20 of the
447 complaints about the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier are about the
lighting — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
57,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the interior passenger side directional signal began blinking rapidly while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that an onlooker observed that the exterior driver side indicator light was not illuminated when indicator was activated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior lighter fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the weather was cooler, the exterior indicator light was experiencing the failure; however, during warmer weather, the indicator lights operated properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
NHTSA complaint #11511963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10850852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesLake Havasu City, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FIRST DRIVER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL BLINKED RAPIDLY, THEN BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN LIGHT CEASED TO WORK. WHEN CHECKED, THE LIGHT AND LENS WERE FUSED (MELTED) TOGETHER. AS WELL DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CEASED TO WORK. MECHANIC STATED ITS ELECTRICAL AND ADVISED I CHECK RECALLS.ALSO SOMETIMES GAS PEDAL ACCELERATES WITHOUT PRESSURE FROM ME. NO CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN OR WHY...JUST OCCASIONALLY HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10483900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesAtlanta, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PURCHASED USED 2000 CAVALIER IN 2006. FIRST PROBLEM (WHICH HAS CONTINUED FOR 5 YEARS) IS THAT THE SERVICE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS CRANKED UNLESS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FIRST TURNED ON. IF YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. IT WILL NOT GO OFF UNLESS YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT (WITH HEADLIGHTS ON). SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT FUEL HAND DOES NOT REFLECT ACCURATE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN TANK. IT GOES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING (WITH THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT ON). OR SOMETIMES IT IS STUCK ON E OR STUCK ON F REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIRD PROBLEM IS THAT CAR INTERMITTENTLY OVERHEATS AND IS ALWAYS LOSING COOLANT. I HAVE REPLACED THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, & RADIATOR. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS CANNOT FIND A LEAK IN THE COOLING SYSTEM (DESPITE PRESSURE TESTING, COMPRESSION TESTING, & BLOCK TESTING). WE ARE BAFFLED WHY IT CANNOT RETAIN CONSTANT COOLANT LEVELS. THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING SITUATION AS I AM LEFT WITHOUT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.
NHTSA complaint #10390337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR LIGHT OF A 2000 CHEVY CAVALIER, COMES ON AND FLICKERS OFF, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT TIME. IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10163249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesPanama City, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2000 CHEVY CAVALIER HAVE FAILED. AS A RESULT SHE HAS NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. PER LOCAL DEALER THE LIGHTS ARE "WIRED INTO THE COMPUTER AND DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS CANNOT BE BYPASSED SO THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WORK." PER THE DEALER THE SOLUTION IS THE REPLACEMENT OF A COMPUTER MODULE AT A COST OF $500.00. AS HEADLIGHTS ARE A SAFETY REQUIREMENT I FEEL THAT WHATEVER STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OPERABLE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GENERAL MOTORS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT A MANDATORY ITEM IN THE USA.
NHTSA complaint #10147488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethel, CTCrashFire1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2 CAR VEHICLE COLLISION-SEE POLICE REPORT. ON THE ABOVE DATE AND TIME, THE BETHEL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE INTERSECTION OF RESERVOIR ST AND GRASSY PLAIN STREET FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. UPON ARRIVAL A TWO CAR MVA WAS DISCOVERED WITH A SMALL VEHICLE FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY THE BETHEL PD. BETHEL CAR ONE, PETE HOLMBERG, REQUESTED THIS FIRE MARSHAL DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPON MY EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, I OBSERVED THE FRONT END OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLE WITH MODERATE FRONT-END DAMAGE. THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY AREA DID SUSTAIN SOME MELTING AND BURNING TO THE REAR OF THE UNIT. THE LEFT FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE BULBS FOR EACH UNIT WERE CONNECTED TO THE WIRING/SOCKET AREA. THE IMPACT OF THE COLLISION CAUSED THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE BULB TO BREAK AND DISLODGE THE BULB FROM THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE BULBS WERE PART OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM; THEREFORE THEY WERE ON AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE HEAT FROM THE BULB IGNITED THE PLASTIC WIRING HARNESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (SEE PHOTO #7). THE HEAT FROM THE BULB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IGNITED THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (SEE PHOTO #5). THE FIRE CAUSED MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE HAS BEEN RULED ACCIDENTAL CAUSED BY A BREAK IN THE PLASTIC RETENTION CLIP FOR THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY LOOSENING THE BULB FROM ITS PROPER PLACEMENT AND THEN TOUCHING COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS AND IGNITING.
NHTSA complaint #10133707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,917 milesMount Vernon, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 2917 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM AT 6237 MILES THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A STRUT MOUNT AND A BEARING PLATE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE O2 SENSOR AND STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10109484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesLomita, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DIDN'T FUNCTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. VEHICLE HAD TO SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. FOUR MECHANICS HAVE SERVICED THIS VEHICLE,BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10091889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,074 milesSAN Antonio, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STARTING UP AS WELL AS GETTING THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE IGNITION FAILURE MAY HAVE ALSO CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE HIGH CURRENT COULD PRODUCE ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED SMOKING AND A BURNING SMELL AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $270. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE IGNITION RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10083726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT STEERING COLUMN PRODUCED A POPPING SOUND. AS A RESULT, TURN SIGNALS FAILED, AND HEADLIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10075844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT STEERING COLUMN PRODUCED A POPPING SOUND. AS A RESULT, TURN SIGNALS FAILED, AND HEADLIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10075844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,500 milesPoteau, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
POPPING SOUND AND FEEL WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN WORKED ON TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM; INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN OPENING DRIVERS DOOR; TOP PORTION OF DASH IS SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE; MAKES LOTS OF CRACKLING NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #10045236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,700 milesOoltewah, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HIGH BEAMS & DRL'S STOPPED WORKING, CHECKED FUSES, NONE BLOWN. TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND THAT BATTERY THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR LEAKING, WAS AGAIN LEAKING. THE ACID DAMAGED HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS MAKING DRL'S AND HIGH BEAMS NON-FUNCTIONAL. DEALER SAYS BATTERY HAS NO WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH BATTERY STATES 5 YEAR WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10043451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,734 milesUnion City, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH ON. HEADLIGHTS FLASHED ON/OFF 4 TIMES OR THER WAS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE THIS MIGHT BE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10034327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT COMES ON, ON DASH CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.WHEN HE WAS ON VACATION,RADIATOR HOSE BUSTED. WHEN HE RETURNED HOME , HE WENT TO THE DEALER, AND WAS REIMBURSED SOME OF HIS MONEY BACK BY THE DEALER. ALSO, WAS TOLD BY DEALER WHEN DASH LIGHT INDICATOR THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10001081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DASH LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #8012765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mchenry, IL
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT, ALSO WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED 4 TIMES, BUT IT HAS REOCCURRED.*AK.CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND BELLS TING AT 65 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #8005735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Valley, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
THE CAR HAS REPEATLY REFUSED TO CHANGE OUT OF 2ND GEAR, ONE OCCASION I WAS GOING AROUND 47 MILES PER HOUR AND THE JUST STOP MOVING THE RPM'S READ AROUND 4 THE, AND THE CAR READ ABOUT 45 MLES PER HOUR BUT IT WAS NOT MVING. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD NO IDEA WHY I STOPPED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATLY AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE HWY WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ANYONE BEHIND ME ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME WE GET IN THE VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE FRM BEHIND DID HIT ME THEY WOULD THINK IT WAS ALL THERE FAULT BECUASE THE RE-ENDED ME. THE CAR CAN BE GOING OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR ONE MOMENT AND BACK DOWN TO 30 THE NEXT MOMENT. I DO NOT FEEL SAVE IN THIS VEHICLE, NOR DO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WITH AND THOSE THAT HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR THEMSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #721214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uxbridge, MA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL & TRANSMISSION LEAK. NOTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY IN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, ALSO, TRANSAXLE WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. WAITING TO RECEIVE A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM MICHIGAN TO REPLACE ORIGINAL.
NHTSA complaint #856968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.