78 of the 310 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the braking system — 25% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 68,100 miles.
78
Complaints
19
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES EVERY 2 WEEK AND FOR SOME REASON NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR
NHTSA complaint #10122036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT. *NM THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AND THE STABILIZER WAS FOUND BROKE, THERE WAS ANOTHER NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVE AXLE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HE/SHE EXPERIENCED.
NHTSA complaint #10111068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT LLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10091902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10063005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THIS PROBLEM OF THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING STARTED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT WELL OVER 800 DOLLARS ON BRAKE WORK AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRAKE SHOPS. NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE LAST PLACE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 1300 DOLLAR PROBLEM. I NEED TO REPLACE THE ABS BOX. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY IN PERFECTLY CLEAR WEATHER I WAS TO FORCE TO HIT MY BRAKES AND ENDED UP SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST BEING STRUCK BY NUMEROUS CARS UNTIL I FINALLY COME TO A STOP FACING TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAVE READ IN NUMEROUS DIFFERENT WEB SITES ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING ON 94 CAVALIERS. I THINK IF ANYTHING IS DECIDED TO BE RECALLED THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM. NOT EVERYONE HAS THE MONEY TO JUST THROW AWAY ON HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10000963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP ON WET LEAVES, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED WRONG BY THE DEALER ON JUNE 14, 2000, THE DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A 50 PERCENT SPLIT ON THE BRAKE WORK, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND VICE VERSA.
NHTSA complaint #564993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SHIMMIED. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8009845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SHIMMIED. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8009845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
UPON COMING TO A STOP ABS BRAKE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THEN VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #883066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DUE TO T DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM WHEELS TO LOCKED UP, ANDVEHICLE SKID, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #869779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR, AND HITTED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL FOR GM SUV, MINI VAN AND PICKUP. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #721659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REPLACED DRIVER-SIDE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY ONCE AND PASS.- SIDE 3 TIMES IN 2 1/2 YEARS. ENGINE OVERHEATS VERY EASILY AND STALLS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING/BRAKING, ETC. ABS BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING 3/4 OF THE TIME. REAR PASS.-SIDE LOCK WILL NOT ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #720045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR, REPLACED A MINIMUM OF 10 TIMES WITHIN 70,000 MILES ROTORS REPLACED ALSO - DRIVERS SEAT DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK INTO PLACE SOMETIMES SLIDES FOR/BACKWARDS - HARD TO USE RELEASE BUTTON ON FRONT PASSENGER BELT NOW THE CASING FELL OFF - WIPERS AREN'T PLACED CORRECTLY HAS CHIPPED OFF PAINT ON HOOD - DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS HARD TO ROLL FEELS AS IF IT GETS OFF TRACK CAR GIVES SQUEKING/RATTLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING - BLACK METAL PARTS ON WIPERS HAS FADED TO BLOTCHY GRAY EARLY IN CARS LIFE - I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THESE IN ANY CAR I'VE OWNED, THEY ARE PREMATURE, ESPECIALLY THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #719276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT. WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #856079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO AVOID ACCIDENTS CAR GOES INTO SKID ON DRY AND WET PAVEMENT. STEERING WHEEL WILL OCCASIONALLY TURN WHEN BRAKES LOCK UP. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM ZIMBRICK BUICK EAST. DRUMS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. DRUMS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED DUE TO WARPING. SHOES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. BRAKE PEDAL IS GOING ALL MOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE SLOWING CAR. PEDAL HAS SAME PULSING ACTION AS IT DID WHEN DRUMS WARPED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #718009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES EXPERIENCED FADE WHILE STOPPING DURING A LIGHT RAIN AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ERRATIC OPERATION OF ABS SYSTEM ; SOUND WOULD COME FROM THE WHEEL WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #844936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS FAILS EVERY TIME ACTIVATED, SYSTEM CYCLES SLOWLY, WITH UNCONTROLLABLE LOCK AND RELEASE OF WHEELS. THIS HAS OCCURED ON A FEW OCCASIONS. 1 OCCASION RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. ENGINE/VEHICLE VIBRATES HEAVILY WHEN IDLING IN GEAR. HAS DONE SO SINCE PURCHASE, BUT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. HORN PAD HAS DISLOGED AND FALLEN BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL SPOKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT LATCH DOES NOT RETAIN SEATBACK FROM TRAVELLING FORWARD. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. SAFETY ISSUE. AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AFTER ABOUT 9 MONTHS, WITH NO PRIOR USE. AFTER REPAIR, IT FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 3 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #709339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SKIDDED. VEHICLE WILL INCH UP, AND ABS OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #843166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES WILL OCCASIONALLY LOCK AND THEN RELEASE. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP FURTHER AHEAD THAN INTENDED. SOMETIMES IT CAUSES THE WHEELS TO DRAG. THE PROBLEM IS INTENSIFIED IN THE PRESENCE OF WATER OR SAND ON THE ROAD. IT MAKES ME FEEL WARY AND UNSAFE WHEN I OR MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THE CAR. I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL NOT STOP WHEN I NEED IT TO THE
NHTSA complaint #708912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM WOULD ONLY LOCK UP ON REAR WHEEL. REPAIRMAN WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, REAR BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN WEATHER GETS COLD.
NHTSA complaint #829519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #605691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #605691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT APPROX. 35-40MPH, THE ABS BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #832845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKE CONSTANLY GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN PARKED ON ANY INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #781496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS COMING TO A STOP & STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS), AND THEY FAILED TO HOLD OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, AT BEST. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NOTHING SHOWED ON COMPUTER. THE TRUNK FILLS WITH WATER & CAN NOT LOCATE WHERE ITS COMING FROM.
NHTSA complaint #823568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION TO OCCUR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #823440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #530193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
STRANGE NOISE, REPLACE ROTORS/PAD TWICE WITHIN 7 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #522379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED OF PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE ABS BRAKES FRONT ROTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED PADS AT 16,000 MILES. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #820117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.