33 of the 6,452 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cavalier are about the wheels — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.
33
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
WHEELS
THE STARTER WENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT DID TIRES START RUBBING THE SUCKS WENT OUT MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AND A SECOND TIME START RUBBING I END UP BUYING THREE TIMES CUZ THEY GOT BALL REAL FAST THE WIRING UNDER THE ENGINE RIPPED APART AND NOW IT'S THREW A ROD.
NHTSA complaint #11327511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
WHILE PUMPING MY TIRES WITH AIR I NOTICED MY TWO BACK TIRES (A DIFFERENT BRAND FROM THE TWO FRONT TIRES) HAD CRACKING IN BETWEEN THE TREADS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HERE IS TIRE INFORMATION (AND DESIGNATIONS) AS DESIGNATED ON THE SIDEWALL: REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE: ACHILES PLATINUM MADE IN INDONESIA (5N1) MANUFACTURED BY MULTI STRADA ARAHSARANA TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RADIAL 195/70 R1491H MOLD NO. 03-02 E4 (ENCIRCLED) 0228041 DOT 5KJN HP 3606 THREAD: 1 POLYESTER, 2 STEEL, 2 NYLON; SIDEWALL 1 POLYESTER THREADWEAR 280 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A ODDLY ENOUGH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEEMS TO MATCH THE ABOVE INFORMATION WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS: THREADWEAR 420 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A MOLD NO. 03-03 WE BOUGHT TIRES FROM FIGUEROA TIRES IN LOS BANOS. WE DON'T HAVE A RECEIPT TO CONFIRM THIS. THESE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BEFORE 04/29/10 SINCE WE DID FIND A SERVICE ORDER RECEIPT FROM WALMART TIRE & LUBE EXPRESS DATED 04/29/10 THAT STATES IN THE TPMS AND TIRE DISCLAIMER RECEIPT: ACTIONS: REPLACE ONE OR MORE OF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE...REASONS: VISIBLE TIRE CUT, PUNCTURE, BALD SPOT, OR OTHER IRREGULARITY.
NHTSA complaint #10668234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARK CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE PERPENDICULAR ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOOKED DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #10514223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON TO A STREET AND I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THEN THE CAR JUST CAME TO A STOP. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RIM WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. THIS CAUSED MY AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10511668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JULY 24, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,656. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ A BROKEN WHEEL STUD AND NUT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10197342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER
3 MONTHS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006, I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY HAD STOPPED FROM 45 MPH, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL TIGHT. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL HAD BUSTED OUT. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SLIDING ON THE CONTROL ARM AND THE FENDER, DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER COVER HAD BEEN DAMAGED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE PADS AND LOWER BALL JOINT JUST TO GET THE CAR MOBILE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS DRIVEN THE SAME SINCE THIS HAD HAPPENED, SO I AM SURE THAT A LOT MORE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED IN THE FRONT DRIVETRAIN, BUT CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED FAIRWAY CHEVROLET IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL MUST HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY A POT HOLE OR SOMETHING. BEING THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT HAD BROKE OFF THE CAR, I ASSUMED THAT MAYBE THAT IS CORRECT INFORMATION UNTIL NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006. I WAS DRIVING AND FELT THE SAME VIBRATION FROM 3 MONTHS EARLIER. I CAREFULLY CAME TO A STOP AND INSPECTED THE CAR. NOW, MY PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL WAS ONLY SECONDS FROM BUSTING OFF THE CAR. THIS TIME THE WHEEL IS PERFECT CONDITION, MEANING NO SIGNS OF POT HOLE DAMAGE. AMERICAN TIRE IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA REPLACED THE WHEEL AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A WHEEL BUST APART LIKE THIS, AND AM VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH OR WORSE DEATH. THE SAME DEALER BRUSHED ME AWAY AGAIN, AND NOW I HAVE A DAMAGED CAR BOTH BODY AND DRIVEABILITY. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10176490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
BOUGHT 2000 CHEVY CAVALIER FROM BAY POINT TOWING IN CONCORD ON 4/8/06 AFTER ONE WEEK OF DRIVING VEHICLE THE FRONT STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE FRONT WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP MAKE IT HARD TO STEER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND BOTH DECLINED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO TOO MANY PARTS MISSING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. ONE MECHANIC STATED THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10157136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. *TS THE STUDS HAD BROKEN ON THE HUB. THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10148644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY CAVALIER, HIT A POT HOLE, AND WENT OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY. SHOULD THE ALUMINUM WHEEL-RIM, FACTORY-INSTALLED, HAVE BROKEN IN HALF WHEN THE AXLE WAS FINE? I AM SENSING METAL FATIGUE?
NHTSA complaint #10147881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
1. LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE AT 50 MPH IN EASTBOUND #1 LANE RAMONA EXPY, PERRIS CA. 2.TIRE COMPRESSION CAUSED THE RIM EDGE TO SLICE OPEN THE HIGH PLY TURN-UP AND STEEL SIDEWALL STABILIZER. THIS HIGH PLY TURN-UP COMES OFF THE RIM BEAD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. IF THE TIRE IS COMPRESSED PAST A CRETIN POINT THE RIM HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT INTO THIS 45 DEGREE DEFLECTION AND SLICES INTO THE TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. 3. I CALLED DUNLOP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TALK DOWN TO IN A CONDESCENDING MANOR, HIT A DEAD END THERE!
NHTSA complaint #10140939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RIM FAILURE ON THE ALLOY WHEELS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURED. THE CONSUMER FELT A SUDDEN DROP IN THE CAR AS IF THE TIRE HAD WENT FLAT AND FOUND THAT THE RIM HAD A HOLE IN IT ABOUT THE SIZE OF TWO FISTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP/ MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW RIM AND TIRE FOR THE CAR.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10135536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
DT: 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE ALUMINUM RIM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRACKED WHEN PULLING OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND COMING UP TO A LIGHT. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE TIRE, AND NOTHING HIT THE RIM TO PUNCTURE IT. THE CRACK WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. IT CRACKED A 9 INCH RIP LONG WAYS AND THERE IS RIP RUNNING OUTSIDE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT LOOKED LIKE A CHUCK HOLE AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE THEN CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THAT DEALERSHIP STATED IT LOOKS DEFECTIVE AND IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE BACKING UP. ALTHOUGH THEY STATE THIS, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO PUT IT IN WRITING. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND HEARD THE TIRE LEAK AIR BECAUSE IT LOST ITS SEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10128916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUB
DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WENT BAD, AND THEN THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RADIO HAD TO REPLACED 3 TIMES, AND THE ALARM WENT OFF AT RANDOM. ALSO, DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BODY MODULE CONTROL UNIT. THE FRONT END HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE WHEEL COVERS AND THE CLICKING NOISE WAS A RESULT OF THIS. THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL COVERS TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10126517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CAME BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAY COULD DO NOTHING THATS JUST HOW THEY RUN. MOTOR SURGES AND LAGS AFTER START UP. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. PUSH PEDAL MOTOR BOGS DOWN AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. BATTERY TOOK A DUMP AT ALMOST 4 YEARS. ENGINE SPUN #3 AND #4 BEARINGS ON A COLD START UP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME.PASS POWER WINDOW WAS ALWAYS SLOW. REPLACED APPROX MID 2002 REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS LUMBER IN THE TRUNK. WHEEL STUDS SNAP EASILY AS I HAVE REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 10. REAR BRAKES DRAG AND GRAB EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY. RUBBER MUFFLER HANGER WEARS OUT. REPLACED 2 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10069950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
I PURCHASED MY 2004 CAVALIER LS WITH ONLY 4 MILES ON THE OD. I NOTICED THE VERY SAME DAY ON THE WAY HOME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 & 75, AND DIDDNT TAKE IT IN RIGHT AWAY CAUSE I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL AND THERE COULDNT POSSIBLY BE ANYTHING WRONG CAUSE THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW. WELL THIS CONTINUED AND GOT WORSE, SO AT 6,000 MILES WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR A ROTATION I HAD THEM CHECK IT AND THEY SAID THE WHEELS WERE OUT OF BALANCE. I DROVE IT AWAY BUT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FINNALY TOOK IT BACK A MONTH LATER AND TOLD THE DEALER THIS WAS NOT NORMAL, SO THEY DID A FORSE VARATION BALENCE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I JUST THINK GM NEEDS A BETTER INSPECTION PROCESS, CAUSE THE TIRES WERE NOT CORRECTLY BALENCED FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #10062525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEELS OF HER VEHICLE LOCKED WHICH PREVENTED HER FROM TURNING THEM. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A POLE, INJURING BOTH HER AND HER DAUGHTER. CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A SPRAINED RIGHT ARM AND A BUMP ON HER HEAD. HER DAUGHTER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER ARM AND KNEES. CONSUMER STATED SHE REPORTED THE VEHICLE'S BEHAVIOR TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC TWICE BEFORE, BUT WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO THE MECHANIC TO BE CHECKED. SHE STATED THAT EACH TIME SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED, SHE WAS TOLD TO COME BACK. SHE STATED THAT SHE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10048590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A FLAT TIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DISCOUNT TIRE SHOP. AT THE TIRE SHOP TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE, BUT THE WHEEL RIM BROKE IN TWO PIECES. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10046101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUB
WHILE DRIVING, THE HUB KEPT FALLING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES. THE DEALER TIGHTENED AND REPLACED THE PART BY USING SILICONE GLUE, THREADING THE LOCKER ON THE HUBS. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AND HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED A WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. (THREADING THE LOCKER WHICH WAS STATED ON THE PACKAGE WAS "NOT FOR USE ON PLASTIC") *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10042583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE.*MR VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, BRAKE AND LEFT DISC. CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY ROTATED THE TIRES THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. NO INJURIES. *PH (PER A. JIMENEZ THIS COMPLAINT IS TO BE CONSIDERED A MAILED IN VOQ COMPLAINT).
NHTSA complaint #10042067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE TIGHTENING UP THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEEL, PIECES OF METAL SHEARED OFF AND DROPPED SMALL PIECES OF METAL ON THE GROUND. *AK THE LUG NUTS IN QUESTION WERE NEWLY PURCHASED. PART#254 ABN 10.9 MANUFACTURED BY R+B INC. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10041855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.