20 of the
748 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the
equipment — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
63,871 miles.
A
20
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
AIR Conditioner
1260.0%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
420.0%
Electrical
15.0%
Labels
15.0%
Equipment
15.0%
Anti-Theft Devices
15.0%
Equipment & Accessories across every Chevrolet Cavalier year
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 89,950 milesRIO Rancho, NM
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
I AM HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME UNDERSTANDING AND OBTAINING CLEAR INFORMATION ON THE 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER'S THEFT SYSTEM THAT CAME WITH THE CAR FROM THE FACTORY. SOMETHING IS TRIPPING AND I CANNOT DISENGAGE IT. WHEN TRIPPED, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND AT ANY PLACE, AND IT HAS!! I TALKED TO SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT THREE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERS AND ALL THREE SAY VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS AND NONE HELP. ALSO, THE OBD DIAGNOSIS SHOWS NOTHING WRONG BUT EACH VISIT COSTS ME OVER $80.00!! I EVEN CALLED THE FACTORY AND NO ONE WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10045681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyoming, MN
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
THERE ARE TWO WARNING LABELS ON CHILD SEAT REGARDING WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE CONTRADICTING EACH OTHER.*MR ONE LABEL STATED " 20 LBS FOR REAR FACING." THE OTHER STATED " REAR FACING 5-30 LBS." WHEN A PARENT CONTACTED ENVENFLO AND TRIED TO OBTAIN AN OWNER'S MANUAL, THEY WERE TOLD ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION WAS ON THE CHILD SEAT STICKERS. EVENFLO DIDN'T RESPOND TO PARENT EMAILS. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10043924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,500 milesST. Cloud, MN
EQUIPMENT
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.
Stanton, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING WAS UNABLE TO STOP, THERE WERE NO BRAKES, ALSO VEHICLE WOULD MAKE LOUD SOUNDS AND THEN STALL, CONSUMER WAS ALWAYS BEING TOLD BY DELAERSHIP THAT IT WAS A SENSOR AND THE FUEL FILTER WHICH WAS ALWAYS BEING REPLACED, BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED BY A MANAGER AT THE CHEVROLET SHOP THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROGRAMMED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO BE ON AT ALL TIMES, WHICH CAUSED THESE MALFUNCTIONS AS WELL AS BURNING OUT THE CARBURETOR, THE MANAGER FIXED THE DIAL SO THE A/C WOULD NOT BE ON, BUT STILL INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE PROPERLY REPROGRAMMED, CONSUMER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES SINCE THE DIAL WAS READJUSTED, CONSUMER HAS OBTAINED LEGAL REPRESENATION AND FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACUTER CREATED.
NHTSA complaint #562669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER STATES IT TOOK FOUR YEARS BEFORE ANYONE COULD DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER CASUING CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO STOP, DRIVING SEVERAL FEET WITH THE ABS LIGHT ON, THE DEALER FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C AND THE COMPRESSOR WERE PROGRAMMED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE ON AT ALL TIMES, ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE COMPRESSOR, BRAKES, AND POWER, AND THE MECHANIC FOUND A WAY TO GET THE A/C AND COMPRESSOR TO STAY OFF, CAUSING THE PROBLEMS TO CEASE.JB
NHTSA complaint #563725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING WAS UNABLE TO STOP, THERE WERE NO BRAKES, ALSO VEHICLE WOULD MAKE LOUD SOUNDS AND THEN STALL, CONSUMER WAS ALWAYS BEING TOLD BY DELAERSHIP THAT IT WAS A SENSOR AND THE FUEL FILTER WHICH WAS ALWAYS BEING REPLACED, BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED BY A MANAGER AT THE CHEVROLET SHOP THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROGRAMMED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO BE ON AT ALL TIMES, WHICH CAUSED THESE MALFUNCTIONS AS WELL AS BURNING OUT THE CARBURETOR, THE MANAGER FIXED THE DIAL SO THE A/C WOULD NOT BE ON, BUT STILL INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE PROPERLY REPROGRAMMED, CONSUMER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES SINCE THE DIAL WAS READJUSTED, CONSUMER HAS OBTAINED LEGAL REPRESENATION AND FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACUTER CREATED.
NHTSA complaint #562669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE MANUFACTURER PROGRAMMED THE AIR CONDITION TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, WHICH CAUSED THE COMPRESSOR TO MALFUNCTION, ABS BRAKE TO FAIL, AND VEHICLE TO STALL AND LOOSE ALL POWER.
NHTSA complaint #562282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX1 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY CAR WAS PROGRAMMED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE A/C ON AT ALL TIMES. SO, DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MY A/C WAS ALWAYS ON, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME. THIS CAUSED THE COMPRESSOR TO MALFUNCTION THIS FALL. THAT'S WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR FINALLY REVEALED ITSELF, AND A MECHANIC AT DON RINGLER'S CHEVROLET FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT THE A/C NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED SO THAT IT WAS NOT ON AT ALL TIMES. MEANWHILE, ALL DURING THE FIVE YEARS, THE BRAKES KEPT FAILING AT VARIOUS TIMES, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY CRASH OR RUN OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MANY TIMES I WAS BRUISED FROM THE INCIDENTS. MY CAR ALSO STOPPED RUNNING ALTOGETHER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE OPERATING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, AND JUST AS THE POWER WOULD SHUT OFF, THE BRAKES WOULD STOP WORKING. I HAVE GONE OUT INTO THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAYS, ALMOST BEING KILLED. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED OR THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED. BEING ONLY THE SECOND CAR IN MY LIFE (THE FIRST ONE, A GEO METRO, CAUSED NO PROBLEMS AT ALL), I TRUSTED THE VERDICT EACH TIME, AND DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A DEEPER, UNDERLYING PROBLEM TO REPORT. IT TOOK ME FIVE YEARS TO UNCOVER THIS. BELIEVING THE MECHANICS AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS EACH TIME THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED, I CONTINUED TO KEEP CAREFUL MAINTENANCE ON IT WITH THE VERY BEST QUALITY CARE. THIS FALL, I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING, THAT IT WAS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE REAL SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, AND AFTER ANOTHER $500 AND A TEST DRIVE WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER FAILED ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE A/C WAS MISPROGRAMMED AND CAUSING POWER FAILURE. EVIDENCE OF THIS LIES IN THE FACT THAT WHEN THE A/C IS KEPT OFF, THE CAR RUNS FINE. THE COMPRESSOR IS RUINED. I AM CONCERNED THAT ALL THE OTHER 1996 CAVALIER COMPLAINTS (NHTSA) ON POWER/BRAKE FAILURE MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO A/C MISPROGRAMMING. THOSE CUSTOMERS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE REASON EITHER. A RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE--GM STAFF IS IGNORING ME.
NHTSA complaint #748231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vallejo, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED, REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Strasburg, PA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CD-PLAYER NOT EJECTING CDS.
NHTSA complaint #714261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barrigada, GU
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE CAR IS FALLING APART, INTERIOR IS FALLING APART, EXAMPLE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS NOT IN TACT, THE PASSENGER CHAIR ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME IS BROKEN, AIR CONDITIONER HAS GONE OUT AND WE NEEDED TO INSTALL A NEW AIRCONDITIONER, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, I GUESS EVERY NINE MONTHS THE CAR NEEDS A NEW BRAKE CHANGE, THE CHRYSLER CREDIT CORP HAS NEVER GIVEN US A RECEIPT ON HOW MUCH MORE TO PAY AND WHEN WE CALL THEM UP, THEY WOULD NOT TELL US HOW MUCH MORE TO GO FOR THE PAYMENTS, THEY ALSO KNOW THAT SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THEN THEY WOULD CHANGE CONSTANTLY WHERE THE PAYMENT SHOULD GO. I JUST WISHED THEY WOULD STOP THAT. IT IS LIKE A HOUSE LOAN, WE HAVE CHANGED MORTAGAGER FOUR TIMES AND THIS IS GETTING VERY STRESSFUL. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #704232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wiggins, MS
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE.ALSO THE HOOD RELEASE/ABS BRAKES AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
FT GUARD ON RADIO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, WV
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #532460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clarita, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
STEREO CASSETTE PLAYER FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #603879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waynesboro, VA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TAPE DECK WILL NOT ACCEPT TAPES, REPLACED, REPLACEMENT CRACKS/POPS.
NHTSA complaint #515013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valliant, OK
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
PURCHASED CAR IN MARCH 96, THE STRUT WAS REPLACED ABOUT FOUR TIMES . *AK CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT, DEALER ADVISDED HER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BECAUSE TIRE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO SOME TYPE OF OBJECT THAT PUNCTURED TIRE, ALSO AIR CONDITION WENT OUT TWICE, STARTER WAS REPLACED, TORQUE CONVERTOR REPLACED, AND A RECALL ON PISTON PIN, CONSUMER FEELS THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE SOME TYPE OF RESPONSBIILTY SINCE THIS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #806010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.