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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,284 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 (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Jun 072000

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Valve cover gasket failed.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
Both transmission and engine mounts failed.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #27

Jul 142000

Cavalier

  • miles
Head gasket was leaking oil. It was around the engine where a technician believed there was a head blown head gasket.

- Long Mont, CO, USA

problem #26

May 312000

Cavalier

  • miles

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

I have researched on this site, consumer reports, consumer corner, etc. And have found a number of 1996 Chevrolet Cavaliers have had cylinder head gasket problems. My extended warranty lasted through 100,000 miles. If I had known that this was a reoccurring problem, I might have been able to keep it from occurring. GM/Chevrolet has asked the dealership to give me a discount. The dealership has refused due to the mileage on my vehicle being approximately 500 miles over the required 100,000 miles. Six (6) days after the incident I received a letter from Chevrolet stating that my vehicle experiences this problem and that they would pay for the repairs up to seven (7) years and 100,000 miles. I think this is very convenient. The letter is dated may, 2000. Two weeks earlier I was still within the 100,000 mile limit. I have given the dealership permission to fix my vehicle, but I am afraid to pay for the repairs before some type of agreement is reached. Unfortunately, GM/Chevrolet is not interested in helping me.

- Bremen, GA, USA

problem #25

May 312000

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle had functioned properly for approximately 35 miles after being picked up from the dealership for an unrelated problem. The coolant light came on, went off, then came on again and stayed on 2 miles before I reached my home. I pulled into the driveway, turned the engine off and heard a noise under the hood. I could not see any problem when I popped the hood, but fluid had begun to puddle under my vehicle that was green in color. The puddle increased in size quickly. It seemed to be the water pump. After finding that the dealership and extended warranty would not help with the cost of a water pump, the car was towed to a auto repair shop that fixes water pumps. The auto repair shop called and said the true problem is a cylinder head gasket. The car was towed to another auto repair shop that cannot get to it until next week. In the meantime, this problem has occurred in other Cavaliers and should be covered by a recall by the dealership. The dealership is closed at this time, but I have left a message for the service department to call me.

- Bremen, GA, USA

problem #24

May 042000

Cavalier

  • miles
Feb 2000 I replaced a faulty water pump continued to have slow coolant leak...May 2000 head gasket was found to be bad.no recall and extended warranty was.....not purchased buy the extended warranty is what I recommend.

- Rosedale, MD, USA

problem #23

May 112000

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Consumer was traveling about 25mph while coming out of a parking lot. She was hearing popping noises. Consumer ran over a bump, and motor fell out of vehicle's hood area.

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #22

Apr 072000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was taken to dealer shop for a manufacturer's recall repairs, and was informed of a blown engine head gasket.

- Callicoon, NY, USA

problem #21

Apr 052000

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving struck a deer on the road. Then checked under hood, where anti-freeze was leaking from engine head gasket without prior warning.

- Battoe Creeck, MI, USA

problem #20

Mar 202000

Cavalier

  • miles
Head gasket diagnosed to be leaking coolant into engine and in need of replacement according to palanker Chevrolet in West babylon N.Y. vehicle known to have gasket problems on this particular engine in 1995 Cavaliers and 1996 Cavaliers according to other Chevrolet dealers( ie, dobler Chevrolet, hemstead N.Y) and believe that GM should issue a recall or good will assistance. I am very disalussioned by the fact that the dealer I brought my car into to be repaired says that it is normal for this milage and year and that Chevrolet will not pay for repairs or offer any assistance.. I have spoken to Chevrolet customer assistance and have not received any help or enlightenment regarding my problem, instead iu have been shoved aside and ignored. I have had many other problems within the first three years of ownership that have no explainable answer as to way they occurred buit yet have had parts replaced continuously under the factory warranty. I am thoroughly disgusted with this lemon of a car and this is the final straw!!! please help me in any way possible with my unfortunate circumstance and contact me when possible. Thank you very much in advance :)

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #19

Feb 112000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Engine head gasket/struts/starter/transmission/ dome light/ paint/,muffler/seats and ABS brakes have all gone badly at least once, and some have been replaced twice and are bad again. Dealer was notified several times, but refused to check or replace. No longer doing business with them due to the service. I have been having to pay for all of the services.

- North Platte, NE, USA

problem #18

Jan 242000

Cavalier

  • miles
In 53000 miles: Spontaneous airbag deployment, computer failure, valve train failure.

- Odon, IN, USA

problem #17

Feb 012000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Due to a defective design engine cylinder gasket is leaking at 17,000 miles. Cause is unknown.

- Garden City, NY, USA

problem #16

Dec 031999

Cavalier

  • miles
S while driving on the road vehicle died out, causing the consumer to almost become involved in an auto collision.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #15

Dec 201998

Cavalier

  • miles
Engine head gasket failure. Sought assistance from 3 different service centers. Was told not to worry about it until part was completely failed. First contact was when car was under warranty.

- Fort Dodge, IA, USA

problem #14

Jul 141999

Cavalier

  • miles
Engine head gasket is leaking anti-freeze. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #13

Jun 221999

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle experienced problem with engine head gaskets and valves covers gasket failure within 40,000 miles of wear; consumer believed this condition is due to mfr. Defects. And consumer would like NHTSA to provide addtional information or help in this matter.

- Pewaukee, WI, USA

problem #12

Jun 031999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Head gasket blown.

- Orland Hills, IL, USA

problem #11

May 131999

Cavalier

  • miles
Coolant light came on and coolant was added. Four days later, when oil change car was checked for leak. Dealer said that the head gasket needed to be replaced. Owner contacted dealer and manufacturer.

- Summerdale, PA, USA

problem #10

May 061999

Cavalier

  • miles
I took the car in for an oil leak and found out that it had a blown head gasket and a cracked head.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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