10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,896 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 #11

Aug 052019

Cavalier

  • 54 miles
Engine shakes when first started N when idling, but not when driving. Hoses N belts R not in good shape. Not sure about the air bags but seen on this site that there was a problem. I have seen that there are or where, quit a few recalls that were not taken care of. Especially safety ones.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #10

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 #9

Jun 012000

Cavalier

  • miles
I purchased a new 1999 Chevy Cavalier in March 1999 and began hearing creaking sounds coming from the steering column one year after purchase. Since the car was under warranty I took it the Chevy dealership where I purchased it for repair. They greased some parts to diminish the noise. I took the car in 2 other times to have it looked at and the same action was taken, no parts were ever replaced. Recently I took the car to a Chevy dealership and I was told the whole steering column needs to be replaced for about $2300. There are multiple complaints and warnings to mechanics that consumers may come to them with these issues listed over the last 9 years. Therefore, this is a flaw with the vehicle that until now Chevrolet has not taken responsibility for. Currently the vehicle is still making the noise and I was warned if the wheel starts to "stiffen up" to come back immediately as the danger of losing control of the vehicle is extremely high.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 272007

Cavalier

  • miles
I was driving down the street and was hearing this whining noise. The next day I pulled into the parking lot at work and it was difficult to turn the wheel. I called the shop I take my car to, and set up an appointment to have them check it out the next day. I took it to them and they said a metal piece underneath the car had rubbed against the tube that carries the power steering fluid. I asked them what had caused it and they said it was the way the car was designed.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #7

Apr 302006

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering-noise when turning steering wheel, in any direction. Took to a repair shop and was told I needed new bearings in the steering column.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #6

Dec 242005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles
The contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot the steering wheel spun around freely without the vehicle moving. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. They diagnosed that the coupling where the intermediate shaft meets the steering wheel slid out, leaving the bolt in the steering completely intact. The vehicle has been repaired, but is still at the shop. The manufacturer was contacted, but refused to assist due to the number of miles on the vehicle.

- Germantown , WI, USA

problem #5

Nov 152003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
Cd will not play. Get error message. Knob on mirror fell off. Battery was replaced in September 2000. Battery kept dying on me.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #4

Jul 012002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,806 miles
The consumer noticed noise coming from the steering column. The vehicle was serviced and the technician noticed the steering column shaft was binding. When the vehicle was still or turning, a clunk noise was heard from the steering shaft binded. (nancy witaszak-consumer)

- Melvindale, MI, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Feb 152003

Cavalier

  • miles
The steering wheel was difficult to turn.

- Arabia, OH, USA

problem #1

Dec 142002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving car it feels like whole front end is falling out. Steering wheel shakes and wobbles

- Pataskala, OH, USA