FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

141 of the 748 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the engine — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 93,309 miles.

C

141

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 49 34.8%
Gasoline 41 29.1%
Cooling System 15 10.6%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 10 7.1%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 9 6.4%
Exhaust System 7 5.0%
Catalytic Convertor 3 2.1%
Emission Control 2 1.4%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2 1.4%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 2 1.4%

Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Cavalier year

1989 14 1.7%
1991 12 1.5%
1992 18 2.2%
1993 51 6.3%
1994 60 7.4%
1995 99 12.2%
1996 141 17.4%
1997 123 15.1%
1998 58 7.1%
1999 50 6.2%
2000 59 7.3%
2001 33 4.1%
2002 23 2.8%
2003 49 6.0%
2004 22 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 40,000 miles Nicholasville, KY

ENGINE

THIS CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LIKE THE GM CARS BEING MENTIONED IN THE NEWS TODAY. STARTED IN 2005 AND WAS EVALUATED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT KEPT IT OVER A MONTH. IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING (VARIED SPEEDS). IT ALSO RANDOMLY WON'T START. TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT WILL QUIT ON YOU OR NOT START.RESETTING DID NOT HELP.CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR DAUGHTER (NEW DRIVER) TO DRIVE, BUT WAS TOO UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10567934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,721 miles Spring, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THERE'S ALOT OF STUFF WRONG WITH THIS CAR. IT RAN GOOD AND IS RELIABLE WHEN RUNNING,BUT RECENTLY STOP RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #10440387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,035 miles SAN Francisco, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2.4L WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO. TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING TO GET GAS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO IDLE LOW AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE. AS I CAME TO A STOP IT GOT WORSE AND THEN I CHECK THE DASH FOR ANY INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION ONLY TO SEE MY AIRBAG, CHECK ENGINE, ABS, CHECK OIL & BATTERY LIGHTS FLICKERING. MOMENTS LATER AS I SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR IT DIES RENDERING ALL SAFETY AND NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO CALL A FRIEND TO JUMP ME 3 MORE TIMES BEFORE REACHING MY HOME WHICH WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY!

NHTSA complaint #10438689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 226,250 miles Anaheim, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 1996 CHEVY CAVALIER IN 1999 AND FROM THE BEGINNING HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON ETC. FROM 1999 TO SEPT 2010 - I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL CHEVY DEALERS WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY AND THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I WAS TOLD TO PUT FUEL INJECTION CLEANER IN IT BY ONE CAR DEALER OF COURSE THAT DIDN'T WORK. YEARS LATER AND MANY REPAIRS, ENGINE REBUILT, THERMOSTAT REPLACED, WATER PUMPS, FANS ETC.. FOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM - LOSS OF POWER, CAR SHUTTING OFF AND LEAVING ME IN INTERSECTION, FREEWAYS ETC.. CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, I HAVE OVER THESE YEARS BECOME VERY FRUSTRATED THE CODES READ O2 SENSORS, THE CAT CONVERTER PIECES FALL APART EASILY CAUSING VERY COSTLY REPAIRS BECAUSE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS CLOG THE AIR FLOW CAUSING OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF POWER, IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT OR COST TO KEEP THIS CAR IN REPAIR ORDER. CAT CONVERTERS, SENSORS, HEAD GASKETS, SEALS, WATER PUMPS, STICKING THERMOSTATS ETC.. CONTINUALLY REPLACED AND STILL THE SAME ON GOING PROBLEM WITH NO HOPE OF EVER FINALLY FIXING THIS DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10354784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,000 miles Crofton, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 4 DOOR, 2.2 LITER CHEVROLET CAVALIER AUTOMOBILE THAT HAS A FAULTY TIMING BELT TENSIONER. THE TENSIONER WENT AND THE TIMING BELT SKIPPED, THUS CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE FLAW IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN SOME CAR REVIEW MAGAZINES.

NHTSA complaint #10230965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anaheim, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENGINE/CAR TURNED OFF AND LOOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING.. CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WITHOUT REASON THIS CAR TURNS OFF AND LOOSES POWER WHILE FULLY ENGAGED IN DRIVE, THIS LEAVES ME THE DRIVER WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS AND MAIN STREETS...VERY SCARY.

NHTSA complaint #10219217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anaheim, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

ETS AND CHECK ENGINE LIFT ON ALL THE TIME. FROM THE TIME THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR THESE TWO LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO BE LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THE SELLER AND TO VARIOUS CAR REPAIR PLACES. BUT, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR IT. A FEW YEARS AGO - I TOOK MY CAR FOR REPAIRS TO ANOTHER CHEVORLET DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AND THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO HAVE IT REPLACED TBY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A DEALER. SO, I TOOK MY CAR MUFFLER REPAIR AND HAD IT REPLACED (AT A VERY EXPENSIVE COST). THE LIGHTS DID NOT GO OFF AFTER THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO BE RE SET WHICH THEY COULD NOT DO. SO, I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR PLACE AND HAD THE LIGHTS RESET. IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW, A YEAR OR SO HAS GONE BY AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AGAIN AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MUFFLER SHOP - THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM . AGAIN I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR PLACE AND HAD THE LIGHTS RESET. AT THIS TIME THE LIGHTS HAVE REMAIN OFF, BUT THE CAR STILL LOSES POWER OFF AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #10219234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,309 miles Lauderhill, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BLOWN HEAD GASKET VEHICLE OVER HEATING, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR ISSUE; HEAD GASKET RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING VERY BADLY EVEN THOUGH A COMPLETE TUNE UP HAS BEEN DONE; FUEL SYSTEM RECALL SUSPENSION MAKING LOTS OF NOISE; REAR SUSPENSION RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10210010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Rosedale, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS AND ANTIFREEZE WOULD LEAK. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10113056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Coloma, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

134,000 MILES ON CHEVROLET CAVALIER, STALLED ON ROAD-TIMING CHAIN BROKEN BUT THIS IS A SECONDARY PROBLEM TO LOSS OF COMPRESSION. PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS?.

NHTSA complaint #10067638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,871 miles Broken Arrow, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CAME BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAY COULD DO NOTHING THATS JUST HOW THEY RUN. MOTOR SURGES AND LAGS AFTER START UP. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. PUSH PEDAL MOTOR BOGS DOWN AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. BATTERY TOOK A DUMP AT ALMOST 4 YEARS. ENGINE SPUN #3 AND #4 BEARINGS ON A COLD START UP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME.PASS POWER WINDOW WAS ALWAYS SLOW. REPLACED APPROX MID 2002 REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS LUMBER IN THE TRUNK. WHEEL STUDS SNAP EASILY AS I HAVE REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 10. REAR BRAKES DRAG AND GRAB EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY. RUBBER MUFFLER HANGER WEARS OUT. REPLACED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10069950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,871 miles Broken Arrow, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CAME BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAY COULD DO NOTHING THATS JUST HOW THEY RUN. MOTOR SURGES AND LAGS AFTER START UP. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. PUSH PEDAL MOTOR BOGS DOWN AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. BATTERY TOOK A DUMP AT ALMOST 4 YEARS. ENGINE SPUN #3 AND #4 BEARINGS ON A COLD START UP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME.PASS POWER WINDOW WAS ALWAYS SLOW. REPLACED APPROX MID 2002 REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS LUMBER IN THE TRUNK. WHEEL STUDS SNAP EASILY AS I HAVE REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 10. REAR BRAKES DRAG AND GRAB EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY. RUBBER MUFFLER HANGER WEARS OUT. REPLACED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10069950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Madison, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

JULY 2002 MANUAL TRANSAXLE LEAK- REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SEALS; MARCH 2003, LEFT SEAL REPLACED; OCTOBER 2003 RIGHT SEAL REPLACED. OCTOBER 2003, LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AND SOMETIMES ON FLATS- SAME GEARS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK AND THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN, MEANWHILE I TOOK IT IN FOR THE LEAKING TRANSAXLE- I CAN'T WIN.

NHTSA complaint #10070972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flint, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VEHICLE STALLED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK THE TRUNK WOULD LOCK WITHOUT THE REMOTE ENTRY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10059550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Ocoee, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I 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 POURING OUT OIL, I CANT GO PAST 3 RPMS IT HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT HAS ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS THE CAR HAS A STALLING PROBLEM AS WELL WHICH HAS ALMOST COSTED ME AND MY SON OUR LIFE. ADVANCED CAR CARE INC (SILVERSTAR ROAD) IN ORLANDO FLORIDA SOLD ME THIS CAR NOTIFYING ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 7,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND THE CAR IS EVEN MORE MESSED UP THAN WHAT IT WAS. EVERYTIME I PAY FOR SOMETHING TO BE FIXED SOMETHING ELSE WRONG SHOWS UP... I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANICS WERE ALL SHOCKED AT THIS CAR. THEY SD THE HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR BUILT THIS MESSED UP BEFORE. THE COMPUTER WAS SHOOTING OUT 13 DIFFERENT CODES. THIS IS A LEMON CAR. I NEED IT FIXED OR REPLACED ALSO S & S AUTOMOTIVE IN APOPKA FLORIDA CHARGED ME 1,515 IN REPAIRS WHICH THEY NEVER GAVE ME A WRITTEN QUOTE OR EVEN ON THE PHONE. THEY LIED TO ME ABOUT PARTS BEING NEW WHEN THEY WERE USED. THEY INSTALLED MY CATALYTIC CONVERTOR WRONG AS WELL. THEY DID WORK AND LABOR TO THE CAR AND CHARGED ME FOR IT WITHOUT MY CONCENT.. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR AND I TEST DROVE IT I WAS SHOCKED THAT NOW THE CRANK SHAFT IS ALL OF A SUDDEN BAD AND IT WILL COST ME 2,000 THERE OR 5,000 AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND I DONT EVEN HAVE A DOLLAR TO MY NAME RIGHT NOW. COULDNT BUY MY SON ANY GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS AFTER PAYING ALL OF THESE CAR BILLS AND NOW IM STUCK WITH THIS LEMON OF A CAR .

NHTSA complaint #10051139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,714 miles Port Charlotte, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO STALL , AFTER PLACING NEARLY $800.00 WORTH OF NEW PARTS IN VEHICLE, CHANGING SEVERAL ALTERNATORS AND STARTERS, FROM THE INGNITION SWITH RECALL. I HAD TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THE CAR HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WHICH, APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER CAVALIERS, ALTHOUGH NOT WITH MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE CALLED GM MOTORS AND THEY WANT ME TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSISED AT THEIR DEALERSHIP, COSTING $100-$200. AND NOW HAVING TO SPEND $400-$600 ON ANOTHER DEFECT FROM THESE RECALLS, IS REALLY FRUSTRATING MY FAMILY, ESPICALLY MY HUSBAND. WE DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO KEEP PLACING IN THIS VECHILE, I'M A FULL TIME STUDENT WITH A 2 YEAR OLD SON AND WORK ONLY PART TIME. I NEED A RELIABLE CAR. I CAN'T SPEND MORE MONEY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT HAVE A GUARENTEE THAT THEY WOULDN' FIX THIS PART. I KNOW THAT ALL THE PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO IN SCHOOL,WORK AND OUT ANY WHERE ELSE, HOSPITAL FOR CLINICALS WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY GM MOTORS VECHILES, DUE TO THEM NOT WANTING TO GO THROUGH THIS THEMSELVES AND HOW I'VE BEEN UNFAIRLY TREATED BY THIS MANUFACTOR. ALL I WANT IS FOR THIS TO BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10049640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,680 miles Port Charlotte, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE- STALLING AT HIGH/LOW SPEEDS. NO STEERING,BRAKES, VERY FRIGHTENING!! ALREADY SPENT ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY AT MECHANICS TO FIND PROBLEM. PROBABLY ANOTHER RECALL ON VEHICLE. ALMOST BECOMING MANY ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10047108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Hill, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE DIED. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES AND THE CONSUMER WAS TO PULL OVER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10031830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Hill, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55MPH, IT SHUT OFF. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. TWO DEALERS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10031733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,710 miles SAN Juan Bautista, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

EXCESSIVE COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM UNDER CAR. CAR HEATS UP, CAUSING TO PULLOVER CONSTANTLY TO GET THE CAR TO COOL DOWN. SEEMS TO BE A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10028424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,500 miles ST. Cloud, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FUEL 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

NHTSA complaint #10023976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CAR SUDDENLY LEAKED COOLANT, ENGINE TEMP WAS READING HOT ON DASH. THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO A STUCK THERMOSTAT, REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT. BELT STARTS SLIPPING A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, AND BELT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beecher, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING ONTO THE HEAD GASKET AREA OF MY CAR. ANTIFREEZE HAS BEEN REFILLED EVERY WEEK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER HAVING THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC, I BECAME AWARE THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO THE HEAD GASKETS BEING BLOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10023673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

KEY Largo, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10014686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles ELK River, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OVER HEATING DUE TO HEAD GASKET/ THERMOSTAT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10010309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indpls, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

8/28/98 RECALL AIRBAGS--7/20/01 WATER PUMP REPLACED--9/5/01 STABILIZER LINK REPLACED--HORN WORKS SOMETIMES

NHTSA complaint #566368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado Springs, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ANOTHER CAVALIER WITH A FAILED HEAD GASKET THAT CHEVROLET REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. GOOD THING I PUT OFF BUYING THAT 2003. THE NEON IS LOOKING BETTER EVERY DAY. MR

NHTSA complaint #768361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Silver Spring, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CAR ENGINE CUT OUT, WITH NOINDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC FROM THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS REGULARLY SERVICE COULD FIND NO REASON WHY THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS: ENGINE PISTON CRACKED, NUMBER 1 SPARK PLUG CRACKED AND BURN, SPUN ROD IN LIFTERS CAUSING CAR NOT TO START, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $4,500. AFTER CONSULTING WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC, I REPLACED THE ENGINE ELSEWHERE. THE MECHANIC THERE COULD NOT OFFER A EXPLAINATION OTHER THAN A DEFECT FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. BOTH MECHANICS NOTED HOW WELL THE ENGINE LOOKED DESPITE THE FAILURE. REGULAR ENGINE MAINTENENCE HAD ALWAYS BEEN DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND THE CAR HAD CLEARLY BEEN DRIVEN ABUSIVELY. TS

NHTSA complaint #767828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Takoma, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGAE ,THEIRS WAS SMOKE COMING FORM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED , MAYBE SMOKE CAME FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKES OR ENGINE. CAUSE STILL UNKNWOWN.

NHTSA complaint #8018618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

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