10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,990 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 #15

Aug 152017

Cavalier

  • 198,000 miles
I was on my way to my dentist appointment, suddenly a hissing noise came from the car.all of the dashboard lights came on and I knew I was in trouble.I was on a busy intersection in the city.I had to act in a split second and steer quickly off of the nearest side ride.the steering wheel was locking up.I had just enough power to get safely off of the street in time and to keep from getting hit from behind.I was in motion on a city street.the car was trouble from day one.I believe it was a flooded out car sold to the unsuspectithat unsuspecting person was me.I got suckered out of over $2400. I have paid for at least 2 new cars with the money I have spent on this lemon.by the way the shady owner don't feel responsible at all for scamming my money out of me.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #14

Jul 102017

Cavalier

  • 160,000 miles
Takata recall: Fuel gage nas never worked since being bought, turn signals ( both right and left) barely worked when bought and went out completly the next day, power steering locks up occasionally and and cant turn wheel, shift gear linkages will only shift manually under the hood, car will die or struggle to continue running unless foot is always pushing on gas, engine occassionally backfires, and not quite sure if the fuel pump is working properly or gone out

- Raytown, MO, USA

problem #13

Mar 252005

Cavalier

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that in 2005 when she made a right turn at 15 mph, the steering wheel made a clicking noise and began to vibrate. The failure continued to occur. There were no warning lights that would allude to the cause of failure. The contact also noticed that the steering wheel would unlock and turn involuntarily when it was supposed to be locked. The fuel gauge was also defective. She also noticed that the lights on the instrument panel, and headlights, were also faulty. The bulbs in the left rear turn signal and brake light burned out and melted after they were used three to four times. The contact called the local dealer to ask about related recalls and was informed that there were no open recalls for her vehicle; however, the contact found eight recalls for her year, make and model vehicle. The current mileage was approximately 100,000. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 012003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Headlight wiring harness failure. Unable to use high-beams. When attempting to activate the high-beams, the drl activate due to not having full power getting to headlights.

- Johnston, IA, USA

problem #11

Mar 142005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
While driving fuel regulator failed and gas went through the motor, and the motor blew up. Vehicle towed to the dealer. Engine and was removed and replaced. In addition, consumer stated that after purchase of vehicle the computer when out.

- Middletown, MO, USA

problem #10

Aug 012004

Cavalier

  • miles
Brake light are not functioning when replacing bulb. Also, the lights on the dashboard continuously come on and off. The cause of this is undetermined.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #9

Mar 102003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,500 miles
The turn signals and brake lamps continued to fail. The consumer had to replace the bulbs on numerous occasions.

- East Chicago, IN, USA

problem #8

Jun 242004

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Problems with dashboard lights blinking on and off. The vehicle was recalled for the starter system. The dealer replaced the harness. After the recall was done the consumer noticed that the dash light would blink on and off. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who determined that a cluster needed to be replaced. The consumer had to pay $592.86 for this repair. The dealer explained to the consumer that the wires behind the dash had loosened while going over bumps in the road. The consumer feels the vehicle may be too delicate if it cannot stand a few bumps in the road.

- Pascoag, RI, USA

problem #7

Mar 102004

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer complained about an electrical system problem. Since purchasing vehicle in 1999 consumer had this vehicle back and forth in the repair shop, and mechanics kept telling her that there was nothing wrong with vehicle. Also, since purchasing vehicle 4 batteries burned out. Vehicle had left consumer stranded, and she had it towed to dealers, and once to her home. Once consumer was told by mechanic that the electrical problem was solved, but vehicle still needed an alternator.

- Sun City, AZ, USA

problem #6

Jan 102003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
When I bought the car in springfield mo., I only had 8 miles on the car when I drove it off the lot. I live in rolla which is only 110 miles at the most. I drove straight home and the mileage showed 265 miles, twice the mileage. Also, the car shakes and grinds when starting. They found nothing wrong with it. That was when it had less than 1000 miles. Fuel lines or something smells heavy with gas. My car eats gas more than my astro van. They said nothing was wrong. I have put three cooling systems in this car they said was wrong. Fuses keep burning out. I have replaced 65 bulbs, they said nothing is wrong. It's much worse now. When I turn the car the steering sticks then goes into the turn, they said nothing was wrong. This car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it. Ph **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770836

- Rolla, MO, USA

problem #5

Apr 012003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,346 miles
I purchase a used 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier from a Chevrolet dealer in hamilton NJ. Since the time of purchase in late 2001, the car has been in service many times for the windows and locks not working among other things, and has had three driver's side window regulators replaced. Each time I was told a new regulator was put in. When I questioned the quality of the regulators, the dealer told me my complaint was with GM and not them because they get their parts from GM. How can the window regulators be "bad" three times in less than a year" besides the windows, I've had problems with automatic locks not working and the drivers side door not closing. The car is still under warranty but what happens when the warrenty expires and I need yet another window regulator" I do not qualify for the NJ used car lemon law because the problems began three months beyond the limitation date, even though I met every other qualification.

- Allentown, NJ, USA

problem #4

Aug 132000

Cavalier

  • miles
Possible electrical failure, ets light, safety belt light, and airbag light flash on and off.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 132000

Cavalier

  • miles
Possible electrical failure, ets light, safety belt light, and airbag light flash on and off.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #2

May 082000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical system failed to work. Problem was causing the lights inside & outside not to come on. Had the fuses replaced for all elelctrical components. Also had the electrical components checked & mechanic indicated no problem was found. Been back to dealer twice about electrical cluster problem. The customer states that the vehicle was taken to shop five times for electrical, instrumtnt cluster, brake lights and back up lights.

- Sunland, CA, USA

problem #1

Dec 101999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer experiencing problem with an electrical short causing a malfunction with the power windows/ horn assembly and battery. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Los Vegas, NV, USA