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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,626 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.

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Mar 222005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

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

ABS brakes fail when turning and breaking at 10 mph.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #33

Nov 012004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Consumer states there is a malfunction with the ABS system. At any speed, when brakes are applied, ABS kicks on and does not catch, but starts to jolt. Brake pedal seems to catch/release over and over, which caused extended stopping distances. Also causes rolling foward or backward in any weather condition or under any driving circumstances. Consumer has barely had an accident up to this point. Vehicle has rolled into traffic several times and consumer was forced to use the emergency brake to avoid an accident.

- Sweetwater, TN, USA

problem #32

Sep 111999

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • miles
Chey Cavalier has ABS light on for as long as I have owned the car and it has been in a accident. Also it has fail many times I called the company for answers but no one has help.

- Clint , TX, USA

problem #31

Aug 242004

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,037 miles

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

When attempting to brake vehicle continued to roll intermittently, resulting in extended stopping distance.

- Maple, WI, USA

problem #30

May 152003

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,250 miles
When the brakes were applied, the ABS failed. The consumer was told the anti-lock brake system was defective.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #29

Oct 222001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Luckily, I have not been involved in any accident because of this problem, but it is only due to luck. I contacted GM regarding this, and was told that since I didn't bring the vehicle to the dealer for "maintenance" (I do all my own oil and easy filter changes), I was not eligible for anything to help defray the $700 cost of the ABS modulator that failed, prematurely, at only 64,000 miles. It is ludicrous that they can tie oil changes to failure of a key brake component, and reward repeat GM customers in this manner. While I am awaiting the regional person's final say on this, it doesn't seem promising, judging by the response I got from they're "customer care" hotline. (now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one!!).

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #28

Oct 062001

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Car was stopped about 2 feet from wall. Foot slipped off brake allowing car to roll forward, causing it to bump wall. Air bags deployed and passenger side air bag busted windshield. Parts/service manager at our local General Motors dealer removed bumper and inspected, and he saw no reason why air bags should have deployed. Also, there is no visible damage to vehicle other than air bags deploying and busted windshield. He contacted General Motors and reported this. They refused to do anything about it and they also refused to send an inspector.

- State Line, MS, USA

problem #27

Oct 172001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
ABS fail to work at high or very low speeds. Rotors replaced twice in two years. Dealer can't find anything else wrong with the brakes. Have taken it in several times, but problem continues. The last time I had the rotors fixed they put a hole in my windshield washer fluid container and want over $100 to replace it. Starter refuses to turn over ocasionally, dealer couldn't find problem. There has got to be a recall very soon on the brakes soon, I'm lucky I haven't gotten in an accident yet. Everyone I know that has the same car has had the exact same problems with their brakes. They had to issue a recall on a faulty brake system they had on their trucks several years ago. I don't feel safe driving my car and will never buy a Chevy again.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #26

Sep 222001

Cavalier

  • miles
When I depress my brakes after the car has sat awhile, they lock up slamming the car to a stop. When it gets icy out my tires will lock up and I will go into a skid.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #25

Jul 252001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
This is the third Cavalier I have owned, and the last. Thought it was a great car, guess I was wrong. The radio has been replaced 3 times, the brakes 3 times (they wear funny), the seat broke and I fell into my 3 year old in the back seat. And Chevrolet has once again stood by their word, I am the second owner of this car, so they will do nothing. What a company.

- Nashville, IL, USA

problem #24

May 252001

Cavalier

  • miles

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

3 minors injured. Car totaled. Brakes applied, but car would not stop and hit embankment.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #23

Mar 142001

Cavalier

  • miles
Extended stopping distance when applyinge brakes. Problem is due to an ABS modulator failure. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle not cover under a recall, and was out of its warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Kearneysville, WV, USA

problem #22

Dec 082000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when brakes are applied vehicle will surge forward. Pedal goes partially to floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has inspected vehicle.

- Southbend, IN, USA

problem #21

Sep 082000

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer took vehicle in to dealer for ABS light coming on. Dealer said vehicle needed a master cylinder. Consumer stated that if pedal went to floor that meant that brake pedal had failed.

- Orland, IL, USA

problem #20

Nov 032000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
`I have had the rotors replaced twice and turned twice with brake pads. Three of these were completed before the warranty expired.

- Man, WV, USA

problem #19

Apr 102000

Cavalier

  • miles
I have the complete case history in email form, if you notify me of you address I will send.

- North Adams, MA, USA

problem #18

Feb 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
I had to replace my brake pads about 4 months after I bought my car, now it seems that I have to replace them again, I know I drive alot by 6months of buying a car you should not need brake pads that much. I think there is something wrong within the braking systems that is causing the pads to worn too fast, I think this needs to be checked out quickly

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #17

Jul 122000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly accelerates on its own when cruising at a low speed up to very high speeds. Brake responded, but sometimes were very hard. Dealer has been contacted.

- Justice, WV, USA

problem #16

Jun 162000

Cavalier

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Ashford, CT, USA

problem #15

Feb 222000

Cavalier

  • miles
The defective braking system malfunctioned, causing the brakes to wear unevenly which resulted in extended stopping distance, and could cause a crash.

- Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

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