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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jan 012000

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The cylinder lock has been replaced four times. The vehicle is in the on position. The key is stuck. Consumer had to let the vehicle run until it shut itself off, meaning it had to run out of gas. It will not let the consumer release the key from the ignition.

- North Versailles, PA, USA

problem #22

Sep 132004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer had the same problem as stated in NHTSA recall 02V07000. 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. This recall failed.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #21

May 062003

Cavalier

  • miles
The recall remedy for the ignition switch recall 02 V 070 000 failed. The defect occurred and almost caused an accident.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #20

Feb 242003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles

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

When the brake was applied, the vehicle experienced stopping distance. After the consumer received service for the ignition recall, the consumer heard a loud noise and the vehicle didn't start until three tries later. Scc

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #19

Aug 312002

Cavalier

  • miles
My car was parked all day at work. After work I drove down two blocks to a store where I needed to run in to pick something up. I returned to my car 10 mins later and my car would not start. Dash lights were functional, but car would not turn over. Initially it sounded like it was trying to turn over but did not have enough power to do so. After attempting to start several times, it no longer made any sound when I turned the key. Tried to jumpstart car, but car would not take it. Checked all fuses, seemed to be fine. Does not appear to be the battery, as all lights and car alarm work. This problem came without any warning signs, with the occasion of a few times in the past where the car stalled out. No warning signs/problems prior to this current problem. Taking car in for a diagnostic test 09/01/02.

- North Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #18

Jul 022002

Cavalier

  • miles
A fire started in the steering column within 15 minutes after trying to get vehicle to start. Dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

problem #17

Apr 262002

Cavalier

  • miles

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

After receiving the notice in the mail concerning the recall I contacted my dealer andean Chevrolet, only to be told that the replacement parts were on "national back order" and to not even bring in my car that there was nothing that they or anyone else could do. I then asked what should happen if I'm driving down the road and my car should really start on fire. The reply I received was "that very rarely happens, and to call back in 3-4 weeks." Two days later I started having trouble starting my car. When I tried starting it and it didn't I continued to try to start it finally only to end up getting a machanics help. This continued for several days and even being stranded in a very secluuded area because of this ignition problem. I even ended up replacing the battery due to trying to start the car. Missing work and being late resulting in loosing the placement. |what do I do about this and whom do I hold responsible for other situations resulting in this recall that unable to be fixed at this time?

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #16

Apr 152002

Cavalier

  • miles
I have been having a problem starting my car for some time now. Sometimes when you try to start it the first couple of times it just clicks. Then it will start up. It wasn't until April 15th that the car just finally decided not to run anymore. They are telling me that the part for my car that involves the recall will not be in until July. I want to know what I am supposed to do in the mean time. They are not offering a rental car. I have already lost time off of work because of this whole mess. I feel that I have paid my car off and General Motors should at least give a little. Considering I have had nothing but problems out of my car since six months after I bought it brand new. General Motors is ruining their name and reputation because I will not own another Chevy vehicle after this one. I loved my car when I first got it but it has been nothing but problems for me. You know they are not even offering to pay for my car to be towed. This recall is not the consumers fault so we should not have to pay for it to be towed in when it breaks down from General Motors recalls..

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #15

Apr 162002

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Had received recall notice 02V070000. Contacted dealer for appointment. Took vehicle on appointed date. Was informed by mechanic no parts were available. Gave no indication of time frame for parts.

- Boulder City, NV, USA

problem #14

Apr 012002

Cavalier

  • miles
Received recall letter 02V070000 on 01/V/070/000. Parts are not available, and there is concern of a fire that may start as a result.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #13

Mar 012002

Cavalier

  • miles

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

I am worried about the recent recall on my 97 Chevrolet. I currently have the defect and the car can catch fire at any time. The problem is recall April 2002. My car is having the problem described in this recall notice. Ie, when key is turned, there is a clicking noise, engine does not turn over. Car at the dealership. Relay repair kit not due to dealer until May 2002. My car has the defect and I am afraid to drive it until May.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #12

Mar 262002

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer turned vehicle on and nothing happened. She did this 3 times. Also, after taking automobile to mechanic, she was told by mechanic that he could not find anything wrong with it.

- Wadesboro, NC, USA

problem #11

Mar 262002

Cavalier

  • miles
When turning ignition vehicle would not start. Consumer thought battery was weak. Consumer felt there was a problem with battery, it was heating up ignition, and could cause a fire.

- Campus, TN, USA

problem #10

Feb 102002

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Ashland, AL, USA

problem #9

Jun 232000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle would stall out at least 3 or 4 times a week after it had been sitting 6 hours or longer. Had taken vehicle to 4 different dealerships, and each mechanic could not resolve the problem. Problem was consistent.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #8

Dec 152000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving vehicle completely shut down without warning, cause unknown.

- Uncasville, CT, USA

problem #7

Jul 152000

Cavalier

  • miles
I have called this morning (12/06/00) to NHTSA, you said you will send me a form to fill out. But then I got into this website. So I would like to file and document asap becasue I feel very unsafe while driving. I am sure my vehicle has a defect or problem which could cause an accident or injury or death to myself and others. The problem first appeared in early July/00: Soon after starting the car, warning lights (oil pressure and charging system) lit up and the car stalled and lost power. Power brake was gone, and I was heading down a steep slope! luckily I managed to stop the car without causing an accident. I can restart the car and drive on. It happened 2 times more and I took it to the dealer to check. It cannot repeat the condition, so nothing was done. For the next short while nothing like that happened, although several times 2 other warning lamps will lit up (enhanced traction system off and malfunction indicator). I called the dealer to make an appointment but the lights will go off, and I cancelled the appointment... on the night of 11/28/00, the same dangerous situation occurred again. Since the dealership was not immediately available, I took it to a mechanic who ran a computer test on my car, and found taht faulty code #704 had occurred intermittently in my transmision system. But again, the mechanic cannot duplicate the condition, so cannot fix anything. I called GM's customer assistance and the dealer to see what I can do. The advice is that there is no similar incidents reported. And I just have to wait for the condition to happen again somehow. But the dilemma is that even if the stalling happens, the car can restart, then the condition will not exist and even if I bring/tow it to the dealer, they won't know what to fix!! so I have no recourse to take except to drive the car around with this danger on my mind all the time! there must be a better way to have the car fixed or the matter resolved, I would think/hope? thankyou.

- Groton, CT, USA

problem #6

May 222000

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle continually stalling. Several trips to dealer and the dealer has been unable to identify problem. Error codes P0 171 and P0 507, repairs have been unsuccessful.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #5

Aug 282000

Cavalier

  • miles
My car has not started 4 times. I keep it mantained as schedualed. I have taken it to the dealership I brought it from, but they have charged me to much money and always tell me nothing is wrong. If someone jumps my car it works fine, but I have to jumpstart it in order to get it running again. What could be wrong?

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #4

Nov 061998

Cavalier

  • miles
November 13, 1998 car would not start in morning. Called for service, able to get car started before tow truck arrived. Took car in to service department, they said they could not duplicate the problem, charged $70 and sent home. February 1999, ignition failed two mornings in a row, again problem cleared up before tow truck arrived. Dealer unable to give any further explanation. February, 1999 horn ceased functioning, checked fuses all seem ok. Scheduled to take car in for service in early April.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

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