2000 Chevrolet CAVALIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
312 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
58,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 120 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 312 complaints (7.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 15.4% |
| Engine operation | 38 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 38 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 30 | 9.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 26 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 17 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 |
Electrical System: 22; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 19; Unknown Or Other: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 17; Steering: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 8
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 192 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 46 |
| 2002 | 47 |
| 2003 | 50 |
| 2004 | 62 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 27; 2001: 46; 2002: 47; 2003: 50; 2004: 62; 2005: 19; 2006: 14; 2007: 5; 2008: 10; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 7; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 38 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003513 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
NOV.7,2002 CAR WON'T START. DEC.11,2002 WON'T START. TOOK CAR TO POTAMKIN CHEVORLET DEC.19,2002. I WAS TOLD THERE'S WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE BATTERY. JAN.13,2003 CAR WON'T START. CAR WAS TOWED TO LIBERTY CHEVORLET. WAS TOLD CAR NEEDED BATTERY AND STARTER. ALSO TOLD IF PROPER TEST WAS DONE, POTAMKIN SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR. CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING. LIBERTY UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. ALSO SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR,NEW, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHEN I BRAKE HAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022041 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AN STAYED ON. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE BEING DEFECTIVE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002601 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHIC CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002604 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001081 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020358 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE OLD FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL PUMP. *JB *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021477 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
CAR WOULD NOT START. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACED. SUGGESTED GAS LEVEL NOT TO GO BELOW 1/4 TANK IN FUTURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008539 · 2002-11-05 (November 5, 2002)
BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM POSITIVE POST DOWN INTO BATTERY BOX WHICH DRAINED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON TO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS JUNCTION WHICH IS ROUTED UNDER THE BATTERY BOX. THERE IS NO DRAIN TUBE TO DRAIN ANY ACID OVERFLOW DOWN UNDER THE CAR. THE ACID BURNED THROUGH THE JUNCTION AND SHORTED OUT THE MAIN HARNESS TO ALL THE LIGHTING ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IF THIS HAD BEEN AT NIGHT I WOULD HAVE LOST MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. THERE IS MINOR DAMAGE TO TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING AND MOTOR MOUNT. I'M WAITING NOW TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER AS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038959 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
ON THE DATE MENTIONED BELOW, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEER. THE RPM'S WOULDN'T GO OVER 3 AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 30 MPH. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AT ALL. WE TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY WANTED $400 JUST TO DROP THE PAN AND LOOK AT THE CAR. SINCE MY DAUGHTER NEEDED THE VEHICLE FOR WORK, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE COMPANY IN THE LOCAL AREA (THEY ALSO SERVICE MY COMPANY TRUCKS) AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT, 3RD AND 4TH GEER WERE GONE. THEY AGREED TO WORK WITH ME ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,311 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038959 at NHTSA ↗