FaultScore

Chevrolet Cavalier body problems

214 of the 6,452 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cavalier are about the body and structure — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

214

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

4

Fires

Body & Structure complaints by model year

1986 Cavalier 1 0.5%
1987 Cavalier 1 0.5%
1989 Cavalier 5 2.3%
1990 Cavalier 1 0.5%
1991 Cavalier 1 0.5%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1992 Cavalier 6 2.8%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

1993 Cavalier 9 4.2%
1994 Cavalier 13 6.1%

Median failure at 98,200 miles

1995 Cavalier 12 5.6%

Median failure at 66,406 miles

1996 Cavalier 14 6.5%

Median failure at 106,000 miles

1997 Cavalier 22 10.3%

Median failure at 127,500 miles

1998 Cavalier 31 14.5%

Median failure at 138,300 miles

1999 Cavalier 10 4.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2000 Cavalier 27 12.6%

Median failure at 64,940 miles

2001 Cavalier 14 6.5%

Median failure at 82,350 miles

2002 Cavalier 9 4.2%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2003 Cavalier 11 5.1%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2004 Cavalier 13 6.1%

Median failure at 51,543 miles

2005 Cavalier 14 6.5%

Median failure at 35,500 miles

What owners said

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier at 200,000 miles Tacoma, WA Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE

NHTSA complaint #11072678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier at 195,000 miles Columbus, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HEARD VIBRATION BY THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED I COULD ACTUALLY MOVE (WOBBLE) THE WHEEL, IT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME ACCORDING TO 3 CAR SHOPS. I EVEN TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY CORRODED, THERE ARE PARTS OF THE UNIBODY FRAME THAT ARE JUST MISSING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, BUT DUE TO THE FRAME ISSUE ITS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAY TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. ANY RECALLS ON THE 1998 CAVALIER?

NHTSA complaint #11020957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at 60,000 miles Richmond, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ UPDATED 7/3/18*JB

NHTSA complaint #10924264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 80,000 miles Montgomery, AL

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DISINTEGRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.UPDATED 10/13/16

NHTSA complaint #10896501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier at 90,000 miles West Monroe, LA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE WHOLE FRONT DASH HAS MANY CRACKS IN IT AND APPEARS TO BE DANGER SINCE PIECES ARE FLYING OFF AS I DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10874074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Bath, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON FOR THE SAME ISSUE, SUPPOSEDLY THE "AIR INTAKE TEMP SENSOR, REPLACED THAT ONE AND SEVERAL SENSORS REPEATEDLY, HAD THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS CHECKED AND CLEANED, EVEN REPLACED MY ECM AND BCM [NEITHER OF WHICH WAS CHEAP], AND STILL HAS "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, EVEN AFTER BEING "CLEARED" OVER AND OVER AGAIN -- THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE BODY AND SUB-FRAME ARE SEVERELY ROTTING OUT LEFT AND RIGHT -- HAD A WEIRD LEAK ON THE PASS. SIDE FRONT, UNDER THE DASH. IT COMES AND GOES. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE AN OLD SNEAKER INSIDE. WATER WOULD POUR OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATER DUCT, BUT THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. ONE I EVEN HAD SOAP FOAM FROM A DRIVE THRU CAR WASH LITERALLY COME BLOWING IN TO THE CABIN, THRU THE VERY SAME HEATER DUCT. THANKFULLY IT HAS SEEMINGLY CLEARED UP, BUT IT IS STILL A HEAD SCRATCHER. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, PRIVATELY OWNED SHOPS, AND EVEN HAD SOME "CAR SAVVY" FRIENDS LOOK HER OVER, AS WELL AS MY DAD [ANDS ASE CERTIFIED TECH], AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES BACK EVERY TIME. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN I'D PUT THIS MUCH MONEY INTO A CAR THAT LITERALLY READY TO BREAK APART, I WOULD HAVE SAVED MY MONEY TO PUT TOWARDS ANOTHER CAR. LIVE AND LEARN, I GUESS. SHE WAS DOING SO WELL FOR 10 OR 11 YEARS AND IT'S LIKE SHE JUST STARTED "GIVING UP" ON ME. SHE'S GOT 165K ON HER AND THE PAIN HAS GONE TO CRAP, BUT THAT'S GM FOR YOU, KEPT HER GARAGED, WAXED REGULARLY, HAD HER LOOKING SHOWROOM NEW, UNTIL RECENTLY, THE PAINT'S CLEAR COAT STARTED TO "STIPPLE" [SHARP BUMPS] AND BUBBLE ALL OVER TOP PANELS, STARTING WITH THE ROOF, THEN HOOD, AND NOW TRUNK. IT'S EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE HER, AND I AM NOT PAYING TO REPAINT HER, I ALREADY HAVE WAY TOO MUCH INTO A CAR THAT LIKELY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION COMING UP IN AUGUST. I'M NOW HANDICAP'D AND DISABLED, FIXED INCOME, CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10863655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Post Falls, ID

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON OCTOBER 1ST 2015 WE WERE STOPPED FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGHWAY. AT THAT TIME WE WERE REAR ENDED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER. IMPACT WAS ON THE BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE. ON IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE AND SLAMMED ME FORWARD THEN BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION. I WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE.I WAS IN PT FOR 6 WEEKS. ALSO AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10837372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 200,000 miles Toronto, OH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

I HAVE NOTICED A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT OF THESE CAVALIERS HAVE HAD HORRIBLE FRAME PROBLEMS I USE TO WORK ON CARS EVERYDAY UNTIL THE LAST YEAR WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE MECHANICS FIELD AN NOW I OWN A 03 CHEVY CAVALIER ITS A TWO DOOR 5 SPEED 2.2 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE STORE AND I FELT SOMETHING RUBBING SO I STOPPED AN GOT OUT TO FIND OUT MY K FRAME WAS HORRIBLY ROTTED AN BROKE NOW THIS VEHICLE IS 13 YEARS OLD BUT AS ROTTED OUT AS IT WAS IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED ITS BEEN BAD I WAS JUST THE LUCKY OWNER THAT THE FRAME GAVE OUT ON AN I DEMAND TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL ANOTHER THING IS I OWNED A 98 FORD F150 WHICH HAD RECALLS AN WHEN I WAS SENT THE LETTER ABOUT THE RECALLS I ASKED FORD WHY THE FRAMES ON THE F150 OR RANGER WASN'T A RECALL THEY HAD NO ANSWER. I PUT MY CHILD IN THESE AUTO MAKERS CARS AND TRUST THEIR WORK TO KEEP HIM SAFE BUT THEY HAVE NO ANSWER FOR WHY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PART ON THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS FALLING APART. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY NEED TO USE STAINLESS STEEL, ALUMINUM, OR WHAT BUT IT NEEDS FIXED OR THE VEHICLES NEED REIMBURSED AN CRUSHED. I COULD OF BEEN DOING 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WOMAN AN SON IN THE CAR AN THE FRAME COULD OF WENT AND KILLED US ALL. IS THAT WHAT ITS GONNA TAKE TO GET THIS [XXX] FIXED SOMEONE ELSE TO DIE/HURT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10825225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier York Springs, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

REPORTING THIS AS A DEFECT ON CAR LIST ABOVE .I'M PA. STATE INSPECTION STATION. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY WE SEE AND REJECT FOR RUST OUT UNIT BODY REAR FRAMES . I FEEL THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEY OWN ONE THESE MODELS CAR COULD BUCKLE ON A REAR END COLLISION. I DID NOT SEE THIS ON YOUR SITE TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED THANKS KEN AT C&W PERFORMANCE PA. STATION # E7 .

NHTSA complaint #10764097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Zephyrhills, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DASHBOARD PIECES HAVE STARTED TO CRACK BAD. I REPLACED THE CONSOLE PIECE BUT THEY DONT MAKE A REPLACEMENT FOR THE STRIP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD. ITS GOT CHUNKS MISSING OUT OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10762383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier at 63,087 miles Margate, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE GARNISH MOLDING-WINDSHIELD PILLAR-DRIVER'S SIDE FELL PARTLY OFF BLOCKING MY VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. IT WAS NEVER TOUCHED AND FOR NO REASON IT FELL OFF AND TO THIS DAY I AM UNABLE TO REATTACH IT..

NHTSA complaint #10733490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier at 96,000 miles Lakeland, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED CAUSING SHARP EDGES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS WERE NEAR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #10725682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier at 125,000 miles Constantia, NY Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

I LEFT THE VEHICLE RUNNING IN DRIVEWAY FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. VEHICLE WAS FULL OF BLACK SMOKE AND WITHIN MINUTES WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10694745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 189,587 miles Wewahitchka, FL Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

POWER SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL, WHICH MADE ME WRECK INTO A DITCH. IT ALSO CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AND PREVENTED SEATBELTS FROM LOCKING INTO PLACE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HIT.

NHTSA complaint #10680126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier at 92,000 miles Foxboro, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED I HAVE LEARNED SINCE THEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CHEVROLET CAVALIERS AND I WORRY THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT MY AIRBAGS WONT PROPERLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD. NOW MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE LEAKS CAUSED BY THE CRACKING.

NHTSA complaint #10639178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Newellton, LA

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE SAFETY RELATED. ONE MORE SO THAN THE OTHER. THE INSTRUMENTS, NONE OF THEM WORK, BUT MOST IMPORTANT IS THE SPEEDOMETER. IT STARTED HANGING UP, THEN FINALLY HUNG ALL THE WAY AT 120 MPH. I HAVE TO USE A GPS TO MAKE SURE OF MY SPEED. GM IS REPLACING OTHER VEHICLES CLUSTERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT I HAVE AN IDEA THEY'RE SKIPPING THE CAVALIER FOR THE OTHER REASON OF MY COMPLAINT. THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY FALLING APART. I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT MAY TRY TO FALL ON MY LAP, ITS CRACKED UP SO BAD AND RATTLES TERRIBLY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BUST ALL TO PIECES IN A COLLISION. I CAN'T EVEN TOUCH THE CLUSTER BEZEL WITHOUT IT CRACKING. IT SCARES ME. COULD YOU AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND? THANK YOU!

NHTSA complaint #10622390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier at 130,000 miles Lebanon, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS CHANGING THE OIL SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA complaint #10578453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at 109,801 miles Glendale, WI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

ON OR ABOUT MARCH 8TH, 2014, I NOTICED THAT HOLES HAD APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE BOTTOM AND WHEN I WENT TO FURTHER EXAM THE HOLE, I THEN REALIZED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE SHEET METAL ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS AND THE HOLE HAS BECOME MUCH LARGER IN SIZE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT PRETTY STRONGLY. THE INSIDE FLOOR OF THE CAR FEELS SQUISHY LIKE THE FLOOR IS GOING TO FALL OUT. HIGHER SPEEDS SEEM TO MAKE MORE SHEET METAL FALL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10573211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier at 136,614 miles Laura, IL

STRUCTURE

THE WEATHER WAS IN THE 10S AND SINGLE DIGITS. I WAS TRAVELING IN PAIR, WE DID NOT EXCEED 35 MILES AN HOUR AS VISIBILITY WAS VERY POOR DUE TO SNOW AND WINDS. I NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER WAS ACCELERATING, BELIEVED MY TIRES WERE SPINNING ON ICE. I COME TO A STOP AND REALIZED MY SPEEDOMETER WAS STILL GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME FOLLOWING MY FRIEND WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY FOLLOWING ME. THE MPH NEEDLE MADE ITS WAY TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN. I WOULDN'T HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN IF OTHER CHEVY CAVALIER OWNERS HAD TOLD ME TO, BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM TOO. I AM A NEW OWNER OF THIS CAR, BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP SO I DON'T KNOW THAT HOW WELL TAKEN CARE OF THIS CAR WAS. I PRIDE MYSELF IN TAKING EXTRA CAR OF MY VEHICLES. I DO NOT THINK THE SPEEDOMETER SHOULD HAVE FAILED UNLESS IT WAS BECAUSE OF OPERATOR MISUSE, AND I HAVE NOT MISUSED MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10560875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier at 64,000 miles Athol, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 2002 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS IN FOR FRONT BRAKES....MECHANIC PHONED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR (2002) AND MILEAGE (64,500) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I TOLD GM THAT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. STILL THEY TOLD ME NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE OTHER FOLKS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS TO CONTACT NHTSA. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF CAR. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IF NOT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10549827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Cavalier problems