FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier window and wiper problems

31 of the 748 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 63,871 miles.

A

31

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield 12 38.7%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 4 12.9%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 3 9.7%
Exterior 3 9.7%
Glass, Side/Rear 2 6.5%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 2 6.5%
Visibility 2 6.5%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 1 3.2%
Fan/Motor 1 3.2%
Electrical Heating Element 1 3.2%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Chevrolet Cavalier year

1992 10 3.4%
1994 19 6.5%
1995 37 12.6%
1996 31 10.6%
1997 46 15.7%
1998 16 5.5%
1999 15 5.1%
2000 15 5.1%
2001 12 4.1%
2002 18 6.1%
2003 38 13.0%
2004 25 8.5%
2005 11 3.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 63,871 miles Broken Arrow, OK

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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.

Southfield, MI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

THE DEFROSTER DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. *AK PH

NHTSA complaint #10021571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

NEITHER OF THE ONLY 2 WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN OR UP DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MOTORS. THE FIRST MOTOR FAILED AT 50K MILES, THE SEOND AT 60K MILES. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, PROGRESS WOULD BE IMPEDED OR PREVENTED DUE TO THESE FAILURES. DT

NHTSA complaint #769616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rosedale, MD

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

FAN THAT CONTROLS INTERIOR INSIDE OF CAR ONLY OPERATES ON "HIGH" POSITION. DT

NHTSA complaint #768719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stanton, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #762354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple, TX

VISIBILITY

THE LEFT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN, ALSO CONSUMER STATED THE THE FRONT WINDOW WAS NOISY AND SHAKES WHEN UP OR DOWN, DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW MOTOR, IN WHICH TWO OF FOUR BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE OTHER TWO WERE LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #562669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deer Park, NY

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

THERE ARE 2 KNOWN SERVICE BULLITINS OUT ON THESE PROBLEMS AND CHEVROLET NOR THE DEALER WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #753322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple, TX

VISIBILITY

THE LEFT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN, ALSO CONSUMER STATED THE THE FRONT WINDOW WAS NOISY AND SHAKES WHEN UP OR DOWN, DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW MOTOR, IN WHICH TWO OF FOUR BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE OTHER TWO WERE LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #562669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

INSIDE TRIM ALONG WINDSHIELD CRACKED THROUGH. REPLACEMENT COST IS $775. I HAVE MY DOUBTS AS WHETHER THIS WAS A NEW CAR AT TIME OF PURCHASE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO MY DAUGHTER SCRAPED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. WHILE HAVING IT REPAIRED THE INDEPENDENT COLLISION REPAIR SHOP COMMENTED IF THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A PREVIOUS WRECK. I TOLD THE SHOP OWNER THAT THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A WRECK. ON 10 OCT. 2000 I TOOK THE CAR INTO BACHMAN CHEVROLET TO HAVE THE CRACKED DASH TRIM ASSESS (GM CASE C1837827). THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AT HOME TO INFORM ME THAT IT WOULD COST $775 TO REPLACE THE TRIM. HE PROCEEDED TO QUESTION ME ABOUT THE CAR BEING IN A WRECK. I INFORMED HIM THAT THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A WRECK AND IT WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM HIS EMPLOYER. BASED ON THE ABOVE STATEMENTS I NOW HAVE MY DOUBTS ABOUT THE CAR..

NHTSA complaint #735092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seaside, CA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AFTER FOUR TIMES IN SHOP, MISFIRING,SEVERAL KNOBS HAVE FALLEN OFF,PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK,INTERIOR PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #725651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

KNOCKING NOISE NEAR TRUNK AREA, BURNING SMELL CONSTANTLY, PANEL LIGHTS ALWAYS SHOW SOMETHING WRONG, ETS OFF LIGHT BLINKING, TILT STICKS, HORN DEFECTIVE, DON'T START IN WARM WEATHER,POPPING NOISE IN REAR SIDE, COOLANT LEAKS, POWER STEERING HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED UP AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, WINDOW RATTLES WHEN COMING DOWN, WINDOW NOT ALIGNED RIGHT AIR COMES THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES,ALARM DOESN'T WORK 85% OF THE TIME EVEN WITH NEW BATTERIES, NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE JUNE 1, 1999.

NHTSA complaint #718978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PEA Ridge, AR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE WINDSHIELD SAFETY GLASS BEGAN TO SEPARATE BETWEEN THE LAYER. NLM

NHTSA complaint #549319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bath, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS MATTER. NO SAFETY DEFECT INDICATED, REQUESTS RECALL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #706430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowling Green, OH Crash

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WATER COMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOWS. PASSENGER SEAT COVER NOT ANCHORED. LEATHER PANELS COMING UNDONE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #830249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

REAR WINDSHIELD BROKE FOR UNKNOWN REASON.

NHTSA complaint #528671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST JOE, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, TAPPED A LIGHT POLE AND BOTH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED IN THE PROCESS. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #823336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

REAR WINDOW BROKE FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA complaint #533679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Segundo, CA

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

FRONT DOOR WINDOW CHANNEL FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAL Harbour, FL

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

DRIVER SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES, BLURRING VISION.

NHTSA complaint #515713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAL Harbour, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

DRIVER'S WINDOW DOES NOT FULLY CLOSE, WIND NOISE AT HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #515713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Barbara, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CONDENSATION IN REAR WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #603259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beaumont, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FAILED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #516062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beaumont, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

MIRROR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #514236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waynesboro, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WIRE RUBBED THROUGH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #515013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

OWNER STATES THAT HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAR WINDOWS ONLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO ABOUT 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LOWER. SERVICE PEOPLE CLAIM IT IS A PROBLEM ON 95, 96 AND 97 CAVALIERS.

NHTSA complaint #808213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, NH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS.

NHTSA complaint #509928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poway, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

LEFT EXTERIOR MIRROR SHIMMIES.

NHTSA complaint #507067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poway, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD SCRATCHED WHILE REMOVING FILM.

NHTSA complaint #507067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winter HAV, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW MISALIGNED IN DOOR TRACK, WINDOW STRIP INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING IMPROPER WINDOW OPERATION.

NHTSA complaint #502042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clifton, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

W/SOFT RAY,SOFT FLO; DESIGN FEATURE CAUSES BLINDNESS DUE TO POOR TINTING WHEN SUN COMES THROUGH FRONT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA complaint #978635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

← Full 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier report