10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 0 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.
When attempting to stop brakes grab causing the car to jerk several times before stopping. This occurs on both wet and dry pavement. In addition to this, when it rains the car has a delayed reaction with the brakes, often requiring about 10 feet before coming to a complete stop. Brakes are also continuously squeaking/squealing, regardless of whether the brakes are new or worn.
- North Huntingdon, PA, USA
Have put 3 alternators on this car, even when under warranty before 12,000 miles (approximately). Brakes have been replaced at least 3 times. Now, the brakes have failed completely and the ABS light came on. Dealer says no recalls, except for the ignition system. Scheduled that for repair 7/23/02. Seat belt plastic covers snapped off (belt loose on one and hit by car door when shutting it. The other one just popped off. Belt continues to slip off engine, causes stalling even if driving 55 mph. Now brakes intermittently failing. Left front brake continues to have brake dust accumulate on wheel cover. Car has 110,000 miles on it (engine repaired last year). Car is also overheating; has had tstat replaced, radiator fluid. What else could cause this, I don't know.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
Defect 1: ABS light would come on when making a left hand turn. ABS would no longer activate while light was on. Defect 2: alternator--went out while driving in city traffic, rush hour. Had previously asked dealer to check, but they claimed it was functioning properly. Defect 3: rack and pinion steering assembly--went out shortly after alternator, while driving in the dealership parking lot. Defect 4: timing chain tensioner--technician said this caused major engine damage--gears, head, etc. Defect 5: horn--has worked sporadically, at best, for the last year and a half. Seemed like a short.
- Toledo, OH, USA
My concern is the car is only 3 yrs old and we are continueing to have problems occur, the cigarette lighter has a short in it as well.
- Raeford, NC, USA
Brakes lock when stopping release and stop release and finally stop. Distance traveled until complete stop is about 10 to 12 feet. My daughter has a 97 Cavalier and it does the same thing. This is a very serious safety problem and must be fixed. The dealer person said that it is normal ads engagement. But that doesn't prevent a crash. He said that when one wheel is not on the same surface as the other a different signal is sent to each wheel and thus the problem of locking and releasing brakes. It seems to me that this is a systemic problem with anti lock breaks that are placing drivers in a precarious position. Lucky for me there were not vehicles in front of me when the brakes acted as they did. Otherwise I would have rear ended the vehicle in front of me with damage and possible injury to both of us.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
At any time when vehicle would sit over night in rain, the next day while traveling and when depressing the brake pedal, vehicle would go into extended stopping distance, and wheels would lock up. Dealer has been notified. Has yet ot be repaired.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash.
- Calument City, IL, USA
I was in heavy stop and go traffic. I was following the vehicle ahead of me at a safe distance (the other drive will certify this). That vehicle stopped suddenly, and I applied my brakes to stop as well. My vehicle slowed down inadequately and I rear-ended the other vehicle. I estimate my speed before I applied the brakes to be between 10 and 15 mph, and that I had between 30 and 40 feet between me and the vehicle ahead of me. I would have normally expect not to have any problems stopping under these curcumstances. As I try to remember the incident, I remember the brake pedal being very hard -- I was consciously pushing the brake as hard as I could. I have practiced emergency stopping and evasive lane change maneuvers on every car I have owned. This car does have ABS, but I'm convinced that the ABS failed to work correctly, and contributed to the accident.
- Mystic, CT, USA
ABS system is working intermittently, and when applying the brakes at any speed back wheels lock up.
- Portage, IN, USA
When driving at any speed there is a knocking noise coming from the motor. Also, when vehicle is in park there is a knocking noise, and when applying the brakes, the pedal is soft and hard. The dealer replaced the sensor within the brake.
- St Louis, MO, USA
Anti-lock brake system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which could have resulted in a crash. When applying brakes in a emergency / suddenly, the pedal is rigid and does not depress, causing vehicle to not stop on wet pavement / rain / snowy weather conditions. Dealer cannot determine the problem.
- Springfield, MO, USA
ABS starts rapid action at slightest bump on road (even slightly raised painted intersection road lines) causing greatly increased stopping distances and almost resulting in rear end collisions
- Manassas, VA, USA
My 1997 Cavalier has nothing but problems and, being a college student makes me stuck and, that is why I am contacting you !
- Lexington, KY, USA
My 1997 Cavalier has nothing but problems and, being a college student makes me stuck and, that is why I am contacting you ! no safety defect mentioned in summary.
- Lexington, KY, USA
Brake rotors warped, causing vibration- dealer repaird, rotors warped again, dealer wants $98 to turn down rotors again- car is still under warranty.
- Jewett City, CT, USA
Vehicles dies intermittently after a cold start. After restarting vehicle, the engine will race. Also vehicle accelerated forward without accelerator being applied. Brakes were applied, but were unable to stop vehicle, it surged forward almost hitting another vehicle.
- Union, MO, USA
This failure is the third one experienced. The first two were reported to mac haik service center and supposedly repaired by replacing the rear drums. I am currently filing a complaint against Chevrolet because of the number of times this rear brake lockup has occured
- Pearland, TX, USA
ABS system failure. When trying to stop brakes will lock up. Applied a little pressure or slowly stepped on the pedal to stop. Sounds of puffs of air and metal clacking together occurred. Dealer contacted, and is aware of the problem. Dealer states the problem is the design of the brakes and no other problem. Problem still exists and getting worse. Provide further information.
- Romulus, MI, USA
The consumer has been experiencing problems with anti-lock brakes. When applying the brakes hears a squeaky sound. The manufacturer has been contacted.
- Bowie, MD, USA
- Valrico, FL, USA