10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,060 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 #18

Feb 242006

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
: the contact stated a loud pop was heard on the inside of the vehicle, and then the dashboard cracked down the middle. The contact is concerned the airbag could deploy without an accident. The vehicle has been seen by the dealership, but no repairs were made.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #17

Aug 252004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 55 mph consumer's vehicle collided with the vehicle in front. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection.

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

problem #16

Dec 092003

Cavalier

  • 84,088 miles
While driving 35 mph ABS system failed completely. Dealer stated ABS motor become inoperative. As a result, vehicle was involved in a collision. Airbags did not deploy.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #15

Nov 192003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles
While driving at 30 vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and neither of the air bags deployed. Also, seat belt did not hold the driver.

- Wartburg, TN, USA

problem #14

Nov 112003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
While making a turn at 35 mph, there was a head on collision with another vehicle. Driver and passenger frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained a broken sternum and was hospitalized.

- Wartburg, TN, USA

problem #13

Aug 182002

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving at 40-50 mph air bags deployed unexpectedly. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

- Palacios, TX, USA

problem #12

Mar 112001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling 60-65mph and had rear ended a stalled out vehicle. Upon impact with other vehicle, both air bags came out, but failed to inflate. No injuries occurred.

- Ft Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Nov 252000

Cavalier

  • miles
Was traveling on highway at 55mph and vehicle hit a bump. Then, suddenly air bags deployed. Lost control of vehicle due to loss of visibility. Moved to slow lane & hit cement wall & went into a tail spin. Rear bumper was hit by another vehicle & came off. Horn failed to work when it was used. Driver received burns on right hand from passenger side air bag.

- Washington, MO, USA

problem #10

Sep 162000

Cavalier

  • miles
Was traveling about 35mph on a side street and a deer ran in front of vehicle, and rolled up onto the vehicle, and rolled by down to the ground. Sensor went off and module light came on. But, airbags didn't deploy, and vehicle's front was smashed in. Consumer stated that that dealership was aware of the problem.

- Pollock, LA, USA

problem #9

Jun 192000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling did not notice big trash vehicle and hit it head-on. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy at any time. Driver injured.

- Cyclone, WV, USA

problem #8

May 242000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving about any speed vehicle will stall without prior warning. A pull in the shifts when they change gear due to transmission failure. Consumer doughtyer is driving the car it stall causing minor accident in which the air bag violently deployed hitting the driver in causing injury, the other air bag broke the windshield.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #7

May 282000

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer had a head on collision with tree after avoiding a pickup truck, and air bags did not deploy, but the air bag lights came on. Daughter was injured in the collision. Gmac has taken full responsibility for the air bag failure.

- Cincinnati, IA, USA

problem #6

May 032000

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving about 60 mph over a wet surface lost control of vehicle, stricking trees in frontal collision, but air bags did not deploy.

- Stanton, TN, USA

problem #5

Dec 091999

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle hit a deer at 50-55 mph. Both air bags failed to deploy. But air bag sensor light show air bags have deployed. Dealer notified.

- De Witt, AR, USA

problem #4

Jul 141999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While making a left turn the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, causing vehicle to hit a wall. However airbag experienced no deployment.

- Loxahatche, FL, USA

problem #3

Mar 241999

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Defective passenger side airbag and carrier. Mjs

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #2

Jun 021999

Cavalier

  • miles
The air bags deployed without cause, then caused a minor traffic accident

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 041999

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in an accident. Hit a guardrail, causing damage to sensor and the computer module. Both air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified, and inspected computer which revealed that the air bags had deployed; but, in reality, did not. Also the seat belt did not secure properly, causing consumer to hit her head on the steering wheel.

- Saegertown, PA, USA