10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,234 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #16

Nov 282014

Cavalier

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired. The contact was not aware of all the details involving the repair and the cause of the failure was not disclosed to the contact. The contact was notified of NHTSA campaign number: 02V286000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- North Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #15

Mar 102011

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • 185,747 miles
1997 Chevy Cavalier steering column and dashboard caught on fire on March 10, 2011. Car had no mechanical or electrical issues prior to the fire. Car was in excellent working condition. Car had been parked for approximately one hour after being used for a short drive. The Cavalier was parked outside in front of the house no one was in the vehicle. Fire department had to be called to extinguish the fire from the car. No prior knowledge of the recall for the electrical system ignition switch defect.

- Texas, TX, USA

problem #14

Dec 282010

Cavalier

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact was driving 10 mph when the steering wheel became resistant and locked. Without steering capability, the contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a building. The contact sustained head injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle for the failure and concluded that the crash was not due to any type of defect. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 05/04/11 updated 1/5/12

- Dallas, PA, USA

problem #13

Jul 151999

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Rack and pinion steering went out- was later a recall. Head gasket cracked leaking oil and antifreeze. Airbag recall.

- Lawrenceville, AL, USA

problem #12

Jan 102004

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In February, I had taken my 1997 Chevy Cavalier to the dealer for the bearing recall in Feb of 2003, after that I had problems when turning left my steering gets hard and have no control, I had the rack changed, in July of 2003 it worked fine up till sat. Jan 10, 2004 I had no control when turning left and right it was like I had no power steering. And it still does it, and im afraid that it could injure myself and my children. I saw the recall that GM was doing and thought that this could be my problem as well.

- North Liberty, IN, USA

problem #11

Mar 272003

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The steering wheel became hard to steer. Had the rack and pinion steering bearing replaced according to the recall notice, but this did not fix the problem.

- Arlington, VI, USA

problem #10

Mar 282002

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer attempted to make a left turn, however the wheels did not turn left, but veered toward the right which resulted in a collision. Just received a recall notice from GM concerning steering.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #9

Feb 112003

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer was unable to steer the vehicle to the left.

- Dayton, TN, USA

problem #8

Nov 012002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Defect recall campaign # 02 V286 000 steering: Gear: Rack and pinion noise and looseness in steering. Received recall notice from manufacturer.

- Hatboro, PA, USA

problem #7

Dec 152002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When you drive it the steering wheel wobbles and you can feel it in your feet like front end is loose

- Pataskala, OH, USA

problem #6

May 072002

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle made a loud noise while consumer was making a left turn. The cause was determined to be a broken steering system.

- Wheatley Heights, NY, USA

problem #5

May 072002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
The consumer stated that while at an intersection making a left turn, there was loud sound and making the turn was not possible. It had taken several hundred dollars to repair the steering system. The consumer requested reimbursement due to the fact that the system should'nt have failed.

- Wheatley Heights, NY, USA

problem #4

Mar 012002

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
When traveling at low speeds there is a cling noise in the steering. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced intermediate shaft.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #3

Apr 301999

Cavalier

  • miles
This is department of defense offcial investigation. Vehicle was traveling about 50 mph and hit a large fence and cement structure which caused vehicle to roll over and sustain frontal impact damages. Upon impact, passenger's airbag deployed, but driver's airbag did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this crash. Manufacturer has not been contacted.

- Picatinny, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 061998

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
The engine cuts off while driving and the steering goes out with it. Dealer can't find the problem.

- Glouster, OH, USA

problem #1

Sep 131998

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer experienced an intermittent/ongoing problem with vehicle steering locking up while making a turn at a low speed. Vehicle been in/out dealer shop on three occasions, and informed that nothing could be found/duplicated and problem still occurs.

- Manvel, TX, USA