Steering assistance concerns
1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1988 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
82,435 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10064146 · 2004-03-30 (March 30, 2004)
PURCHASED A 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FROM E[ILOTOS AUTO SALES 2230 FRANKFORT AVE. PHILA. PA. THE CAR WAS SOLD WITHOUT THE DEALER INFORMING THE BUYER OF THE DEFECTS. THERE WERE MANY....TWO MAIN CRUNCHERS WERE THE BRAKES AND HUDDLED SYSTEMS. THE EMISSION STICKERS WERE DUE. THE DEALER SAID,"HE WOULD PUT STICKERS ON AFTER THE SALE," WHICH WHEN THE TIME ARRIVED FOR THE TRANSACTION,HE SAID,"WE COULD BUT THEY'RE HOT." NOW WE ARER HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A GARAGE TO PUT STICKERS ON IT BECAUSE OF THE MECHANICAL DEFECTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961934 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)
WAS DRIVING THE CAR CAME TO A STOP LIGHT PUT ON BRAKE IT FEEL LIKE CAR IS ALREADY TO GO. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488167 · 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 516875 · 1997-05-01 (May 1, 1997)
DUE TO THE ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING RACK AND ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS, THE STEERING FAILS ON LEFT TURNS IN COLD WEATHER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 516875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965196 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN FRONT DASH, ELECTRICAL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965196 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
16.7%Usable mileage2 / 12 records
58.3%Valid incident date7 / 12 records
100.0%Valid filing date12 / 12 records
58.3%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 12 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.5%ODI 482157PROBLEM W/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSES DOOR LOCKS TO CLICK/DOME AND ABS LIGHT TO COME ON/HEATER TO FAIL, ALSO CAUSES STARTING PROBLEMS. *AW | 41.5%ODI 10247351 · 48,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND MADE T… | 112.2%ODI 10025397I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. WHILE ACCELERATING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP - THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IN TIME AND I WAS NOT DRIVING THAT FAST. ALSO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. | 152.8%ODI 10009896THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND STALLED. THE SPARK PLUGS MELTED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE HEAD WARPED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE INTERNAL EXHAUST HEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY SWITCH, REMOVED THE HEAD AND RESURFACED. THE ELECTRIC FANS DON'T TURN ON. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FAN RELAY, ECT SENSOR, AND FUSIBLE LINK SHORTED(REMOVED REPLACED). THE VEHICLE HAD SURGED AND DIED OUT. THE SENSOR CONNECTOR CLIP BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSOLE UNDER THE RADIO HAD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, DUE TO MULTIPLE DTC PLUGS FOULED. THE VACUUM LIN… | 123.5%ODI 10020329WHILE DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED UP AGAIN. *NLM | 145.8%ODI 10006813WHEN 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 BU… | 227.0%ODI 10003383 · 53,000 miMY CAR BEGUN CUTTING OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON OR ABOUT THIS DATE. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER ON 11/27/02 AND THEY CHANGED THE FUEL LINE. ON 12/02/02 IT WAS STILL CUTTING OF SO I TOOK IT BACK. THIS TIME THEY CHANGED THE WIRES, PLUGS, AND 02 SENSERS. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT IT IS NOW 01/25/03 AND MY CAR IS STILL CUTTING OFF. I HAVE BEEN TO THIS DEALERSHIP (SIR WALTER CHEVROLET - RALEIGH NC) SEVENTEEN TIMES. THEY HAVE CHANGED SEVERAL MAJOR PARTS.( CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, 2 CATYLIC CONVERTERS, MODULES, AND OTHER PARTS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND… | 2610.7%ODI 10000452 · 44,896 miCIGARETTE LIGHTER SHOOTING SPARKS, BLOWING FUSES, DAMAGED CELL PHONE CHARGER | 2010.2%ODI 10010217COMPRESSOR NEVER WORKED WHEN THE CAR WAS BOUGHT. LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL CONTINUALLY SHORTED OUT, A WIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB | 578.4%ODI 10039926THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. THE MECHANIC FROM THE DEALER SHIP NOTED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SOCKET WAS MELTED. FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH | 10933.0%ODI 10104706 · 1,000 miELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH 2004 CHEVY CAVALIER. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASE (PURCHASED NEW) CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AT TIMES, PRE-SET RADIO STATIONS CHANGE AT TIMES, AND INTERIOR LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF BY ITSELF AT TIMES. *NM | 14149.1%ODI 10168174ABOUT A WEEK AFTER BUYING THE CAR, MY BREAK LIGHT COMES ON AND MY BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND WAS ALSO TOLD I PROBABLY HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT FROM THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GO BACK WITH SAME PROBLEM. NOW, AS IN TODAY, 6 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING IS GOING ON. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *NM |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11.8%ODI 843023WHILE TRAVELING THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMANTION. *AK | 3828.4%ODI 10101990THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT WHICH COST $700.00. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD AGAIN COST HIM $ BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *SC *JB | 2718.5%ODI 480365THERMOSTAT REPLACED DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING. *SKD | 4320.3%ODI 10091902 · 38,000 miWHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT LLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK | 165.9%ODI 517607ABS BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK | 357.0%ODI 509353COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL; ALSO ABS BRAKES GRIND/REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *AK | 305.6%ODI 10146874I HEARD OF A RECENT RECALL CONCERNING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON GM VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY SON''S 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT BELOW 10 MILES PER HOUR, FOR NO REASON THE ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP SAFELY. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE AND BY-PASS THE SYSTEM TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN. *NM | 339.6%ODI 10019937 · 28,250 miWHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS FAILED. *NLM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB | 2510.4%ODI 10013805 · 64,000 miFRONT BRAKES LOCKING AT LOW SPEEDS DUE TO ABS FAILURE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP, THE FIRST MECHANIC SAID FRONT ROTORS MIGHT BE WARPED. I REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND INSTALLED NEW ROTORS AND PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEN THEY ADVISED ME THAT SINCE MY TIRES WERE NOT ALL THE SAME BRAND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM....NEW TIRES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CAR IS NOT KICKING ANY CODES OUT TO THE COMPUTER AND NO ABS LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SPOKE TO GM TECH'S AND AT THAT POINT REPLACED BOTH FRONT ABS WIRING HARNESSES. PROBLEM STILL … | 154.8%ODI 10039847WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW A SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *PH THE ABS SENSOR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. *SCC *JB | 72.9%ODI 744761I KEEP TAKING MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS AND THE DEFOGGER DOES NOT HELP; I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A SQUELING NOISE IN MY TIRES, AND MY STEERING COLUMN, STEERING COLUMN MAKES A HIGH PITCHED SOUND WHEN IN REVERSE; MY DRIVERS WINDOW HAS LOCKED UP ON ME TWICE; WHEN I FIRST TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED FOR MY TIRES THEY SAID THE MANUFACTURE DID NOT INSTALL THE NUTS AND BOLTS CORRECTLY AND THE SAME WITH MY STEERING COLUMN AND THEY SAID THEY WERE FIX BUT THEY ARE NOT!!!!! ; … | 63.1%ODI 10004308WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS A GRINDING AND A FLAPPING NOISE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PH *TT | 30.4%ODI 10024326WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING NOISE. *AK. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED PH. *JB | 10.3%ODI 10141475 · 48,540 miIN RAINY CONDITIONS, MY CAVALIER DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP WELL AND THE ABS IS OVERACTIVE. PUDDLES, WET ROADS, RAIN, AND SNOW SEEM TO HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON MY STOPPING ABILITIES. IN TWO DIFFERENT RAIN STORMS I HAVE ALMOST HIT A POSSUM, A COP, A TREE LIMB, OTHER CARS, AND MISSED AN INTERSECTION; NON OF WHICH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH SPEEDING. THE LACK OF STOPPING ABILITY IS DANGEROUS TO ME AND OTHERS DRIVING AROUND ME. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR ANYM… | 10.3%ODI 10130500 · 129,800 miDT: 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO TURN IT TOWARD THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE CURB. SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 20-30 MPH. SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THE FIRST TIME THE STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS ON 7-25-05 ,AND THE LAST TIME WAS ON 7-27-05. THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 59.1% | 53.7%ODI 10062742 · 114,000 miI OWN A 1992 CHEVY CAVALIER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE 3 TIMES. ONCE A YEAR EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A HEATER CORE/ BLOWN HEAD GASKET ONCE A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR CHEVY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY VERY COSTLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR AND TAKE VERY G… | 1510.3% | 3516.5%ODI 10039409HEAD GASKET LEAKING NEEDED REPLACED IN1998 AT 43445, THEN STARTED LEAKING IN 2002 AT 74847. | 4918.1%ODI 10005109 · 54,771 miSERVICE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY HEAD GASKET ON MY 1995 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS NOT COVERED BY DEALER DESPITE SERVICE BULLETIN #98054 AND #98054A AND THE FACT THAT MY VEHICLE HAD 54,771 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *JB | 458.9% | 244.4%ODI 10020932 · 51,000 mi1997 CAVALIER=HEAD GASKET BECAME WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED=$900. THERMOSTAT REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE. CAR RETURNED TO DEALER EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM INVOLVING OVERHEATING AND COOLANT LEAKS. PROBLEM CONTINUALLY REOCCURS, EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEEMED FINALLY REPAIRED. *AK | 123.5%ODI 10012130THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED ANTI FREEZE, AND THE OIL PAN LEAKED OIL. *JB | 114.6%ODI 10008325 · 61,200 miVALVE COVER GASKET AND HEAD GASKET BOTH FAULTY ON ENGINE AT ONLY 60,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT YET I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY RECALLS. CHEVROLET FAILS TO ADMIT TO THESE FAILURES, AND WILL NOT ASSIST. IN SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, THREE OTHER CAVALIER OWNERS HAVE REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND CHEVROLET DOES NOTHING.*JB | 154.8%ODI 10002601CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHIC CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB | 124.9%ODI 10018591OIL FALLS ONTO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD WHEN CHANGING THE FILTER, THE HEAT SHIELD IS LIKE A METAL MESH COVERING THE EXHAUST PIPE. ALWAYS BEING TOLD TO LET IT BURN OFF. NOT GOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. *NLM | 84.1%ODI 10025959 · 5,424 miENGINE AND VEHICLE SPEED SOMETIMES, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, DO NOT RESPOND TO DRIVER CONTROL - VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, HAD TO RIDE BRAKES TO CONTROL SPEED. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES WITH INCREASING SEVERITY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME - ON THE SIXTH TIME THE VEHICLE REACHED 60MPH WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING TOUCHED. REVIEW OF ODI COMPLIANTS SHOWS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SIMILAR RELATED COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL WITH AGE. HAD PURCHASED CAR TO GIVE TO MY NEWLY LICENSED DAUGHTER, WHO, DUE TO LACK OF EXPERIENCE, WAS INITIALLY U… | 101.5%ODI 10037447I WAS INFORMED BY A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT CHEVROLET ON 9/5/03 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED FOR HEAD GASKET REPAIR UNDER A "SPECIAL POLICY" RECALL. AT THE URGING OF THIS CUSTOMER SERVICE REP FROM CHEVROLET, BRUCE MITCHELL, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. I WAS NOTIFIED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPT. THAT THIS "SPECIAL POLICY" EXPIRED 7/03 AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1,400 TO FIX ALL OF THE DAMAGES INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKET. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. I CALLED CHEVROLET AND SPOKE WITH THE SAME CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESEN… | 72.1%ODI 10108873 · 12,000 miWHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAITED A WHILE THEN STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.7%ODI 10071278MAJOR FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S WATER-RESISTANT ENVELOPE: SERIOUS WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IN RUST AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO CARPET, MOLD AND MILDEW IN CARPET AND UNDERLAY, AND UNPLEASANT ODOURS | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.4%ODI 720483AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH THE CAR BOGGS, LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS. HAD IT TESTED AT BRAEGER CHEVROLET AND THEIR COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC COULD FEEL IT. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN FOUND. I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN IT AS I NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL DIE OR NOT WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. | 20.4%ODI 10005013WHEN CAR FUEL TANK IS READING BELOW 1/4 TANK, CAR WILL NOT START. CAR BACKFIRES, WHILE TRYING TO START AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THIS SINCE I [URCHASED THE CAR IN 1997. EVERYTIME THAT I TAKE THE CAR IN, I AM BEING TOLD IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THIS ITEM DEFINATELY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT CUASE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NUMEROUS CHEVY CAVELIER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. | 30.6%ODI 10070754 · 48,000 miTHE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATS WHEN IDLING AND IT WENT OUT. (NOISILY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A DENTIST'S DRILL) BEFORE GOING OUT I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PUMPING GAS FUMES INTO THE CAB AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BECAUSE IT IS IN THE GAS TANK IT COST ME OVER $700 TO REPLACE. | 10.3%ODI 700824THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SCHOOL CUSTODIANS TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES THAT RAN FROM MY CAR TO 2 OTHERS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY DETERMI… | 31.3%ODI 10006813WHEN 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 BU… | 72.2%ODI 10023516WHEN I PURCHASED MY USED 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER IN APRIL 2003 ABOUT 1 MONTH I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. AFTER PUTTING GAS IN MY CAR I WOULD DRIVE A LITTLE AND THEN THE GAS GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN TO APPEAR THAT THE CAR WAS ALMOST EMPTY BUT IT WASN'T. WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF IT HAD GAS IN IT I HAD JUST PUT GAS IN IT BUT THE GAUGE DROPPED TO APPEAR TO BE ALMOST EMPTY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD MY FUEL INJECTION WENT OUT. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER THAT MY CAR STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY TEMPERATURE G… | 124.9%ODI 10015921 · 27,000 miTHE VEHICLES FUEL GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. *NLM FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN ACTUALLY THE TANK WAS EMPTY WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER STRANDED ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FUEL TANK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT | 21.0%ODI 10279492 · 60,000 miMY 2002 CHEVY LOOKS LIKE IT NEEDS A FUEL PUMP. 3YEARS AGO I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE TOW SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND I HAD THE FUEL FILTER CHANGED NOW SINCE THEN IT RAN OK. I STILL EXPERIENCED HESITATION BUT AFTER HEARING THE COMPLAINS. I WANT TO ADD MY CONCERN. *TR | 19328.5%ODI 10083543 · 700 miVARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER.*MR THE VEHICLE TAIL LIGHT SHORTED OUT THREE TIMES THEN THE CIRCUIT SHORTED OUT. THE GAS GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE. COLD STARTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AT STOP LIGHT OR STALL OUT COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER' S SIDE SPEAKER BLEW. THE CD PLAYER WOULD EJECT THE CD WHILE IT WAS PLAYING. THE RPM GAUGE BOUNCED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR MADE NOISE. *NM | 82.4%ODI 10073471 · 100 miA STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VENTS WERE USED. THIS ODOR CAUSED NAUSEA AND HEADACHES TO ANY ONE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. AT ANY TEMPERATURE, THE VEHICLE TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO CRANK UP. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND BOGGED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY PICK UP SPEED AND ACT AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. *AK THERE WAS RATTLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL DUE TO THE REGULATOR, THERE WAS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT NOISE ON THE PASSE… | 82.8% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 11.8%ODI 979698THE FUEL PUMP GOES OUT IN THE COLD WEATHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 10.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 20.7%ODI 888581WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK WHILE ON FREEWAY VEHICLE STALLED.*JB | 61.2%ODI 10023976 · 39,500 miFUEL PUMP SEAL DISINTEGRATED. COST $1,081.00 (INCLUDING 3 DAY CAR RENTAL). EARLIER THIS YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND I WOUND UP PAYING AN ADDITIONAL $600 FOR OTHER DEFECTS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THINK THAT THIS AND MANY ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR CONSTITUTE IT BEING A LEMON. MORE THAN 5 RECALLS IN 7 YEARS. *NLM | 40.7%ODI 10106554 · 96,000 miHEAD GASKET REPLACED @27000 MILES, FUEL PUMP @ 30000 AND AGAIN AT 96000 MILES. BRAKES REPLACED 2X A YEAR FOR 5 YEARS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY. FAN ONLY WORKS ON SPEED 3 OR 4. *NM | 20.6%ODI 10034508PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.*MR THE VEHICLE BLEW FUSES AND DIDN'T START UNTIL IT SAT AND COOLED OFF WHICH WAS DUE TO THE BAG FULE PUMP. *PH | 20.8%ODI 744749FUEL PUMP FAILED ON EXPRESSWAY DRIVING. ENGINE ABRUPTLY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CAR WAS PUSHED TO SHOULDER OF EXPRESSWAY AND TOWED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND SENDER MODULE. *AK | 154.8%ODI 10020358 · 9,775 miWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE OLD FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL PUMP. *JB *CB *JB | 104.1%ODI 10047625MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT(2001 Z24 CAVALIER) HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. PISTON RODS FAILING, FUEL PUMP LEAKING, CRANKSHAFT FAILURE, GEAR BOX BENT CAUSING ME TO ONLY START CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CAN'T PARK ON HILLS. ALSO... VALVES HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES, ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, FUEL GAUGE WAS BROKEN, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING, SUNROOF SHATTERED ON ME... EVERYTHING HAS BROKEN ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME EVEN UNDER WARRANTY... I GOT A LEMON AND THEY WANT ME TO KEEP IT. SO MANY PROBLEMS I CANT… | 73.6%ODI 10049686 · 10,000 miFRONT ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY, ABOUT EVERY 10000 MILES. GRINDING NOISE HEARD AT LOW SPEEDS, WHETHER IN GEAR OR COASTING & NOT BRAKE RELATED. PREMATURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. *AK | 16223.9%ODI 10017411 · 10,000 miTHE VEHICLES FUEL PUMP SYSTEM HAD A HIGH PITCH FREQUENCY (DRAWING TO MUCH POWER). THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE FUEL GAUGE IS ALSO INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 11.8%ODI 809899OWNER STATES THAT AFTER 45 MINUTES WHEN THE CAR WAS LEFT AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN VEHICE BLEW UP, CAUSING A MELT DOWN, FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK | 43.0% | 128.2% | 83.8% | 186.7%ODI 10021261 · 81,134 miNUMBER ONE PISTON ROD BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW AND A BASEBALL SIZE HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT | 408.0%ODI 10051139 · 100 miI PURCHASED A 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS FROM ADVANCED CARE CARE INC IN ORLANDO FLORIDA 9-23-03 THIS CAR IS A LEMON. LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH IT (WAS SOLD TO ME TELLING ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT ). *AK PROBLEMS IVE PAID TO FIX SO FAR ENGINE REPLACED HEAD JOB (BLOWN HEAD GASKET) 02 SENSOR TWICE ECM COMPUTER TWICE COIL PACK- 3 TIMES ICM 5 TIMES ENGINE STRUT TRANSMOUNT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BRAKES ROTORS MAIN ROD BEARINGS CATALYTIC CONVERTOR THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE THAT THE CRANKSHAFT IS BAD , IT IS POU… | 478.7%ODI 10005305 · 162,800 miWHEN FIRST STARTED STRONG GAS FUMES IN CAR; THEN HESITATION/STALLING WHILE DRIVING, HAS GONE DEAD TWO TIMES; ROUGH IDLING. | 205.8%ODI 541547VEHICLE OWNED FOR 7 MONTHS. DOES NOT IDLE SMOOTHLY AND SKIPS. DOES NOT SHIFT EASILY. | 177.1%ODI 10030292TIMING TENSIONER KEEPS GOING OUT ON CAR. HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. *AK | 175.4%ODI 10086323 · 8,000 miGROWL / MOAN TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON HEAVY ACCELERATION WHEN MAKING A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN. *AK | 72.9%ODI 8003141ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH. WHEN ENGINE STALLS ALL POWER ASSIST FEATURES, I.E., POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE SIX TIMES AND CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK | 21.0%ODI 10162718 · 56,000 miWE WERE TOLD THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT! HEAD LIGHT OUT OF ADJUSTMENT BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING ENGINE STARED RUNNING ROUGH FEW HOURS AFTER WE DROVE OFF A CD WAS FOUND STUCK IN THE PLAYER DOOR NEEDED ALIGNMENT PARKING BRAKES NOT WORKING RIGHT. *NM | 10.1%ODI 10202906 · 55,000 miCAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS EITHER WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED OR WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE IDLE DIPS TO ABOUT 500RPM, FLUCTUATES, AND EITHER GOES BACK UP TO 900RPM OR STALLS THE CAR. RESTARTS ARE HARD. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES. IT HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. SOME DAYS IT'S FINE, AND OTHERS IT STALLS EVERY TIME YOU COME TO A STOP LIGHT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11.8%ODI 828224CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THE GURDRAIL. THE CONSUMER'S AIR BAG DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.7%ODI 886896VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD-ON BY MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER WAS BADLY INJURED. *AK | 41.9% | 176.3%ODI 10097179WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB | 479.3%ODI 10015837THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB | 438.0%ODI 10005257 · 52,000 miVEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER CAUSING INJURIES AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. | 226.4%ODI 10019309THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB | 187.5%ODI 10048210 · 108,000 miWHILE 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.*AK *CB *JB | 103.2%ODI 10018203WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM | 114.5%ODI 10001248VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS. *JB | 63.1%ODI 10003279 · 4,721 miDURING FIRST SNOW IN DEC 02, THE ABS IN MY 2MO OLD CAR ACTIVATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NORMAL PEDAL VIBS OCCURED, BUT THERE WAS A PATTERNED PINGING OF A SPRING AT THE PEDALS LOCATION. ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST DURING THIS, AND I HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP, EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE AGAIN, WITH THE SAME EFFECT (THIS ALSO OCCURED WHILE PULLING INTO MY GARAGE ON A DRY SURFACE, SO I HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO THE BACK WALL). I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY CHECKED IT TWICE ON … | 121.8%ODI 10031509CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK | 30.9%ODI 10094963 · 7,126 miVEHICLE T-BONED AT 45 MPH AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.2%ODI 10330604SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER JUST STOPPED WORKING,AND I WAS TOLD MY THROTTLE CABLE IS JUST BARELY HANGING ON. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10.4%ODI 10159941I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DEC. 1998, AND A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. HALF OF THE NUMBERS SHOW, AND IT IS DIFFERENT EVERY TIME I START THE ENGINE. I CANNOT TELL HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY VEHICLE, AND MY GAS GAUGE MOVES BACK AND FORTH FROM FULL TO EMPTY... I HAVE A RELATIVE WHO IS A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT IS A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS FAULTY. I CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT! *JB | 10.3%ODI 10161953 · 50,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC OF THE DASHBOAD WAS COMING APART AND VERY LOOSE. THIS ISSUE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSEN. ONCE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A GOOD SIZE CHUNK OF THE DASHBOARD CAME OFF.*AK | 10.4%ODI 10194886I BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVILIER ON JANUARY 2007 USED AT 71,000 MILES IN MARCH MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS, NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN NEAR MY HOME, AND I REALIZED THE GAUGE WAS READING WRONG. I HAD TO USE THE TRIP SETTING TO ENSURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND SPENT $500 ON A NEW FUEL PUMP , THE MAN SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PUMP WAS OUT AND THE WIRES WERE DAMAGED. NOW, I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ODOMETER THAT SEEMS TO BE SCRAMBLING UNLESS I PUSH ON THE COVER, I… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 314.6%ODI 10208892 · 99,000 miTHE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IT CAN SAY THAT I AM GOING 90 WHEN I AM GOING ONLY 35 ALSO THE HEAT GAUGE NEXT TO IT WILL GO WAY OVER INTO THE SPEEDOMETER AREA WHICH THEN THEY HIT EACH OTHER WHICH CAUSES THEM TO NOT WORK PROPERLY ALSO THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT EITHER WHEN I GET LOW ENOUGH FOR THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT TO COME ON IT WILL START GOING UP SAYING THAT I HAVE A HALF TANK OF GAS EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THAT I DO NOT. *TR | 6720.3% | 6924.0%ODI 10212702 · 60,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME ERRATIC AND THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE AND REPAIR WERE HER RESPONSIBILITY. SHE PAID $346.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield | Too few reports for a range | 82,435 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10065819 · 64,870 miWINDSHIELD BONDING DOES NOT MEET FMVSS 212, 1988, CHEVROLET CAVALIER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO: 88V121000. *AK ODI 10141367 · 100,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS WIND BLOWING AROUND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANTS, ALLOWING COLD DRAFTS TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL 88V121000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2004: 82 complaints · 2005: 42 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 26 | 52 | 82 |
| 2005 | 15 | 27 | 42 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 323 | 1 | 6 |
| 2005 | 284 | 0 | 3 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Visibility:Windshield | Electrical System | Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | Seat Belts:Front | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.