322 of the 6,452 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cavalier are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
322
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
9
Crashes
5
Fires
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TAKATA RECALL WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKEN WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A RAINY DAY AND MY CAR STALLS EVERYDAY WHILE AT LIGHT EVEN SHUTS OFF IF I'M AT LIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11080397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP. THE REAR-DRIVER-SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK WILL NOT ROLL DOWN WILL NOT ROLL UP.
NHTSA complaint #10706544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
VISIBILITY
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS 20-30 MPH WITH FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON,IT BECAME MORE,AND MORE EVIDENT OF A POSSIBLE FIRE. FIRST THERE WAS AN INCREASING BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. A CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANEL HAS MELTED BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CARPET ITS POSSIBLE THAT IT BEING WINTER MOISTURE FROM MELTED SNOW SOMEHOW MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN, A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SEEMS TO PULL MULTIPLE CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I WANT TO NOTE THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF MY REAR DEFROSTED WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH, I HAD TO PULL THE 30 AMP FUSE THAT STILL HAD A COMPLETE CIRCUIT IN IT!
NHTSA complaint #10555521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HOOD FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10534953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1ST ISSUE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING OFF & ON. IT SHOWS GOING MUCH FASTER THAN CAR REALLY IS GOING. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. 2ND ISSUE WAS WARNING LIGHT WHICH A STATION TOLD ME THAT THE CODE IS FOR A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL LINE, IT SHOWS A MAJOR LEAK, BUT REPAIRMEN COULD FIND NO REAL LEAK. WARNING LIGHT DOES GO OFF & ON, SO NOT ON ALL THE TIME. 3RD ISSUE WAS OFF & ON THE FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOWS START ROLLING DOWN OR UP AND THEN JUST QUIT, BUT START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE A COUPLE TIMES. 4TH ISSUE WAS THE RPM METER STARTED DOING WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER HAD BEEN DOING. 5TH ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING. THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT HASN'T "FIXED" ITSELF. ALL THE OTHERS ARE OFF & ON WORKING OR NOT WORKING. THE WIPER WAS THE LATEST INCIDENT WITH ALL OF THEM STARTING IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10491647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THREE OF THE FOUR POWER WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE FOURTH WINDOW BARELY WORKS.
NHTSA complaint #10458515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS COULD ONLY BE CLOSED PARTIALLY. THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE DOOR MOTOR AND REGULATOR. THE MOTORS AND THE REGULATORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10442249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS DON'T WORK . THE GAUGES DON'T WORK ONLY GAUGE THAT'S WORKS IS THE TACHOMETER FROM MY RESEARCH THESE ARE TWO COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE CAVALIERS THE WINDOWS IS MORE OF A CONVENIENCE PROBLEM BUT THE GAUGES NOT WORKING IS A SAFETY PROBLEM CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10435290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
MULTIPLE TIMES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD NOT FLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WOULD FILL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TANK SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. FINALLY, I NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUIDS TUBING INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WAS FLAWED. THE TUBING IS ROUTED SO THAT IT PASSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK AND SEATS UP AGAINST THE HOT CAR BATTERY. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE TUBING APPARENTLY HAD ROTTED AND MELTED, AND IT CREATED A HUGE HOLE IN THE TUBING. I DO NOT KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DECIDED TO PASS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, AND SEAT THIS TUBING UP AGAINST THE BATTERY, AND THEN GO DOWN AGAIN, AND FINALLY FIT INTO THE BOTTOM VALVE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK, BUT IT SEEMS POINTLESS AND STUPID AND A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW!!! NOW, I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS TUBING REPAIRED AND PROBABLY REROUTED THE SIMPLER ROUTE, WHICH WOULD ALLOW IT TO BYPASS THE BATTERY, COMPLETELY, INSTEAD OF PRACTICALLY WRAPPING IT AROUND THE BATTERY!!!
NHTSA complaint #10425297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SEE BLACK SMOKE COMING THE VENTS. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SIDE SHOULDER AND SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 3/29/12
NHTSA complaint #10421039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER/POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTION ....OWNED FOR 4 MONTHS, LET THE WINDOW DOWN ONE DAY AT A DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT AS USUAL AND THE WINDOW JUST STOPPED AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN...STILL TO THIS DAY IT IS STILL STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION..SO NOW EVERYWHERE MY FAMILY AND I GO WE'RE AT RISK OF OUR BEING BURGLARIZED BECAUSE THE CAR'S INTERIOR IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE..THE WINDOW WAS AN ISSUE WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE USED CAR THRU CARS AND TRUCKS IN MORROW, GA AND THEY AGREED TO FIX IT AND NEVER DID..SO CALLED CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THAT CAN BE REPAIRED FOR $120..WHICH I DON'T HAVE..IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS..RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BOTH POSE SAFETY PROBLEMS TO MY FAMILY AND I..THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT'S JUST GOT TOO MANY PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO ME AS A CONSUMER TO BE SAFETY VIOLATIONS THAT ARE JUST BEING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG..
NHTSA complaint #10402145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE DEFROST WOULDN'T WORK WHEN REALLY RAINY OR COLD AND THIS STARTED IN WINTER OF 2009. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE AC WORKED ONLY WHEN FAN WAS ON MED OR HIGH, BUT FINALLY ONLY ON HIGH. THESE WERE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS: AC DUE TO BLOWER RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND DEFROST CAUSED BY A RESISTOR BURNED OUT. AC STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. IF THIS WASN'T FIXED ANY SOONER COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE I'M SURE. NOW I HAVE TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW THAT I HAVE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. WITH THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAD NO SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. O2 SENSOR REPLACED @ 68,000 AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED @ 56,000 AND THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10372414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
2003 CAVALIER, THE DEFROSTER KNOB CABLE HAS GONE BAD 2X'S BEFORE IT IS GONE AGAIN, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WENT LAST YEAR, LAST MONTH THE FUEL PUMP WENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR IS GOING, THE SPEEDOMETER IS MESSED UP ALONG WITH THE TACK, IT STICKS. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR JUST TURNED 17, THE SPEEDOMETER SAID SHE WAS GOING 105, WHEN SHE SHUTS THE CAR OFF IT SAYS SHE'S STILL DOING 35, AT TIMES THE CAR WONT START, DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY, THIS IS BS, THERE IS ONLY 72000 MILES ON IT, GM NEEDS TO START FIXING THESE PROBLEMS, SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10357087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED THEY WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW FAILURE, WINDOWS STUCK, REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR 2 TIMES, FAILURE AGAIN, UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE WINDOWS, GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10340252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2004 CAVALIER. SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE DRIVERS WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. I HAD A WARRANTY AND REPLACED IT. IT STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK I COULD HEAR AIR COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW, BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY GAPS. EVENTUALLY NOTICED THE WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK. MY GUESS IS POOR FIXING BY THE DEALERSHIP. ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER (MY WARRANTY IS UP) THE DRIVERS WINDOW QUIT WORKING AGAIN. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THE POURING RAIN WITH MY WINDOW DOWN. WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH RAIN THE ROADS ARE FLOODING THUS SENDING TONS OF WATER INTO MY CAR BY PASSING CARS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE. GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD OF MAKING THE CUSTOMERS PAY.
NHTSA complaint #10339473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.