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1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,660 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments

problem #9

Dec 162011

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • 158,721 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There's alot of stuff wrong with this car. It ran good and is reliable when running, but recently stop running.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #8

Dec 052011

Cavalier

  • 17,035 miles
I replaced the battery on my 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.4L with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. I had to call a friend to jump me 3 more times before reaching my home which was less than a mile away!

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #7

May 062008

Cavalier

  • 220,000 miles
I am the owner of a 1996 4 door, 2.2 liter Chevrolet Cavalier automobile that has a faulty timing belt tensioner. The tensioner went and the timing belt skipped, thus causing major damage to the vehicle engine. This vehicle flaw is well documented in some car review magazines.

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #6

Sep 011999

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine/car turned off and looses all power while driving.. causing a very dangerous problem. Without reason this car turns off and looses power while fully engaged in drive, this leaves me the driver without power in the middle of various intersections and main streets...very scary.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 112007

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,309 miles
Blown head gasket vehicle over heating, nothing has been done to repair issue; head gasket recall. The vehicle is running very badly even though a complete tune up has been done; fuel system recall suspension making lots of noise; rear suspension recall.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #4

Oct 152003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles
July 2002 manual transaxle leak- replaced left and right seals; March 2003, left seal replaced; October 2003 right seal replaced. October 2003, low coolant light comes on when driving up hills in 2nd or 3rd gear and sometimes on flats- same gears. Dealer claims that there is an antifreeze leak and that the head gasket is blown, meanwhile I took it in for the leaking transaxle- I can't win.

- Madison, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 152003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,871 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #2

Feb 092004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle stalled causing the driver to pull off the road. The trunk would lock without the remote entry, the check engine light flickered and the vehicle would not start.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #1

Jan 162003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
Over heating due to head gasket/ thermostat problems.

- Elk River, MN, USA

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