86 of the
751 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the
steering — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
84,005 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL THE DETAILS INVOLVING THE REPAIR AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #10680964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,747 milesTexas, TXFire
STEERING
1997 CHEVY CAVALIER STEERING COLUMN AND DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MARCH 10, 2011. CAR HAD NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION. CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER BEING USED FOR A SHORT DRIVE. THE CAVALIER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE FROM THE CAR. NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10397150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesDallas, PACrash1 injured
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT AND LOCKED. WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT DUE TO ANY TYPE OF DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12
NHTSA complaint #10390397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Hampton, NYCrash1 injured2 killed
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH A STEERING COLUMN RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL AND BY THE TIME THEY RECEIVED THE SECOND ONE THEIR DAUGHTER HAD DIED IN THAT VEHICLE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10217148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesNewark, NY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WORKS WHEN DRIVING FORWARD AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, BUT FAILS ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. GMC STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A CHEVROLET DEALER AWAITING REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10205267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesNorwalk, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V286000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE STEERING:RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10167687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,005 milesLOS Banos, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V286000, REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10155995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hyattsville, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE CONSUMER'S 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LOCKED UP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2003.
NHTSA complaint #10151945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesOley, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. CAR FAILS TO STEER LEFT AND ALMOST CAUSES A CRASH DUE TO LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER. ABILITY TO STEER TO THE RIGHT IS FINE. MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS NOW WORRIES ME WHEN DRIVING. DURING MY COMMUTE I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED THREE ACCIDENTS. WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED CONSIDERING ALL THE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS LISTED WITH THE NHTSA? PLENTY OF GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD CONSUMERS TAKE THE FALL WHEN IT STEMS BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER?
NHTSA complaint #10130116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8 milesSpring, TX
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TAKING A LEFT TURN IN A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER LEFT WITHOUT ABILITY TO CORRECT UNTIL EXPLICIT FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE INCIDENTS LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SLUGGISH CONTROL AND THEREFORE UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH ASKED FOR 800$ FOR THE REPAIR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN GM CARS HAS BEEN SEEN THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET, AND A COMPLAINT IS MORE THAN NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #10116514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V286000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10113698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V286000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10113698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, ARCrash1 injured
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN 97 CAVALIER, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN EXTREME INJURIES. *BF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V286000. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE STRIKING THE CONSUMERS LEFT EYE. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10105410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morehead, KYFire1 injured
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A STEEL POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10094224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN RACK PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION: PINION SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10092001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V186000; STEERING ASSEMBLY; THE OWNER TOOK HER VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL BUT WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER ITEMS WERE WRONG. THOSE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE. IT APPEARS THAT THEIR INTEREST WAS NOT ABOUT THE STEERING, IN WHICH THEY ONLY REPLACED THE LOWER PINION. THE CONSUMER QUESTIONED THE REPAIRS MADE TO HER VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILING ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER. THEY ARE NOT CLAIMING ANY FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB TIRE WAS HIT WITH A NAIL CREATING AN UNBALANCED TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10091441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,150 milesWhiting, NJCrash1 injured
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND WHEN TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE WHEELS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN, RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND INJURING THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10090305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,485 milesPittsburgh, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
SAFETY RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. *MR CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1,1996 AND OCTOBER 31,1997 THAT COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARING TO ESCAPE. SO THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS BROUGHT BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10042033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,304 milesPrairie DU Rocher, IL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NAR 3-11-03 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. UPON ARRIVAL THE CONSUMER FOUND REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IS NOW ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10011714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLawrenceville, AL
STEERING
RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT- WAS LATER A RECALL. HEAD GASKET CRACKED LEAKING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. AIRBAG RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10069314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Liberty, IN
STEERING
IN FEBRUARY, I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER TO THE DEALER FOR THE BEARING RECALL IN FEB OF 2003, AFTER THAT I HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING LEFT MY STEERING GETS HARD AND HAVE NO CONTROL, I HAD THE RACK CHANGED, IN JULY OF 2003 IT WORKED FINE UP TILL SAT. JAN 10, 2004 I HAD NO CONTROL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT IT WAS LIKE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AND IT STILL DOES IT, AND IM AFRAID THAT IT COULD INJURE MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I SAW THE RECALL THAT GM WAS DOING AND THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE MY PROBLEM AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10052990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesOdessa, TXCrash1 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. RECALL NO. # 02V286000, SUBJECT: POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO COLLIDE WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER. THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE OTHER DRIVER BOTH SUFFERED WHIPLASH.
NHTSA complaint #10047850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, INCrash1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
LOSS OF STEERING AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE VEHICLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. REGARDING JANNIE WELCH.*MR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND WAS REPAIR BY THE DEALER ON OCT. 7, 1998. THE VEHICLE TAPE PLAYER SOUNDED GARBLED AND THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT VERY LOUD. THE HORN WIRE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. A LEAKING SEAL WITHIN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT CAUSED A WHINING SOUND. (BRADLEY BANKS ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, AL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER NOTICED A POPPING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL DID A 360* TURN WHILE STILL TRAVELING , AND VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO STEERING RACK IN PINION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10040505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ON APRIL 23, 2003 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALLS. THE FIRST WAS RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND WAS RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, DEALER DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10031636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Collinwood, TNCrash1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHEN MY CAR FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, THE STEERING WOULD KIND OF HANG WHEN TURING TO THE LEFT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HELPED IT SOME. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY FRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL HUNG AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT BUT I WAS WRONG. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT SENDING US OFF THE ROAD RIGHT INTO A TREE AT ABOUT 30 M\P\H. MY FRIEND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS HIP AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I NEVER GOT THE RECALL STATEMENT AND HAVE YET TO. GM HAS NOW SAID THEY WILL NOT COMPINSATE ME OR MY FRIEND FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #10029139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Collinwood, TNCrash1 injured
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN MY CAR FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, THE STEERING WOULD KIND OF HANG WHEN TURING TO THE LEFT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HELPED IT SOME. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY FRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL HUNG AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT BUT I WAS WRONG. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT SENDING US OFF THE ROAD RIGHT INTO A TREE AT ABOUT 30 M\P\H. MY FRIEND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS HIP AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I NEVER GOT THE RECALL STATEMENT AND HAVE YET TO. GM HAS NOW SAID THEY WILL NOT COMPINSATE ME OR MY FRIEND FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #10029139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesHarrison, OHCrash
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION FAILURE. WHILE TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MY 17 YEAR OLDS 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER STEERING LOCKED, MAKIING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY SHE ONLY GRAZED THE GAURD RAIL BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A FATAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10028950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Little Rock, ARCrash
STEERING:COLUMN
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT, CAUSING VEHICLE TTO RAVEL TO THE RIGHT AND RUN INTO A TREE.
NHTSA complaint #10026762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burgaw, NC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL#02V286000. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS INTERMITTENT, AND PLACED AN AXLE ON THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS THE RACK AND PINION. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.