries.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #9

Oct 071996

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Poor ABS performance, in stop and go situations at speeds below 10 mph, the pedal goes to the floor, then it becomes hard and the vehicle stops.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #8

Sep 251996

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
When applying the ABS brakes, the brake pedal goes to the floor.

- Modena, NY, USA

problem #7

Mar 121996

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS braking; failure on the brake system causing the brakes to lock up, the consumer needs to replace the brake pads and rotors to often.

- Monroeville, AL, USA

problem #6

Mar 121996

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS braking; failure on the brake system causing the brakes to lock up, the consumer needs to replace the brake pads and rotors to often.

- Monroeville, AL, USA

problem #5

Mar 121996

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS braking; failure on the brake system causing the brakes to lock up, the consumer needs to replace the brake pads and rotors to often.

- Monroeville, AL, USA

problem #4

Jan 161996

Cavalier

  • miles
Failure of the ABS brakes caused the consumer to have an accident.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #3

Oct 011995

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS, in for repair, the ABS light and regular lights stayed on, replacement calipers and disc pads and rotors, in front also making a loud noise.

- South Grafto, MA, USA

problem #2

Jul 151995

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS system failure, total loss of braking ability, ABS brake light came on.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #1

Jun 201991

Cavalier

  • miles
Red light comes on hard brake pedal resulting in loss of brakes.

- Silverado , CA, USA