10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,046 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 #14

Sep 012002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer replaced the battery twice in two years before receiving recall O4V036000 notice concerning the ignition switch in March 2004. The owner made an appointment to have the repair work done. The dealer installed a relay kit and recharged the battery. The vehicle was taken home and worked fine for three or four weeks. The owner continued to have problems with the battery draining, and having to jump start the vehicle. The battery was replaced at least one other time in November 2004. The owner talked with the dealer but was unsuccessful in getting the vehicle repaired under recall. The dealer actually wanted to charge for checking as to why the battery was draining instead of replacing the ignition switch as stated in the recall notice. Owner has talked with ronald berkan at General Motors, who contacted the dealer and was told that the kit was placed in the vehicle as required by the recall. Mr. Berkan also stated that the ignition switch was not involved. There was nothing else that GM would do under this recall. Consumer is afraid that if recall work is not performed the ignition switch could cause a fire. Still having problems and now has to jump start vehicle every 24 hours.

- Salem, MO, USA

problem #13

Nov 082004

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,683 miles
Recall 04V036000 concerning ignition switch failure. After taking the vehicle to dealer for recall repairs the vehicle did not start. Consumer had to have the vehicle towed to the dealer to do recall repairs again.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #12

Nov 022004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall 04V036000 on the ignition switch. After having the relay kit replaced, the consumer was unable to start the vehicle. The consumer had a remote starter installed and was told it was the ignition switch that was faulty.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

problem #11

Sep 092004

Cavalier

  • miles
04 V 036 000/ignition switch: Consumer has a concern that the dealer was unable to honor the recall because no parts were available.

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #10

Jun 012004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
Problems with engine failure. The consumer experienced starting problems described in recall# 04V036000. The consumer would place the key in the ignition, turn the key to the start position and the engine failed to start. The original switch was replaced. The consumer did not believe the recall was ever performed on the vehicle, since the vehicle continued to exhibit problems.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #9

Jul 012004

Cavalier

  • miles
Recall notice received regarding ignition switch failure. The consumer requested reimbursement. Recall# 04V036000. The consumers vehicle required a new ignition switch, starter and battery. The starter was replaced under warranty. It appeared that the electrical components had a short service span in this make/model. The consumers bill totaled over seven hundred dollars, but was sent a check for $136.62 for the part which pertained to the recall.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #8

May 152004

(reported on)

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
Problems with vehicle's ignition switch. Recall#04V036000. The vehicle required a new ignition switch, starter and battery. The consumer requested reimbursement for the ignition switch.

- Middle River, MD, USA

problem #7

Apr 232004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,968 miles
I have had my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier for almost 5 years now; in Feb. 2003 I had to pay $321.25 to have an ignition switch replaced in my car (which was an recall issue); I asked martin burks Chevrolet on forest park parkway in forest park, ga if the ignition problem was a recall issue and bob allen, the auto part service manager lied to me and stated that it was not a recall issue, so I paid $321.25 for repair service to find out a year later that the ignition system problem was a recall issue. So I want to inform you that Chevrolet has auto repair service centers with workers that lies to consumers just to take their money. At this present time, my 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier will not start because something is blocking the fuel from reach the motor/engine (which is another recall problem) but not according to the Chevrolet manufacturer; my wheels feels as if they are wobbling sometimes; and my steering column is making a squeaking sound when I turn it left or right. By putting in the VIN number, I found out that there has been four recalls on this vehicle, but the manufacturer states that there has been only one recall, someone is again lying and I don't believe it is the carfax report. I feel that GM should extend the warranties on their vehicles longer than they do because their vehicles are learned to be defective before a lifetime of 5 years is up (pre years lifespan) for any vehicle and the consumer should not be made to purchase the warranties, but gmpp (General Motors protection plan) should reissue an extended warranty when someone have had as many problems with their vehicles as I have within these last two years. I feel that these headaches and expenses could have been avoided if martin burks had fixed my car the first time; I also feels that martin burks Chevrolet is an untrustworthy service center. I will also be contacting the better business bureau to inform them of the unsatisfied service I have had with martin burks Chevrolet service center.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 222004

Cavalier

  • 130,000 miles
Consumer received recall concerning ignition switch failure. The dealer performed the recall repairs, but before the consumer could get home, the vehicle was having problems. The engine light had also illuminated. The consumer had problems starting the vehicle before the she received the recall. The consumer continued to have problems with the vehicle after the recall was performed, the dealer continued to tell the consumer that they did their part and anything further would cost the consumer.

- Seboyeta, NM, USA

problem #5

Mar 222004

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
NHTSA 04V036000\ ignition \switch. While the vehicle was parked on the driveway it caught on fire. The next door neighbor ran and remove the battery from the vehicle. The fire was coming from the driver side dashboard. The local fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer to get the remedy done. The problem with the ignition switch still occurs.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jan 272004

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • 65,000 miles
The vehicle experienced problems with the ignition switch. The consumer was unable to turn the vehicle off. The alternator had to be disconnected.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #3

Oct 282003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
I have replaced the ignition switch in my 1998 Cavalier 3 times in the past three years - this is not a cheap endeavor. I know there was a recall on 1995-1997 - but what about 1998?

- Southampton, MA, USA

problem #2

Jul 162002

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer states that steering column caught on fire when key was turned to start position. Vehicle checked by dealer who advised that the internal switch had melted.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 082001

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle will not crank, no power to starter. Dealer replaced ignition switch. There is a recall 02V070000 regarding replacement of the ignition switch for previous models, however consumer's vehicle is not included in recall.

- South Gate, CA, USA