1997 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 1987 CHEVY CAVALIAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD CLICKING IN THE CLUSTER AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TURNS ON AND MY FUEL PUMP SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN IN VERY CRITICAL PLACES WHILE THIS SITUATION TAKES PLACE. THE THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT MY VEHICHLE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE INTERSECTION ECT.. I HAVE TRYED TO RESET THIS SYSTEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MANY CHEVY CAVALIARS AND OTHER GM MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SHOULD BE FIXED. I, A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE A UNPREDICTABLE VEHICHLE THAT HAS SECURITY PROBLEMS THAT ARE DUE TO THE ORIGINAL MAKING OF THE SYSTEM. I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS AND AM STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10659080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

HAVE HAD FUEL LINE, AND FUEL PUMP REPLACED. STILL GET A STRONG SMELL OF GAS.... CAN NOT GET RID OF THE ODOR. THERE IS NOT A GAS LEAK THAT IS VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE BUT THE SCENT STILL LINGERS INSIDE AND OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10264997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

CALLED TO HAVE RECALL NUMBER 07E015000 AT DELPHI. PAUL (CUSTOMER SERVICE REP) CLEARLY WOULD NOT LET ME HAVE THE RECALL., AFTER ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTION.

NHTSA complaint #10258771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CONSUMERS FUEL LINE LEAKED AND WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATE IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER PIN HOLE LEAK. *TS THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHILE DRIVING. HE LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE RETURN FUEL LINE RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE FULE LINE RNNING UP THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PIN HOLE LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10138841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT RECALL 00V053000 WAS ISSUED CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE RETURN AND THE FEED LINE. THE RETURN LINE STARTED LEAKING FIRST AND THEN A MONTH LATER, THE FEED LINE STARTED LEAKING. NOTICED IT ON JULY 29, 2005 THIS IS WHEN THE RETURN METAL FITTING WAS LEAKING AND THE RETURN STARTED LEAKING ON AUGUST 29, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE PART THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE WHOLE UNIT, AND WITH LABOR WOULD COST $600.00 OR $700.00. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 02V070000. THIS VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER IT COMPLETELY. THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THE DEALER HAS NOT LOOKED AT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL 98V146000 CONCERNING AIR BAGS. VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. DID NOT HAVE THE DEALER CHECK THIS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10136553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

DT: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CARS AND THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED. CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GAS TANK LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THERE WAS GAS. THERE WAS ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH DISPLAY THAT GAS WAS STILL IN THE TANK. CONSUMER REALIZED HE WAS OUT OF GAS AFTER HE COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO SEND HIS NEPHEW TO A CORNER GAS STATION TO GET SOME GAS TO PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE GAS WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE IT RESTARTED AND THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE. CONSUMER DID NOT CONSULT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE EPROBLEM. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE INDICATOR DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO EMPTY WHEN IT WAS EMPTY. *AK THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10135391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

HEAD GASKET REPLACED @27000 MILES, FUEL PUMP @ 30000 AND AGAIN AT 96000 MILES. BRAKES REPLACED 2X A YEAR FOR 5 YEARS. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SEAL PROPERLY. FAN ONLY WORKS ON SPEED 3 OR 4.

NHTSA complaint #10106554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MACHINE CODES SHOWED THAT THE FUEL INJECTIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BUT THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, AND CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10092005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATS WHEN IDLING AND IT WENT OUT. (NOISILY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A DENTIST'S DRILL) BEFORE GOING OUT I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PUMPING GAS FUMES INTO THE CAB AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BECAUSE IT IS IN THE GAS TANK IT COST ME OVER $700 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10070754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS ALL THE TIME. WAS TOLD HAVE TWO LEAKS IN FUEL INJECTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10049236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

O-RING INJECTOR LEAKED GAS, AND GAS FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE O-RINGS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10038534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

AFTER HAVING MY 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER FIXED AS PER THE RECALL I GOT IT BACK AND SMELLED GAS WHEN DRIVING IT HOME,TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. WHO DID THE WORK AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WAS LEAKING,AND THAT IT WASN'T DUE TO THE RECENT REPAIR WORK THEY DID,THE HEAD MECHANIC SHAWN SAID IT WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAVALIERS,IF IT IS COMMON TO THIS TYPE OF CAR SHOULD THEY HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10009452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMETIMES COULD TRY TO START ENGINE BUT IT WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM. ALSO, FUEL WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE COULD GET ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #883716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

HORN: HAS NEVER WORKED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS RECEIVED. HAVE HAD THE DEALER FIX IT 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. HEATER FAN: FAILED DURING THE WINTER OF 1997. PAST WARRANTY PERIOD?? HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. ENGINE PROBLEM: STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WILL HESITATE AND JERK WHILE DRIVING IT. HAVE REPLACED: SPARK PLUG WIRES, PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHECKED. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 2 MILES. IGNITION: KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION/ REPLACED BY DEALER X 3.

NHTSA complaint #717749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

HORN: HAS NEVER WORKED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS RECEIVED. HAVE HAD THE DEALER FIX IT 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. HEATER FAN: FAILED DURING THE WINTER OF 1997. PAST WARRANTY PERIOD?? HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET. ENGINE PROBLEM: STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WILL HESITATE AND JERK WHILE DRIVING IT. HAVE REPLACED: SPARK PLUG WIRES, PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND HAVE HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHECKED. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. UNABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 2 MILES. IGNITION: KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION/ REPLACED BY DEALER X 3.

NHTSA complaint #717749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CAR STUTTERS, THEN POWERS DOWN TO 10-15 MPH, THEN ETS & ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS COME ON. REPEATED TRIPS TO MECHANIC AND DEALER SHOW NOTHING WRONG. LATEST WAS CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. DLR CHGE'D. PROBLEM REPEATED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PICK UP FROM DLR. WILL DRIVE NORMAL W/ LIGHTS ON. HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS ASSOC. W/ A CRASH AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT OF LIGHTS ON FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #713754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. BUT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL.

NHTSA complaint #846526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HESITATING/STALLING, REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND PRESSURE REGULATOR DID NOT RECTIFY ENGINE STALLING. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HESITATING/STALLING, REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND PRESSURE REGULATOR DID NOT RECTIFY ENGINE STALLING. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

ON MAY 29 1998 MY CARS ETS/ ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE CYLINDER MISFIRING, AND THEY TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS I WAS BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE CALLED THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT FOR HELP, AND THEY DID THIS ANOTHER TIME AS THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN MOVE TO FT. POLK LA. AS I AM IN THE MILITARY. ON 1 JAN 9, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY DID THE SAME THING THE OTHER SHOP DID. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON IT, REPLACING THE CYLINDER CAP/FUEL INJECTOR AND COIL HOUSING. AND THEY TALKED TO THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANTCE PERSONNEL AT CHEVROLET. THE LAST TIME I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP WAS 29JAN 99, AND THEY HOOKED A COMPUTER UP TO IT. DROVE IT FOR A WEEK TO TRY TO CREAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULD TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SYSTEM. BUT THE LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON. SO THEY GAVE ME BACK MY CAR WITH THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED, AND THE CHEVROLET CORP. WON'T DO ANY THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS ARE OUT OF SUGGESTIONS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE CHEVROLET CORP, AND FEEL THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T , AND THEY WON'T REPLACE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #703023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED CAUSING STALLING ON TWO OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #536250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I PEVIOUSLY CALLED THIS IN BUT JUST RECEIVED IT THRU THE MAIL AND IT WAS NOT CORRECT. WHAT HAPPENED WAS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 7 MINUTES, IT WAS VERY LOW ON GAS I HAVE NEVER LET IT GET THAT LOW BEFORE, THE ROAD CURVED THEN CAME TO A STOP SIGN WHEN I DID STOP THE LIGHT THAT SAID "CHECK GAGES" CAME ON, I LOOKED THE ONLY GAGE THAT WAS LOW WAS THE GAS I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 2-4 MORE MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION. I PULLED IT STOPPED, TURNED OFF CAR, GOT OUT MY CREDIT CARD "TEXACO" PUT IT IN THE SLOT, WAITED FOR IT TO APPROVE, PULLED OUT PUMP, PRESSED BUTTON, UNCAPPED MY GAS TANK, PUT IN PUMP AND PRESSED THE HANDLE SO IT WOULD PUMP AUTOMATICALLY, WENT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR PUT MY CREDIT CARD BACK IN MY PURSE, CAME BACK AROUND TO PUMP AND STARTED TO HOLD THE HANDLE DOWN SO IT WOULD PUMP FASTER, ALL THE SUDDEN FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK, I YANKED OUT PUMPED AND MOVED AWAY. THE EMPLOYEES AT THE STATION CAME OUT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE POLICE SHOWED UP BUT DID NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS EXCEPT WAS THAT MY CAR AND WAS I ALRIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND LOOKED AROUND I GUESS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THEY DID MAKE A REMARK ABOUT POSSIBLY THE GAS TANK WAS NOT GROUNDED, WHICH COULD OF CAUSED IT TO GET VERY HOT BECAUSE IT WAS LOW ON GAS. BUT AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE A FORENSIC MECHANIC WITH THEM TO LOOK OVER THE CAR, SO THAT WAS MORE OR LESS A "GUESS" ON THEIR PART. I THEN FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF A TOW TRUCK SO THAT THEY COULD TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REFERENCE NO. FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONAIRE THAT WAS MAILED TO ME IS 831265.

NHTSA complaint #701443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.