Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 196

2002 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 2002 record →

Suspension
Filed Oct 19, 2004NJ

DEFECT IN 2002 CAVALIER ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM [ETS}. *BF *NM

Electrical System
Filed Oct 15, 200439,517 milesNJ

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY, OTHER VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY EXCEEDING SPEED OF 50 MPH. *BF THE CONSUMER IS SUING TURNERVILLE AUTO COMPLEX FOR REPAIRS MADE TO AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DEFECT IN THE ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM OR ETS SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. *TC

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 8, 2004CT

HARD START/NO CRANK REGARDING IGNITION. BURNING SMELL.......FROM ENGINE..2002 CHEVY CAVALIER. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Sep 17, 200450,000 milesIL

CONSUMER STATED FUEL FILLER NECK DEVELOPED A BLOCKAGE. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO FILL HE VEHICLE FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 14, 2004FL

THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART,BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Seats › Mid/Rear AssemblyCrash3 injured
Filed Aug 3, 2004TX

THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISIN IN WHICH ANOTHER VEHICLE HYDROPLANED HEAD-ON AND THEN ONTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THIS 4 DOOR CHEVROLET CAVALIER. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HER BOOSTER SEAT THAT WAS ANCHORED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT. THE UPRIGHT PART OF THE BACK SEAT WAS DETACHED FROM THE BRACKET WHICH ALLOWED ALL THE LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK TO COME FORWARD. THIS THEN PUSHED THE BOOSTER SEAT TO THE SIDE WITH ALL THE LUGGAGE UP AGAINST HER.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 21, 200442,000 milesNY

WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE IN MOTION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 19, 2004NM

WHEN DRIVING, CAN SMELL COOLANT AND SEE GREASY FILM ON WINDSHIELD. WHICH MAKES ALL OCCUPANTS THIRSTY. (THIS WAS EVEN BEFORE IT HIT MORE THAN A HUNDRED MILES) OVERFLOW COMPARTMENT FOR COOLANT STARTED OVERFLOWING AND LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEEPS MOVING AROUND, AND STAYS ABOVE NORMAL MOST OF THE TIME. WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST DIED OUT ON ME, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND MOVED OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY. WITH ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHOP BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE HEAT SENSOR WAS OUT AS WELL AS THE THERMOSTAT. THE GAUGE CONTINUED TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. I HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS WAS ALL IN THE COURSE OF THREE MONTHS. *JB

Seat Belts › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 5, 200417,000 milesMN

DRIVERS SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO ENGAGE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 4, 2004OH

CONSUMER PURCHASED A VEHICLE FOR DAUGHTER, AND VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL MAJOR PROBLEMS. VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND HAD A NEW THERMOSTAT AND FUEL FILTER REPLACED. WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IT ACTED AS IF DID NOT WANT TO START. VEHICLE WAS JUST NOT FIRING CORRECTLY BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO START. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK THE VEHICLE BECAME EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO START AND THE COOLANT AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES WERE ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED IT WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL BUT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING OTHER THAN COOLANT WAS IN THE TANK. THE OIL WAS CHECKED AND LOOKED LIKE BROWN MERKY LIQUID. *NM

Structure › Body › Door
Filed May 31, 2004TN

DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILS TO CLOSE PROPERLY. AIR LEAKAGE AROUND DOOR FRAME. CAR DOOR DO NOT PROPERLY LINED UP. NOTICE THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I RENTED A 2004 MODEL OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 10, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Apr 8, 200446,000 milesIL

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES STEERING BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. AS RESULT, VEHICLE SLED INTO A POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE DAMAGE. ALSO, DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

Child Seat
Filed Apr 7, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SHIELD FOR THE CSS WAS COMING APART. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Mar 17, 200429,700 milesVA

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES ENGINE WILL START RACING, AND VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. DRIVER HAS TO SHUT DOWN ENGINE TO STOP IT FROM RACING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 5, 2004IL

I HAVE ALREADY REPORTED A COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS AND HAVE A FILE #. I WARNED THEM AND EXPERIENCED MYSELF THAT THE ABS WERE DANGEROUS AND I WAS EXPOSED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES FREEZING AND SKIDDING WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR PATCH OF ICE. THE BRAKES SKID AND DO NOT STOP. THIS COMPLAINT WAS PUT IN OVER SIX MONTHS AGO. NOW MY DAUGHTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT THE BRAKES SKIDDING AND NOT STOPPING. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 28, 2004IA

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEARS MECHANIC SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AND CRACKED IN HALF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP DOWN HALF SHAFT. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 20049,677 milesMA

BOUGHT THE CAR ON 5/27/02. SINCE THEN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED IN MARCH 2003, THE DEALERSHIP REALIZED IT WAS A PROBLEM ONLY IN MAY 2003. THE STEERING GRINDS METAL ON METAL WHEN DRIVING----THE HORN DIED 2 TIMES, THEIR WAS AND STILL IS A PULSATION IN THE BRAKES--A RATTLING IN THE SUSPENSION. GM PUT OUT A PI (PRODUCT INVESTIGATION OUT ON IT)--SAID THEIR IS NO FIX, BUT STEERING PROBLEMS ARE NOT DANGEROUS, AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS HERE, W/ THE BBB AUTO-LINE, AND NHTSA AS WELL AS HIRED MY OWN PERSONAL LAWYER AS I HEARD GM FIGHTS PEOPLE TOOTH AND NAIL.

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2004IN

HAD A PROBLEM WITH STEERING, NOTICED IT BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. WHAT THEY DID WAS INSTALL RACK AND RESET ALIGNMENT. THE CAR WAS FINE AFTER THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE DEALER IS SAYING NOW IT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM, BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME KIND OF STEERING PROBLEM. AND SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVEN\\'T FIXED THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 15, 200418,329 milesMO

CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A ROTOR PROBLEM DUE TO HIS DRIVING HABIT. *LA *CB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 1, 2004WI

WAS DRIVING A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT AT 40 MPH. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME,I ENDED UP T-BONING THE 2ND VEHICLE AT 40MPH NO TIME TO HIT BRAKES, ALL FONTAL DAMAGE AND AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 13, 200310,000 milesMD

FRONT 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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 11, 20038,663 milesIN

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON. WHEN DRIVING LIGHTS TURNED OFF THEN FLICKERED. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS OPERATED POORLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK ON FOR OCCASIONS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. ANOTHER PROBLEM CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING IS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE IN USE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DURING ONE SERVICE VISIT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS PROGRAMMED. EVEN AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE VISITS VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS.*MR

Seat Belts › Front › AnchorageCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 8, 2003OH

WHILE REVERSING ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE PLASTIC COVER AT THE ANCHORAGE POINT OF THE SEAT BELT STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THE PASSENGER HAD TO GET 14 STITCHES. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Dec 2, 20034,026 milesFL

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, THEN STOPPED. HE WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED. THEN, CALLED THE DEALER/MECHANIC, WHO SENT SOMEONE TO PICK UP CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS LATER CALLED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS TOO NEW. ALSO, CONSUMER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS STILL FLOWING AT NORMAL SPEED WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY.*AK CONSUMER WAS IN THE LEFT LANE PREPARING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. LUCKILY, HE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURN ON HIS HAZARD LIGHTS. *PH

WheelsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 24, 2003VI

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEELS OF HER VEHICLE LOCKED WHICH PREVENTED HER FROM TURNING THEM. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A POLE, INJURING BOTH HER AND HER DAUGHTER. CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A SPRAINED RIGHT ARM AND A BUMP ON HER HEAD. HER DAUGHTER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER ARM AND KNEES. CONSUMER STATED SHE REPORTED THE VEHICLE'S BEHAVIOR TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC TWICE BEFORE, BUT WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO THE MECHANIC TO BE CHECKED. SHE STATED THAT EACH TIME SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED, SHE WAS TOLD TO COME BACK. SHE STATED THAT SHE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. PLEASE HELP.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 13, 20036,500 milesNY

CAR SURGES WHEN COLD, UNDER SLOW ACCELERATION. GIVES A FEELING OF HOLDING BACK, UNDER SLOW ACCELERATION. RUNS FINE WHEN WARM. FIRST 3 MINUTES THEN CLEARS UP. *LA

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Nov 12, 200350,000 miles00

THE WIRE THAT CONNECTS TO THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TOO SHORT AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY CAUSE THE AC TO KICK IN. WHEN THE AC KICKS IN THIS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. *PH

Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2003MO

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENTS ENHANCED TRACKING SYSTEM CAME ON. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Nov 5, 200320,000 milesNJ

SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A LEAK WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN VEHICLE WAS WASHED. THE LEAK WAS CAUSING THE INNER LINING OF THE ROOF TO DETERIORATE BECAUSE OF THE WATER INTAKE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 29, 2003100 milesIL

MY CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO NOT START. I SAT IN A PRKING LOT ONCE FOR 10 MINUTES TRYING TO START MY CAVALIER. IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 100 MILES ON IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DO NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I WANT THIS RESOLVED!!

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 23, 200347,000 milesGA

SHIFTER CABLE TO TRANSMISSION BROKE IN HALF

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Sep 17, 2003FL

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED PREMATURELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 17, 2003OH

CHARGED 165.00 FOR A SERVICE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 15, 2003IN

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE SHOWED PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKING SYSTEM . BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.*AK

Seats
Filed Sep 10, 2003MD

THE SPRINGS CAME OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Sep 10, 2003MD

THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Sep 10, 2003MD

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 10, 2003PA

NAR 9-10-03. SAFETY DEFECT IN 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER. ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. *CB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 9, 200325,000 milesAK

VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 37,000 WELL MAINTAINED MILES ON IT. AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES A FAINT NOISE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS ONLY NOTICED AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE DECELERATING. NOW IT IS FAINT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND VERY NOISY AT LOW SPEEDS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A TURBO-CHARGER SPINNING UP AND DOWN. MR. GOODWRENCH HAS NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE AND GM POWERTRAIN ENGINEERS SAY IT IS NORMAL. I SAY IT ISN'T. IF IT WERE NORMAL, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW WITH 200 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE 4TH J-BODY CAR I HAVE OWNED AND THE SECOND WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS NOISE. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT AND NO ONE IS LISTENING. I HAVE BEEN A VERY LOYAL GM OWNER WHO MAY WELL HAVE JUST PURCHASED HIS LAST GM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 8, 2003PA

MY ROTORS WERE FIRST CHECKED APPROXIMATELY MARCH 2003 WHEN I COMPLAINED OF THEM CAR SHAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY30,000 MILES AT THE TIME. THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE TURNED WHICH I AGREED BUT SAID IT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND I WOULD PROBABLY BE BACK. SO IN JULY 2003, AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, I RETURNED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. AT THIS TIME, THEY WERE TWO THIN TO BE "TURNED" AND I NEED NEW ONES. WHICH I HAD TO COMPLAIN IN ORDER TO GET NEW ONES BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR THEM. (SEPTEMBER 2003) A FRIEND OF MINE BOUGHT A 2003 CAVALIER WHICH THEY HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS WITH 20,000 MILES AND THEY HAD TO HAVE THEIR ROTORS TURNED ALREADY. THEY COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET THEM FIXED AT THE DEALER AND THE SAME DEALER AS MINE SAID THEY COULDN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE SHE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE BUT THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED THEM. SHE TOLD THEM THAT AS SOON AS THEY WERE SHAKING AGAIN THAT THEY WOULD BRING IT IN FOR NEW ROTORS. PLUS I HAVE HEARD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROTORS ON CAVALIERS AFTER I BOUGHT MINE CONCERNING BRAKES. THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS - RECALL!!!*AK

Suspension
Filed Sep 2, 2003ME

WHILE DRVING AT ANY SPEED OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A CRACKING NOISE, AND WOULD MOVE LEFT AND RIGHT, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 1, 200330,000 milesMD

POWER WINDOWS FAIL-THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITH ONE YEAR THAT THE POWER WINDOW HAS FAILED, ORIGINALLY THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED, HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED, NOW THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER HAS FAILED AND AT TIMES THE LEFT DRIVER'S WINDOW STOPS WORKING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 30, 200313,000 milesNC

CAR SHAKES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, TOOK THE CAR TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT. HE STATED THAT HE ROTORS USED ARE TOO THIN ,AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT HE CAN DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ROTATING THEM WILL BE ONLY A TEMPORAY SOLUTION. HIS ADVISE WAS THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND COMPLAIN.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Aug 9, 20039,677 milesMA

BOUGHT MY 2002 CHEVROLET LS SPORT CAVAILER ON 5/27/02. SINCE THEN THE RACK AND PINION WENT IN MARCH 2003--WHICH THEY DID NOT DISCOVER UNTIL MAY, AND WHEN DRIVING I GET A LOUD GRINDING NOISE STILL WHICH IS METAL ON METAL. I ASKED ANOTHER MECHANIC NOT AFFILIATED W/ THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP (THAT TOLD ME AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS THIS CAN NOT BE FIXED-AND THAT THEY HAVE A PI OUT ON IT), IF THIS COULD POSE A PROBLEM. HE SAID THE CONTINUOUS GRINDING W/ METAL ON METAL WHEN STEERING, CAN CAUSE TOO MUCH FRICTION AND HEAT UP AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE, ETC. I AM HAVING MY HUSBAND DRIVE THIS VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 13,300 MILES NOW. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, AND THE DEALERSHIP, NOR GM CAN TELL ME OR SIGN OFF IN IN WRITING THAT THIS WON'T CAUSE A PROBLEM. THEY (GM) BELIEVE STEERING PROBLEMS, AND NOISES YOU HEAR WHEN STEERING LIKE METAL ON METAL ARE NOT DANGEROUS. I WAS TOLD THAT GM KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND GM NOW ITSELF CALLED ME AND TOLD ME, BUT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHY DOESN'T THE REGIONAL MGR FOR GM DRIVE MY CAR THEN, AND TELL ME THAT--SINCE SHE MAKES ALL DECISIONS THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND HENCE WON'T DO A THING ABOUT IT. SEEMS LIKE THE DEALERSHIP AND GM SAYS IT'S A PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING ON A CAR THAT I WON'T DRIVE. BESIDES THE CONTINUAL GRINDING IN MY STEERING, AND THE FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION THAT THEY FIXED, THE HORN DIED 2 TIMES AS WELL. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 7, 20035,600 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE, AND REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *AK *CB. THE FUEL FILTER AND OXYGEN SENOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. *JB

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Aug 6, 200316,000 milesOH

FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, READS FULL WHEN FUEL TANK IS ON EMPTY. THIS RESULTS IN VEHICLE STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jul 12, 20035,424 milesFL

ENGINE 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 UNSURE IF THE PROBLEM WAS WITH HER OR THE CAR. THE LAST TIME SCARED HER, AND THE DEALER'S REP SAID "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN". DEALER DID A GOOD JOB IN PERSISTING WITH THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS FINALLY (AFTER TWO DAYS) TRACED TO THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE DUST COVER COMING LOOSE AND WEDGING ITSELF BETWEEN THE CABLE AN ACTUATOR IN A DIFFICULT TO DETECT LOCATION.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Jun 16, 2003WV

CONSUMER HIT A PIECE OF WOOD THAT HAD FALLEN OFF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE RESULTING IN BROKEN LEFT RIM. THE NEXT DAY THE RIGHT RIM WAS DAMAGED AFTER HITTING A DEEP POT HOLE. *MR PH

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed May 28, 200310,297 milesCO

MY AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKED ON 6 DIFFERENT TIMES AND IS NOW FLASHING THE AIR BAG LIGHTS AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.

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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