Page 2 of 7 · complaints 51–100 of 345

1998 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 1998 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2005OH

ON MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER MY TIMING BELT TENTION PULLEY HAS BROKEN TWICE,ALSO MY IDLER PULLEY HAS ALSO BROKEN TWICE

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 3, 2005100,049 milesMD

PATTERN OF OVERHEATING AND VEHICLE FAILURES IN 98 CAVALIERS. A SECOND CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IS NOW BEING REVIEWED RIGHT NEXT TO MINE AT FOX CHEVROLET TIMONIUM. 410-667-6666. CAR WITH 100,049 MILES OVERHEATED FOR FIRST TIME AFTER ORDINARY FLUSH AND FILL 2 DAYS PRIOR. (THE SERPENTINE BELT AND AN OIL CHANGE WERE ALSO PERFORMED FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT OF SMELLING ANTIFREEZE NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF ANY COOLING PROBLEMS) FOLLOWING THE OVERHEATING, THE CAR WAS PROMPTLY PULLED OVER WITHIN 2 MILES AND FLATBEDDED BACK TO THE SERVICE STATION. AFTER REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP (SIGNS OF LOW COOLANT FLOW - TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE UPPER AND LOWER HOSES) CAR CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. THE CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO THE DEALER: NO LEAKS OR DAMAGE WERE FOUND IN THE HEATER CORE, RADIATOR, HEAD GASKET, OR CYLINDER HEAD. DEALER CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE ARE MICRO CRACKS INSIDE THE ENGINE BECAUSE ENGINE GASES ARE MIXING WITH THE ANTIFREEZE, ALTHOUGH OIL IS NOT ENTERING THE COOLING SYSTEM. DEALER INSISTS ONLY POSSIBLE REPAIR IS AN ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 16, 200585,000 milesTN

DT: CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. AT ANY SPEED, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, ABS KICKS ON AND DOES NOT CATCH, BUT STARTS TO JOLT. BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS TO CATCH/RELEASE OVER AND OVER, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. ALSO CAUSES ROLLING FOWARD OR BACKWARD IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION OR UNDER ANY DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. CONSUMER HAS BARELY HAD AN ACCIDENT UP TO THIS POINT. VEHICLE HAS ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES AND CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Mar 7, 2005DC

THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM IN HER 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. *NM *SC *JB

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Feb 15, 200580,000 milesOH

WHEN THE WEATHER BEGAN TO WARM UP LAST SUMMER MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING. I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND MY ENGINE WOULD TURN AND TURN BUT NOT FIRE CORRECTLY. AFTER A FEW TRIES, IT WOULD FINALLY START UP. I DIDN'T THINK ANY THING OF THIS PROBLEM AT FIRST, BUT AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED MISFIRING LIKE THIS QUITE FREQENTLY AFTER THE WEATHER BEGAN TO GET REALLY WARM AND HUMID OUTSIDE AND I HAD PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN MY VEHICLE THAT DAY. I HAVE HAD ALL THE RECALLS FIXED ON MY CAR, INCLUDING THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THIS PROBLEM WITH STARTING MY CAR STILL PERSISTED. ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND IT DIDN'T START AT ALL AND IT ENDED UP MY BATTERY HAD DIED AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEM, BUT I'M SURE THE ROUGH STARTS WERE NOT GOOD ON MY BATTERY EITHER. I FINALLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AFTER I HAD THEM INSTALL A NEW BATTERY AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOT SUPRISINGLY, THE DAY AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK, IT STARTED ROUGH AGAIN. I BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE MANUALS THAT HELPS YOU IDENTIFY AND CORRECT AUTOMOBILE PROBLEMS YOURSELF, SO I HAVE REPLACED COOLANT SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, AND FLUIDS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 2005 AND THE WEATHER IS COOLER OUTSIDE AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS THUS FAR. I'M AFRAID WHEN IT STARTS TO GET WARMER OUTSIDE, THOUGH, THAT I'LL BEGIN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. IS THERE ANY HELP THAT

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Feb 7, 2005PA

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP.... THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK... THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND THE BRAKES CAN LOCK UP AND SEVERE CONDITIONS, ON GRAVEL, OR ON EXTREMELY HARD STOPS....*JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Jan 18, 2005TX

THE VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILED AND WAS REPLACED TWICE. *NM *SC *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 6, 2005NC

WHILE SLOWING FROM A SPEED OF 45 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM THE CONSUMER TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS THE AIR BAG WAS BLOCKING HER VIEW. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN A DITCH. TWO WITNESSES ASSISTED THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION UNTIL THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TC

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 23, 200465,683 milesOH

RECALL 04V036000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO DO RECALL REPAIRS AGAIN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 8, 2004TX

CHEY CAVALIER HAS ABS LIGHT ON FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. ALSO IT HAS FAIL MANY TIMES I CALLED THE COMPANY FOR ANSWERS BUT NO ONE HAS HELP. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 30, 2004NY

NHTSA RECALL 04V036000 ON THE IGNITION SWITCH . AFTER HAVING THE RELAY KIT REPLACED,THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD A REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS FAULTY. *TC

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 29, 2004NH

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. IN FACT, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE FIRST STARTED THE CAR, AND AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKES WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, OR COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. MY BRAKES CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR, AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE CAR TO GO BACK TO NORMAL IS TO PUT IT IN PARK ONCE I HAVE STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY I HEAR THE ENGINE STOP REVVING, AND THEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT'S WORKING NORMALLY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 17, 200436,813 milesNC

THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK. NO COLLISION PRIOR TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, SLOWED TO STOP, APPROXIMATELY FROM STOP SIGN. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO A DITCH. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Nov 7, 200498,900 milesNY

STEERING: RACK AND PINION. AT TIMES WHEN I COME TO A STOP I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL EITHER WAY IT'S TO HARD TO TURN. I WENT TO A GARAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION IS GOING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME FOUR TIMES SO FAR. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Nov 3, 2004NY

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 2, 2004NC

THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT WARNING, ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE DRIVER HEAD ON AT THE INTERSECTION. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD A NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 200432,000 milesWA

I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL 6 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. THE HOUSING, THE SOCKET, AND NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. TODAY MY REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT AND UPON INSPECTION THE BULB HAD MELTED IN THE SOCKET. THIS IS POSING A HAZARD TO ME. NO BRAKE LIGHTS, OR TURN SIGNALS IN THE REAR. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 26, 2004VI

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 2004MD

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, I HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YRS, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE NEXT MONTH THE COILS BURN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. I STILL HAVE A CAR NOTE AND MY CAR STILL ISN'T RUNNING, I CAN'T TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE MARKET VALUE IS LOW AND MY NEGATIVE EQUITY IS TOO HIGH. I HAVE PUT ALMOST $6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS IN MY CAR AND STILL OWE $5,000.00, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY CREDIT IS BAD BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LATE ON MY CAR NOTE TRYING TO GET THE CAR FIX EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS REAL BAD, THE CORDS BURN OUT TWCE, I HAD EVERY CINSOR IN MY CAR REPLACE, I HAD TWO NEW BATTERIES IN THE LAST YEAR. EVERYTHING UNDER MY HOOD IS ALMOST BRAND NEW AND MY CAR JUST BROKE DOWN AGAIN, AND I JUST GOT IT OUT THE SHOP 1 MONTH AGO. I NEED HELP IN REGARDS TO THIS SITUATION.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Oct 18, 2004NY

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AT TIMES SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED IT HAPPENED EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT IT WAS A CONCERN: SHE SAID SHE LOOKED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL. (RECALL # 02V286000 AND CAMPAIGN # 02049) SHE SAYS WHEN SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS GOING BAD. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Sep 15, 2004NY

04 V 036 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 14, 200481,037 milesWI

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL INTERMITTENTLY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE .*AK

Structure
Filed Sep 14, 200489,000 milesLA

THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED CRACKS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATES THE DASH MATERIAL NEEDS BE TO REPLACED. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Aug 12, 2004130,000 milesTN

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE EFFORT. *NM

Steering
Filed Aug 12, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND WHEN MAKING A TURN. PLEASE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DETAILS. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 28, 2004TX

PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FAILURE. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STARTING PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN RECALL# 04V036000. THE CONSUMER WOULD PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURN THE KEY TO THE START POSITION AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *SC THE CONSUMER DID NOT BELIEVE THE RECALL WAS EVER PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT PROBLEMS. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 14, 2004MD

RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL# 04V036000. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER AND BATTERY. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAD A SHORT SERVICE SPAN IN THIS MAKE/MODEL. *SC THE CONSUMERS BILL TOTALED OVER SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS, BUT WAS SENT A CHECK FOR 136.62 FOR THE PART WHICH PERTAINED TO THE RECALL. *JB

Service Brakes, Air › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Jul 7, 200435,738 milesCT

BRAKE LINING RUSTED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO INSISTED THERE WAS NOT MUCH THEY COULD DO, AND CONSUMER SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jun 22, 200442,000 milesCA

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OFF. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 16, 2004GA

WHILE TURNING RIGHT CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 14, 2004130,000 milesNM

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET HOME, THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ALSO ILLUMINATED. *SC THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO TELL THE CONSUMER THAT THEY DID THEIR PART AND ANYTHING FURTHER WOULD COST THE CONSUMER. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 14, 200431 milesNY

VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A DIP STICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE BROUGHT TO THEM IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE CHECKED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE THE DEALER WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 3, 200460,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed May 21, 2004FL

WHILE UNDER SLOW ACCELERATION THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS MISFIRING OR HESITATING. THE CAR JERKS REPETITIVELY. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP NO CODES WHERE DETECTED. *AK

Structure
Filed May 17, 2004PA

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRIM AROUND THE DASHBOARD AND RADIO CRACKED AND PEELED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR IF HE HIT SOMETHING, IN ADDITION TO THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, PIECES OF THIS PLASTIC WOULD COME OFF, INJURING OR HARMING HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. *AK *SC *JB

Equipment
Filed May 16, 2004IN

IN AUGUST OF 2002 I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT ANTI-LOCK SENSOR FOR MY 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER REPLACED. WITHIN NINE MONTHS, MAY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2004 AND MY DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE SAME SENSOR REPLACED. MY THINKING IS THAT THEY SHOULD OF FOUND SOMETHING AFTER THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. SINCE THE 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IS DONE I HAVE TO RELY ON THE PARTS WARRANTY, WHICH DOES NOT HELP ME IF I HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVERY YEAR. THREE SAME EXACT SENSORS REPLACED LESS THAT TWO YEARS IS SENSELESS. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 15, 2004MD

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH. *MR RECALL#04V036000. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER AND BATTERY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SC

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Apr 29, 200439,040 milesNY

WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE (TYPE OF RECALL REPAIR WASN'T STATED). WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ASKED THE MECHANIC WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND THOUGHT THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BELT FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER. CONSUMER DECIDED TO HAVE IT CONSULTED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC BY (PRESUMABLY) A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER. AS THE DRIVER WAS ABOUT TO RESUME COMING FROM A STOP SIGN, STEERING RACK AND PINION MECHANISM FELL WHICH ALSO LED TO STEERING LOCK-UP. THE STEERING FAILURE RESULTED THE DRIVER TO OVER TURN VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. POLICE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BOLT FROM THE FALLEN MECHANISM WAS MISSING. *LA

Steering › Column
Filed Apr 24, 200476,968 milesGA

I HAVE HAD MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS NOW; IN FEB. 2003 I HAD TO PAY 321.25 TO HAVE AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN MY CAR (WHICH WAS AN RECALL ISSUE); I ASKED MARTIN BURKS CHEVROLET ON FOREST PARK PARKWAY IN FOREST PARK, GA IF THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND BOB ALLEN, THE AUTO PART SERVICE MANAGER LIED TO ME AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE, SO I PAID $321.25 FOR REPAIR SERVICE TO FIND OUT A YEAR LATER THAT THE IGNITION SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ISSUE. SO I WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT CHEVROLET HAS AUTO REPAIR SERVICE CENTERS WITH WORKERS THAT LIES TO CONSUMERS JUST TO TAKE THEIR MONEY. AT THIS PRESENT TIME, MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WILL NOT START BECAUSE SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE FUEL FROM REACH THE MOTOR/ENGINE (WHICH IS ANOTHER RECALL PROBLEM) BUT NOT ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER; MY WHEELS FEELS AS IF THEY ARE WOBBLING SOMETIMES; AND MY STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN I TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT. BY PUTTING IN THE VIN NUMBER, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN FOUR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE RECALL, SOMEONE IS AGAIN LYING AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE CARFAX REPORT. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTIES ON THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THAN THEY DO BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLES ARE LEARNED TO BE DEFECTIVE BEFORE A LIFETIME OF 5 YEARS IS UP (PRE YEARS LIFESPAN) FOR ANY VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PURCHASE THE WARRANTIES, BUT GMPP (GENERAL MOTORS PR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 200440,178 milesMD

ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE CAME OUT THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS ALONG WITH REIMBURSEMENT FOR OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED. *NM

Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (asc)
Filed Apr 16, 200424,800 milesCA

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. IT COMES ON AND IT STAYS ON. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 15, 2004IL

DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE OF A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER REGARDING RECALL REPAIR 04002. *PH *MR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Apr 6, 200444,452 milesIL

AS LISTED IN THE MAY 2004 C.R. THE RECALLS ON THE CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO, AND MALIBU 97-98 ON REPLACING THE PINION BEARING IN POWER-STEERING GEAR COULD SEPARATE AND ALLOW PINION SHAFT TO MOVE. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, WHEREAS I COULD BARELY TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WHILE TURNING. MY RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. WHY IS THIS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR RECALL LISTINGS. *LA

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Apr 5, 2004SC

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (02-V-286-000) FOR REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION BEARING. THE DEALERSHIP THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS THE SERVICE MANAGER (RICK JACKSON). *NM

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 22, 2004AZ

NHTSA 04V036000\ IGNITION \SWITCH. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR RAN AND REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER TO GET THE REMEDY DONE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 15, 200467,000 milesGA

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT TO PULL OUT OF A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING POP AND IT SUDDENLY FELT AS IF MY CAR HAD LOST ALL POWER STEERING. ONE MONTH LATER I HEARD OF RACK AND PINION STEERING RECALL ON 1998 CAVALIERS WHICH IS WHAT I DRIVE AND MY CAR HAD ALL OF THE EFFECTS OF WHAT WERE LISTED. AFTER TAKING MY CAR INTO A CHEVY DEALER, I WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT FIT THE RECALL AND THAT I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. I ASKED IF THEY HAD CHECKED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THEY SAID YES THAT THERE WAS PLENTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 1200 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I DECLINED THEIR SERVICES TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND LATER HAD MY UNCLE WHO IS AN AIRPLACE MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION I WAS JUST VERY VERY LOW ON FLUID. MY TRANSMISSION IS PERFECT NOW AND HE AGREES THAT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SEEING AS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAS BROKEN. REPEATEDLY I HAVE CALLED GM TO NO AVAIL ON WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, AND I FEEL VERY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE CHEVY DEALER OUTZ CHEVROLET FOR NOT BEING HONEST WITH ME ABOUT MY CAR.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 9, 200480,000 milesTX

THE RACK AND PINION ON MY CAR FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING IT. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE LOWER PINION SEPERATION AS OF JAN. 2003, IT ONLY SEEMS TO COVER A CERTAIN RANGE OF VIN #'S FOR THIS MAKE. MY MECHANIC CALLED IN JAN. OF '03, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION ON IT. I GUESS UNTIL A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN, AND THERE ARE NO INJURIES, THE MANUFACTURERE DOES NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I HAVE 3 YOUNG KIDS, AND I CAN NOT WAIT FOR A FATALITY FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Feb 12, 2004102,000 milesAZ

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SAW BLUE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Feb 6, 200456,900 milesOK

WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION STEERING IS LOCKED AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. TRYING TO TURN STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT BUDGE IT. CAR IS IMOBILE AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NO SURE WAY TO TELL WHEN IT WILL OCCUR.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 4, 2004MN

ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHILE MERGING ON TO FREEWAY. VEHICLE KEPT GOING FASTER. TRIED PUMPING ACCELERATOR, NOTHING HAPPENED. TRIED BRAKING, BUT CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. PUT LEFT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND USED RIGHT FOOT TO TRY TO LOOSEN THE ACCELERATOR BY STOMPING ON IT. NO LUCK. BY THEN, I WAS APPROACHING VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME AT VERY HIGH SPEED (I WOULD GUESS AT LEAST 70 MPH.). BOTH LANES WERE FULL, SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO SWITCH LANES. IN DESPERATION, I SHIFTED TO REVERSE TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AS THE VEHICLE COASTED. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AS THE VEHICLE COASTED. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED, THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I STOMPED ON IT A FEW TIMES, AND IT BROKE LOOSE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. *AK

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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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