Page 7 of 11 · complaints 301–350 of 540

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →

Air Bags2 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2000TX

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN BRAKING DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK UP AHEAD, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HER, SO SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED INJURYING BOTH PEOPLE, AND IT WAS AFTER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, CONSUMER IS STILL SUFFERING FROM INJURIES, THE DAY AFTER ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 98V146, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 2000OH

PCM WAS PART OF A RECALL. HAD REPLACED BUT CAR STILL ATTEMPTS TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED OUT BUT THEY STILL CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE PCM WAS REPLACED. *AK

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Oct 29, 2000MO

I WAS INVOLED IN A 3 CAR CRASH. ONE OF THE CARS HIT A VEHICLE BROADSIDE AND THEN BOUNCED OFF HER AND HIT THE REAR LEFT PANEL AND BUMPER OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE AFTER THE ACCIDENT I EXPERIENCED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK AND VIBRATIONS WHEN I TRAVEL MORE THAN 50 MPH. THE DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD FIXED THE BODY DAMAGE BUT NOTICED MY REAR AXLE WAS BENT. HE WAS WAITING ON AAA TO CALL TO OK IT GETTING FIXED. WELL, THEY NEVER STOPPED BY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BECUASE LOOKING AT THE BODY DAMAGE THEY SAID THERE WAS NO WAY IT COULD HAVE CASUED A BENT REAR AXLE. HE SAID THEY ONLY WAY I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A BENT AXLE WAS FROM A DIRECT HIT TO THE TIRE OR GONE OFF THE ROAD. THE MAN DRIVING HIT ME AT LEAST 35 MPH RIGHT THERE AT MY TIRE BUT FROM THE LOOKS OF IT I CAN'T TELL IF HE HIT THE TIRE. THE INS GUY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY THERE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND I JUST DIDN'T NOTICE IT. WHAT EVER! MY ALIGNMENT WAS JUST FINE AND THE WEAR ON MY TIRES WAS FROM NORMAL WEAR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE WAY IT VIBRATES DOESN'T "JUST HAPPEN". I AM SURE HE IS TRYING TO INSINUATE THAT I HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH REAR, SIDE CRASHES. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY CAVALIERS DON'T WITHSTAND WELL COLLISIONS FROM THE REAR AND SIDE. THE INSURANCE CO IS DECLINING TO PAY THIS PROBLEM AND IS TELLING ME TO MAKE OUT ANOTHER CLAIM FOR THE BENT REAR AXLE. THAT IS STUPID. I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM TILL AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
Filed Oct 21, 2000MO

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. THEREAFTER VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL, VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIRS. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BOTTOM BEARING FELL OUT. *AK THE REASON FOR BEARING FALLING OUT WAS DUE TO SLOPPY ASSEMBLY BY THE MANUFACTURER. THAT IS THE BEARING WAS NOT PRESSED INTO PLACE. *YH

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 16, 2000KY

VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND WILL NOT STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

Structure
Filed Oct 13, 2000WI

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO RODENTS ACCESSING THE AIR CONDITIONING /HEATING SYSTEM, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM DUE TO NESTING AND DEAD RODENTS, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE AND PREVENTED THE AIR CONDITIONER FROM FUNCTIONING, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE STRUCTURE OR VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PASSAGE TO THE INTERIOR SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE. *MJS

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 2, 2000IL

REAR WINDOW DISLODGED & FLEW OUT OF THE BACK WHILE DRIVING 45MPH. ADHESIVE HAD MELTED FROM THE HEAT & MADE THE REAR WINDOW LOOSE. HAVE TAKEN PICTURES. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Sep 29, 2000IN

CONSUMER HAD A COMPUTER CHIP REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DEALER BELIEVES IT'S SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BUT IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO SEND A PART AWAY TO BE SERVICED. . *ET

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 28, 2000KS

MY CAR HAS NOT STARTED 4 TIMES. I KEEP IT MANTAINED AS SCHEDUALED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I BROUGHT IT FROM, BUT THEY HAVE CHARGED ME TO MUCH MONEY AND ALWAYS TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. IF SOMEONE JUMPS MY CAR IT WORKS FINE, BUT I HAVE TO JUMPSTART IT IN ORDER TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. WHAT COULD BE WRONG?*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2000IN

MS. WELCH'S WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER BACK AND FORTH AND CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL. THEN, BEFORE ANY CRASH BOTH AIRBAGS PREMATURELY DEPLOYED. SHE HAS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND IS UNABLE TO WORK. PETER ONG OF THE USDOT WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THIS CRASH. *AK

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2000TX

THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY THE AIR BAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT, THE DEPLOYMENT BURNED BOTH OF THE DRIVERS UPPER ARMS AND FOREARMS, CUT AND BRUISED THE CHIN, BROKE ONE TOOTH AND LOOSED PORCELAIN BRIDGE, DAMAGED ESOPHAGUS AND DAMAGED STERNUM, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE FACE AND DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT EARDRUM, THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER RECIEVED RECALL 98V-146 FOR INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT . NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Sep 25, 2000MD

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE A STRONG ODOR ENTERS PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, FOLLOWING EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Sep 24, 2000TX

ERRATIC POPPING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK RACK AND PINION HOUSING WAS POPPING AND FREEZING UP, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE IT. *YH

Suspension › FrontCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Sep 12, 2000CA

WHEN DRIVING 80-85 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY DRIFTED TO LEFT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER FOUR TIMES, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER SIDE OCCUPANT, AND KILLING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 4, 2000TX

VEHICLE INVOVLED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED; BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. DEALER/MFR'S NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

Tires
Filed Sep 2, 2000GA

WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR LAST YEAR ;THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY PUT NEW TIRES ON MY CAR,BUT WHEN IT RAINED MY CAR TIRES WOULD SLIDE IN PUDDLES OF WATER;I WAS FRANTIC.MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WAS SCREAMING AND HOWLING BECAUSE WE ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT.SO I STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL I PURCHASED NEW TIRES.I BOUGHT TIRES FROM WAL MART AUTOMOTIVE [THAT WAS IN DECEMBER]BUT IN FEBURARY I EXPERICENCED THE SAME PROBLEM EXCEPT THESE TIRES SPLITTED OPEN AND I PURCHASED TWO MORE TIRES FROM WALMART AND THE GUY THAT CHANGED MY TIRE SAID IT'S NOT AWANNDER IF I DIDN'T KILL MYSELF....BUT HE TOLD ME THAT FIRESTONE WAS RECALLING THESE TIRES AND TOLD ME ABOUT IT.SO WHAT CAN I DO NOW I HAVE THE TIRES AT HOMEO

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 20, 2000TX

WHEN DRIVING ON ANY SORT OF BUMPY ROAD THERE IS A CONSTANT 'SQUEAK, RUSTY SOUND' IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A OLD SQUEAKY BED. ALSO WITH BACKING UP A LOUD LONG SQUEAK COMES FROM THE FRONT END SUPSPENSION. I'VE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AND PADS REPLACED TWICE (DUE TO MECHANICS NEGLIGENCE). AT THIS SAME TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. IT'S A VERY ANNOYING SOUND ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING, YOU THINK EVERYONE AROUND CAN HEAR IT AND ALSO IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL APART FROM THE FRONT END (?) SUSPENSION!

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 30, 2000CA

THE ENGINE HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY OR RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, AND BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOMLY MAY LEAD TO SUBSTANTIAL INJURY IF THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 29, 2000NC

MY CONCERN IS THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD AND WE ARE CONTINUEING TO HAVE PROBLEMS OCCUR, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER HAS A SHORT IN IT AS WELL. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 28, 2000VA

BRAKES LOCK WHEN STOPPING RELEASE AND STOP RELEASE AND FINALLY STOP. DISTANCE TRAVELED UNTIL COMPLETE STOP IS ABOUT 10 TO 12 FEET. MY DAUGHTER HAS A 97 CAVALIER AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND MUST BE FIXED. THE DEALER PERSON SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL ADS ENGAGEMENT. BUT THAT DOESN'T PREVENT A CRASH. HE SAID THAT WHEN ONE WHEEL IS NOT ON THE SAME SURFACE AS THE OTHER A DIFFERENT SIGNAL IS SENT TO EACH WHEEL AND THUS THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING AND RELEASING BRAKES. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH ANTI LOCK BREAKS THAT ARE PLACING DRIVERS IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION. LUCKY FOR ME THERE WERE NOT VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE BRAKES ACTED AS THEY DID. OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO BOTH OF US. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jul 26, 2000AR

SHORT IN THE DASH AND UNABLE TO FIND. *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 23, 2000NC

1). WHEEL BEARINGS WEARING OUT THEN TIRES AND WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT CANT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH OR CAR WILL SPIN AROUND IN ROAD . BACK LEFT BRAKE LIGHT ALWAYS NOT WORKING. ENGINE WITH ONLY 12,000.00 MILES KNOCK BAD UNTILL WARMED UP AND SOME TIMES DONT STOP WHEN WARM.IGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCK UP AND CANT GET CAR TO CRANK MUST WIGGLE AND GIGGLE TO GET IT TO WORK.HORN HAS NOT WORKED SINCE BOUGHT CAR.TRANSMISSION CLATTERS WHEN TRYING TO GIVE TO MUCH GAS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 16, 2000VA

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS/VALVE COVERS ON VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 30,000 MILES. VEHICLE'S WARRANTY IS UP DUE TO A PURCHASE DATE OF SEP96. PLEASE ADVISE ON ANY RECALL INFORMATION. I WAS TOLD THIS IS COMON WITH CAVALIERS. *AK

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Jul 7, 2000VT

REAR MOUNT BECOMES LOOSE COULD BREAK AND CAUSE ACCIDENT.WE CAUGHT OURS IN TIME. *AK

Seats
Filed Jun 30, 2000WI

WHILE MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP REAR FOLDING SEAT CAME OUT OF THE METAL BRACKETS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1 injured
Filed Jun 30, 2000CA

WHILE ON VACATION CONSUMER WAS LOADING LUGGAGE IN REAR RIGHT DOOR, AND DOOR SHUT ON CONSUMER'S FINGER. DOOR WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM OUTSIDE, IT TOOK THREE PEOPLE TOOK GET CONSUMER'S HAND OUT, CONSUMER FELT DOOR LATCH HAD A DEFECT. IT WAS A RENTAL CAR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 19, 2000WI

COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 25 MPH ON 3 SEPARATE OCCURRENCES. EACH OCCURRENCE WAS 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTER A OIL CHANGE AND "TOPPING OFF FLUIDS" AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AFTER EACH OIL CHANGE, THE SMELL OF HOT OIL WAS PREVALENT THE NEXT DAY. AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE SHUT DOWN OCCURENCE, THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN ON JAN 12, 1999, APR 12, 1999, AND JUNE 12, 2000. OIL CHANGES TOOK PLACE 3 DAYS BEFORE EACH OCCURRENCE. THE ENGINE HAS NEVER SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RECENT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN HAVE ALL BEEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 5, 2000OH

WHILE DRIVING ALL SIGNAL LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ENGINE LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO STEERING, AND FINALLY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ONC EBEFORE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2000IN

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, INCLUDING HEAD GASKETS, WATER PUMP AND OTHER THINGS WERE REPLACED. EACH TIME I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK, IT STILL MAKES A "TICKING NOISE" THAT MAKES MY CAR SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. MY CAR IS NOT A DIESEL!!! I AM UNSURE WHAT TO DO NOW THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME. ALL THE TIMES IT WAS IN FOR REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL SMALL ENGINE CARS WILL MAKE THAT NOISE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 9, 2000OK

LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM ENGINE. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT PISTON IS ROCKING IN CYLINDER, AND THAT GM CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THAT EXTRA WARRANTY WONT COVER.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 20, 2000FL

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND LOSE POWER. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RETURNS. . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 19, 2000PA

EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES AND STAYS ON. YH

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed Apr 7, 2000OK

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE DATE THAT IT WAS PURCHASED. THE BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT WILL STOP FOR A WHILE, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN WITH TIME. THE ABS LIGHT AND LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF FOR OVER AND YEAR AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED, THE SOUND FROM THE EXHAUST, POSSIBLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR AND AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO REPLACE IT, THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN ENGINE IS SOUNDING MORE AWFUL AS TIME GOES ON...LOTS OF NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ESPECIALLY AT CRUSING SPEED, AND THEN AGAIN WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, AND MORE RECENTLY EVEN WHEN IDLING. NOT ONLY WAS THIS CAR NOT SERVICED PROPERLY WHEN I WOULD BRING IT IN WITH A COMPLAINT, BUT I FEEL AS IF THE DEALERS WERE PURPOSELY PUTTING ME OFF JUST SO THE WARRANTY WOULD RUN OUT AND I WOULD HAVE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS MYSELF. OBVIOUSLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ON THAT HAS HAD SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. AND ALSO, THE CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, BUT CANT SEEM TO FIND THE LEAK. DEFINITELY CAN SMELL THE BURNING ANTIFREEZE, ESPECIALLY AFTER AN EXTENDED TRIP. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Apr 2, 2000PA

IN JUL7 OF 1999, THE ETS OFF LIGHT AND THEENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAID THE COMPUTER SHOWED DUE TO EMISSION REGULATIONS, THE EGR VALVE NEEDED REPLACED. REPLACED THE VALVE, A MONTH LATER THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE SYSTEM WAS VERY SENSITIVE, BUT THE EGR WAS FINE AND JUST RESET THE LIGHTLS. LAST WEEK THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, THE EGR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR STARTED JERKING FIERCELY AND THE TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS SYSTEM AND WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A COMPUTER DEFECT, A VALVE DEFECT OR WHAT. BUT IT'S NOT SAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE THAT CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF THE TRACTION SYSTEM DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND CAUSES THE CAR TO JEK WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Mar 29, 2000VA

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS. I HAD IT FIXED ON 08/10/1998. I RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR THE CALIBRATION IN THE AIR BAGS COMPUTER IN OCT 98. I TOOK MY CAR TO BAY CHEVROLET (6970 N. MILITARY HWY. NORFOLK, VA 23518)(757-855-2261) ON 08/22/1998. THE MILEAGE AT THIS TIME WAS 31,491. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SDM AND REPLACED THE HORN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME. I CALLED THEM BACK IN NOV 99 WHEN PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND TO HAVE IT FIXED WOULD HAVE COST ME $600+ DOLLARS. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE, SINCE PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 20, 2000GA

AT ANY TIME WHEN VEHICLE WOULD SIT OVER NIGHT IN RAIN, THE NEXT DAY WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. HAS YET OT BE REPAIRED. *AK *ML

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 11, 2000NJ

WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOSING THE POWER STEERING FOR OVER TWO YEARS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THE CAR STALLED AND THEN REGAINED THE MOTOR AS THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THIS PROBLEMS HAS HAPPENED TO FOUR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY AND WE NEVER PUT IT TOGETHER UNTIL RECENTLY WE HAD OUR LOCAL DEALER INSPECT THE SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD " IT COULDN'T HAPPEN " WHEN I FOUND NHTSA ON LINE, I NOW BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT BEING HONEST. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Mar 10, 2000MO

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE IMPACT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Feb 22, 2000KS

WAS TRAVELING 70MPH WHEN SUDDENL/FOR NO REASON, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER, A RECALL WAS ON VEHICLE. AN INSPECTOR CHECKED VEHICLE & TO DECIPHER CODE ON VEHICLE. FINALLY NO RECALL. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 14, 2000VA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH VEHICLE HIT A DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Feb 12, 2000CA

THE ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM THE POSITIVE SIDE TERMINAL. THIS IS A RISK FOR A CHEMICAL BURN AND CORROSION TO THE CHASSIS. THIS IS MY THIRD NEW GM CAR THAT HAD THE ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERY LEAK OUT THE SIDE POSITIVE TERMINAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FACTORY ORIGINAL DELCO BATTERIES. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITH A 91 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE, THE SECOND WAS WITH A 93 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 DUALLY TRUCK. I BELIEVE DELCO BATTERIES HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT IS ONGOING. GM DELCO DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE FIXED THE DESIGN FLAW. THESE THREE BATTERIES LEAKED WHEN THEY WERE THREE YEARS OLD. I SOLD THE 91 CADILLAC AND BOUGHT A 99 CADILLAC. I DON'T TRUST THE BATTERY AND PLAN TO PULL THE BATTERY AT 24 MONTHS BEFORE IT LEAKS ACID. I WILL NEVER BUY A DELCO REPLACEMENT. I STILL HAVE THE CAVILIER BATTERY SITTING IN A PUDDLE OF ACID IN THE GARAGE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A PICTURE OR IF SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SEE IT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 23, 2000MI

HORN: HAS NEVER WORKED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS RECEIVED. HAVE HAD THE DEALER FIX IT 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. HEATER FAN: FAILED DURING THE WINTER OF 1997. PAST WARRANTY PERIOD?? HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. ENGINE PROBLEM: STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WILL HESITATE AND JERK WHILE DRIVING IT. HAVE REPLACED: SPARK PLUG WIRES, PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHECKED. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 2 MILES. IGNITION: KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION/ REPLACED BY DEALER X 3.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2000MD

DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS LEAKS COOLANT WHICH MAY SPRAY UNTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE A FIRE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 20, 2000NY

INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. HASN'T CONTACTED DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 14, 2000IL

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 7, 2000PA

I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY CAR THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON 12/26/99 AT APPROX 55-60 MPH WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS PUSHED US INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE STOPPING WITHING 2-3 INCHES FRONT A FRONT END COLLISION. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SLID FORWARD TO THE DASHBOAD,CAUSING MY LEGS AND WRISTS TO HIT THE DASHBOARD. THIS CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS TO MY SHINS (THE WORST BEING MY RIGHT LEG), MY WRISTS WERE SPRAINED FROM DASHBOARD, NECK WHIPLASHED BOTH SIDES AND SPINAL/LOW BACK PAIN FROM PELVIS BEING PUSHED UP, CAUSING COMPRESSION ON LOWER SPINE, LOWER RIGHT ABDOMINAL PAIN WITH NAUSEA, DIARREAH AND LOW GRADE FEVERS. SAYING MAYBE APPENDIX OR MUSCULAR.I REMEMBER SLAMMING INTO DASHBOARD EVEN WITH SEATBELT ON. MY SEAT WAS COMPLETELY AGAIN THE DASH WITH EXCEPTION OF ROOM NEEDED FOR LEGS TO HIT IT.THE SEAT MUST HAVE OR I COULD HAVE PUSHED SEAT BACK AFTERIMPACT. THE SEAT IS NOW NOT MOVING AT ALL. GMC SAYS SINCE AN ADJUSTER PAID PARTIAL SETTLEMENT TO BODY SHOP THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT... I HAVE LIMITED TORT INSURANCE, 2 KIDS AND NOW NOT WORKING, AND IN NEED OF MONEY UNTIL INSURANCE PAYS ME MONTHLY WHAT I WOULD BE MAKING AT WORK. WHAT DO I DO? *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 5, 2000NJ

IN DECEMBER 1999, I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I ASSUMED THE THERMOSTAT WAS FAILING AND HAD A LOCAL SERVICE STATION REPLACE IT AND FLUSH THE RADIATOR. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. UPON INSPECTION, I HAD LOST SOME COOLANT AND EXPERIENCED THE SMELL OF HOT COOLANT WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO THE RECENT RADIATOR FLUSH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE STATION AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS PRESSURE TESTED TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AND PASSED. AFTER BEING IDLE FOR OVER 1 WEEK, ON JANUARY 3, 2000, I CHECKED THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW. I FILLED THE ENGINE COOLANT RESERVIOR TO FULL AND AFTER SHORT TRIPS THE LEVEL HAD HELD AT FULL. ON JANUARY 4, 2000, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I EXPERIENCED A ROUGH IDLE AND IN ADDITION TO THE LOW ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALSO LIT UP ON THE DASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET, EXPECTING TO HAVE THEM FINALLY RESOLVE MY PROBLEM AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY SUSPECTED MY ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND ESTIMATED THE JOB AT OVER $3400.00. I NOTEICED SERVICE BULLETIN #'S 67-62-04, 970501776109 & 970501738309 POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE REFERS TO SIMILAR DEFECTS AS THOSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IF THE ENGINE HAS A DEFECT, WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? I HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTAINANCE SCHEDULE AND FEEL FRUSTRATED THAT GM AND HAWTHOR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Dec 13, 1999NJ

POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED HIGH PRESSURE LINE FAILURE, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Dec 2, 1999GA

NO SUMMARY

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Nov 29, 1999MA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG EXPERIENCED FALSE/PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). YH MJS

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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