2001 Chevrolet CAVALIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
243 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
49,310 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 104 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 243 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 19.3% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 12.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 18 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 6.6% |
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 | 26 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 17 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 10 |
Electrical System: 26; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 17; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 7
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 139 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 48 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 38 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 32; 2002: 48; 2003: 39; 2004: 38; 2005: 22; 2006: 3; 2007: 11; 2008: 11; 2009: 4; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 10; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000451 · 2003-01-01 (January 1, 2003)
HEADLAMPS WON'T STAY ALIGNED
Owner-reported narrative. 27,618 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000452 · 2003-01-01 (January 1, 2003)
CIGARETTE LIGHTER SHOOTING SPARKS, BLOWING FUSES, DAMAGED CELL PHONE CHARGER
Owner-reported narrative. 44,896 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001248 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001345 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002470 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND ROTORS WERE REPLACE. ALSO STATES THAT MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED BECAUSE THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE ON LESS THAN 18 MONTHS, THE VEHICLES ROTORS ARE NOT ORIGINAL PARTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003908 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAS BROKEN SEVEN TIMES, AND HAS TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005811 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR( APPROX.THE REAR) AT DRIVING SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. HAVE REPLACED RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS(STILL NOISY). ALSO REPLACED FACTORY MOUNTED TIRES.(STILL NOISY). WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?BOUGHT CAR IN JAN.2002 WITH 23800 MILES. STARTING REPORTING PROBLEM WITHIN 1-2 MOS LATER
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008380 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
ODOMETER INACCURATE READING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008380 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V036000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗