Print this page

8.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,271 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Feb 111999

Cavalier

  • miles

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

The first problem with my Cavalier was about 3 months after I bought the car. I was idling in a drive-thru when all the lights on the concole flashed and the car went dead. The car wouldn't restart. I pushed it to the side and waited a few minutes and tried again. I called a tow truck and several hours later, the tow truck arrived and at that time, the car started. I called taylor Jeep (where I have a service contract) and they said it might have just been bad gas or the car overheating and to not worry about it since the car is running. Four days later, I was driving on the expressway when the lights on the console flashed and the car lost all power including anit-lock brakes and powersteering. I coasted to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I then called a tow truck and had the car towed to taylor Jeep. After checking out the car, the services department couldn't find anything wrong. The car started fine. I explained that there was obviously something wrong if the car shut down, and to please continue looking. Taylor Jeep ended up replacing the starter?! on March 23, 1999, I was driving on the expressway, and again, the lights flashed on the console and the car lost all power. I pulled to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I had the vehicle towed back to taylor Jeep. This time they repaired the ignition switch in the steering column. Then on March 31, 1999 while driving on the expressway, the exact same problem occured. I again had the car towed to taylor Jeep. This time they didn't find anything to fix. I picked up the car after 5 days. After the last incident, I didn't have any problems with the car until October 20, 1999. While accelerating onto the expressway, going about 40mph, the lights flashed on the console and the car shut down. It restarted after about 20 minutes. I drove it to taylor Jeep and this time they sent it to taylor Chevrolet. After testing, they were unable to find anything wrong with the car.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #20

Oct 121999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
When applying the brakes the vehicle stalls. Dealer has seen vehicle 3 times in last month and cannot find a solution.

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

problem #19

Dec 291998

Cavalier

  • miles
Engine shuts down without warning. Has occured on four occasions. Shut downs occur at various speeds. Dealers has attempted to find problem with no sucess.

- Grand Ledge, MI, USA

problem #18

Nov 131997

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Told common prob w/my car by dealer - GM not aware of this

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #17

Jul 231999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving at highway speeds the vehicle began to lose power and eventually shut down completely, cause unknown.

- Stanton Island, NY, USA

problem #16

Apr 201999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
When driving engine makes a loud knocking noise that increases when the accelerator is being applied. Dealer says the vehicle needs a new engine.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #15

Feb 101999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving, the vehicle stops running without warning and will not start back up for a period of time. Has had numerous component replaced but none corrected the problem.

- Johnson Ci, TN, USA

problem #14

Jan 201999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Enigine started to make a loud knocking sound that eventually led to the blowing of the enigine.

- Metamora, MI, USA

problem #13

Aug 071998

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving the vehicle engine shuts down, causing the vehicle to stall.

- Forsyth, MO, USA

problem #12

Apr 101998

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Front brake rotors/engine/muffler/converter/seat/horn/power steering hose and wheel bearings failed.

- Sarah Ann, WV, USA

problem #11

Mar 041998

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Intermittently the vehicle will shut down. Vehicle has beento the dealer for repairs several times. The dealer is unable to locate the problem. The manufacturer has been notified.

- Greenfield, WI, USA

problem #10

Sep 081996

Cavalier

  • miles
After vehicle has run for approximately 20-40 minutes, it begins to accelerate then the engine fails.

- Dixie, KY, USA

problem #9

Sep 011997

Cavalier

  • miles
Engine failed while in motion and would not restart.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #8

Sep 091997

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Oil leak

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 141997

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer was driving vehicle approx. 20 mph when turning a coner the engine fell apart, (literally exploded).

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #6

Dec 011996

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Clicking noise from engine.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 141997

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalls without warning while driving, in for repairs, no problem found.

- Rosemount, MN, USA

problem #4

May 301996

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine failed.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 281997

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine failed.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 171996

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving, the transmission shifted out of gear, causing vehicle to stall. Consumer was told that the clutch casing of the car was not welded, vehicle constantly makes a noise, engine stalled at 3000-3500 rpms.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?