46 of the
751 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
76,000 miles.
A
46
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Windshield Wiper/Washer
1328.3%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
613.0%
Glass, Side/Rear
613.0%
Exterior
510.9%
Motor
510.9%
Windshield
36.5%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
24.3%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
12.2%
Interior
12.2%
Linkages
12.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Chevrolet Cavalier year
MY REAR DEFROST QUIT WORKING AND I WENT AND CHECKED SOME OF THE CONNECTIONS. THE CONNECTION UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN MELTED, WITH THE PLASTIC SHOWING EVIDENCE OF BEING MELTED. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS IT IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU CHECK GM CARS PONTIAC, AND GM SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON BASED OFF THE FORUMS AND YOU TUBE VIDEO'S. IT APPEARS IN IMPALA, CAVALIER, SUNFIRE, AND THIS ISN'T AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS AND GM ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10652496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY REAR DEFROST QUIT WORKING AND I WENT AND CHECKED SOME OF THE CONNECTIONS. THE CONNECTION UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN MELTED, WITH THE PLASTIC SHOWING EVIDENCE OF BEING MELTED. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS IT IS A PROBLEM. IF YOU CHECK GM CARS PONTIAC, AND GM SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON BASED OFF THE FORUMS AND YOU TUBE VIDEO'S. IT APPEARS IN IMPALA, CAVALIER, SUNFIRE, AND THIS ISN'T AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS AND GM ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10652496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesWonder Lake, IL
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOUDY UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE GEAR WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AFTER IT WAS STARTED. IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS THE CONTACT HAD TO BANG ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE MECHANISMS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10377040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haslett, MI
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *NJ AN INSPECTION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #10239352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesFoster, OR
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAVE A 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER CONVERTIBLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IN 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW QUITE WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10125045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drums, PA
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
INCIDENT TO REPORT: 97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER BACK WINDOW CRACKED WHEN CLOSED DOOR. THIS RESULTED IN BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER MY INFANT'S CAR SIT AND TOYS. IF MY INFANT WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, SHE WOULD HAVE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10107803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesPort Jervis, NY
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
MY DRIVER WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK AND FELL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR-THE GLASS DIDNT BRAKE BUT IT FELL FOR NO REASON-IT COULD HAVE SHATTERED-IS THIS A COMMON OCCURANCE??ITS A 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER-2 DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10086987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesWoodbury, CT
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10022930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,844 milesJohnstown, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, THEY STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THIS POSES A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10008050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WIPERS ON VEHICLE ARE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THE WIPERS WORK IN RAIN, BUT WHEN TURNED OFF, THEY STOP RIGHT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, IMPAIRING DRIVERS VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Britain, CT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #565758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mayfield Heights, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, CAUSING WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERABLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8014484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ABOUT 1-2 MONTHS AGO MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND SHE SAID THAT ALL OF THE SYSTEMS(I.E. WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES, INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS, ETC.) STARTED GOING OFF ALL AT ONCE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD'T PUSH IN, THERE WAS A LOUD BUXXING NOISE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ALONG (SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO PLAY A ROLE) AND THE CAR WILL REACT IN A SIMILAR MANNER AND STOP RUNNING. AFTER THIS HAPPENS, IT CAN TAKE US UP TO 10-15 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. JUST THIS MORNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND IF THE TRUCK BEHIND US HAD NOT SWERVED AS IT DID, IT WOULD HAVE TOTALLED OUR CAR. WE THEN SPENT ALMOST 20 MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO START OUR CAR.(THIS WAS SUBMITTED BY BRIAN QUINNEY - HUSBAND OF SAID OWNER).
NHTSA complaint #764152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS UP, THE SUPPORT MECHANISM CAN NOT SUPPORT THE WINDOWS AND THE CLIPS EVENTUALLY BREAK. CHEVROLET WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO THE OWNERS TO LOWER THE WINDOWS OR DEVELOP A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS PRESSURE CAN ALSO PUT STRESS ON THE WINDOW AUTOMATIC MOTORS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #761227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, SC
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANS, AND SHE HAD JUST PEPLACED HER TRANSMISSION. ALSO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE MOTOR IS GONE IN THE WINDOW. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE WINDOWS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF IT COULD BE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE MONEY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #760342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. LAST WINTER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON DURING A SNOW STORM WIPERS WERE STUCK ON WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #895422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Arthu, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARM DOES NOT PARK IN THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF, THE WIPERS WOULD REMAIN IN UPRIGHT POSITION DISTRACTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW, DELAY FEATURE STOPS AT A HIGHER PAUSE LEVEL, ON ONE OCCASION WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY, DEALER STATES THE ARM WAS DISENGAGED CAUSING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #561595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Arthu, TX
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
BACK GLASS LEAKING DUE TO URETHANE NOT ATTACHED TO BODY OF VEHICLE IN LEFT UPPER CORNER AT TIME OF INSTALLATION.
NHTSA complaint #561595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Accoville, WV
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHENEVER SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT RETURN TO DOWN POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FOR REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER .
NHTSA complaint #889988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manahawkin, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSTION, COOLANT LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #744848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION. IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. I HAVE ERAD SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #744199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powderly, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AFTER BEING TURNED OFF, STAY UP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER HAS REDUCED VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #886475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, HORN WAS BLOWING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUTSIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEREFORE, THEY WOULDN'T BE LIABLE. ALLSTATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOOK ONE LOOK,AND COULD TELL IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CHEVROLET DEALER WAS NOT RESPONDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. VEHICLE WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAD REPLACED THE OIL PUMP, SOLENOID, AND EXHAUST HOWEVER LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SKIPS AND CHATTERS ACROSS WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BLADE. TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE LEVER, COMPARTMENT LID RELEASE BROKE. CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pullman, WA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE LEFT WITH LIMITED FIELD OF VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD WIPERS BLOCK DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE ONCOMING CARS, CREATE BLINDSPOTS, AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #741401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon Lake, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
HORN WAS INOPERABLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM IF NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, WINDSHIELD HAS SPOTS ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK RUBBER COVER ON ACCELERATOR REFUSES TO STAY ON.
NHTSA complaint #878778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elroy, WI
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO RODENTS ACCESSING THE AIR CONDITIONING /HEATING SYSTEM, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM DUE TO NESTING AND DEAD RODENTS, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE AND PREVENTED THE AIR CONDITIONER FROM FUNCTIONING, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE STRUCTURE OR VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PASSAGE TO THE INTERIOR SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edwardsville, IL
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR WINDOW DISLODGED & FLEW OUT OF THE BACK WHILE DRIVING 45MPH. ADHESIVE HAD MELTED FROM THE HEAT & MADE THE REAR WINDOW LOOSE. HAVE TAKEN PICTURES. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #871989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trenton, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #715565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
BATTERY LEAKED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF/WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER MOTOR BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
BATTERY LEAKED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF/WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER MOTOR BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.