10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,086 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 #6

Jan 192007

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,500 miles
I was involved in a major accident which resulted in the totaling of my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. Although there was considerable front-end damage the airbags did not deploy.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #5

Jul 082005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
I was broadsided while making a left turn into a shopping center on July 8, 2005. My passenger side doors were completely pushed in. The car was considered a total loss by the insurance company. Driver's air bag and passenger air bag did not deploy. I suffered serious damage to my stomach area, resulting in 3 days of non-stop vomiting.

- Roseville, MN, USA

problem #4

Dec 132002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,297 miles
My airbag system has been worked on 6 different times and is now flashing the air bag lights again. This is a serious safety issue and should be looked into.

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #3

Jan 212003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,721 miles
During first snow in Dec 02, the ABS in my 2mo old car activated for the first time. The normal pedal vibs occured, but there was a patterned pinging of a spring at the pedals location. All braking power was lost during this, and I had to run a red light because I could not stop, even after pressing the brake again, with the same effect (this also occured while pulling into my garage on a dry surface, so I had to use emergency brake to keep from running into the back wall). I took the vehicle to the dealership, where they checked it twice on the road, and once with the sensor checks (no codes were found, they said). Of course I had them document this. On Jan 21 '03, I was forced to slam on my brakes because the vehicle in front of me stopped too fast. Although the pedal felt pressurized as it should be, there was again no braking power, although the ABS did not activate. No decelleration was felt until I slammed into the back of the vehicle in front of me (at approx. 30mph). Noone was injured although there is $4000 worth of damage to my car (and the airbags did not deploy although the front censor was impacted hard). There is definately something wrong, but the dealership could not duplicate the problem.

- Fort Meade, MD, USA

problem #2

Aug 192002

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling 35 mph and as a result of being cut off by an SUV, passenger's side air bag deployed, but driver's side air bag didn't deploy. Manufacturer has been contacted. The driver of the vehicle suffered injuries. The injuries included unconsiousness, broken sternum, seat belt abrasions, contusions, concussion to name a few. The crash was considered a full frontal impact to the side of the SUV involved.

- Gettysburg, PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 272002

Cavalier

  • miles
At a speed of 35-40 mph hitting a firebird in the rear, my airbag failed to deploy causing me to hit my head. Either my bumper is designed to low for a straight on impact causing the hit to slide up over the sensor and crush the hood or the sensor is positioned poorly or malfunctioned entirely. My radiator was pushed into the engine, if the bumper was not hit how could the radiator go into the engine.

- Smyrna, TN, USA