TroubleCAR
85
Trouble

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier

Complaints: 540Avg mileage: 86,592 miSince: Nov 1996
5 deathsCrashFire78 injured

Problem Areas

Engine: Gasoline
47
Air Bags:Frontal
43
Steering:Rack and Pinion
35
Ignition: Switch
32
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
30
Air Bags
30
Unknown or Other
26
Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
24
Electrical System:Ignition
22
Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System
17

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Jan 29, 2008NEW HAMPTON, NY
2 deathsCrash1 injured

1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH A STEERING COLUMN RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL AND BY THE TIME THEY RECEIVED THE SECOND ONE THEIR DAUGHTER HAD DIED IN THAT VEHICLE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. *KB

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3,000 miApr 4, 2003KISSIMMEE, FL
1 deathCrash3 injured

INADVERTENT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT KILLED DRIVER BY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. WHILE TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE CENTER LANE OF THE INTERSTATE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SLID SIDEWAYS THROUGH THE MEDIAN AND WAS STRUCK ON THE BROADSIDE BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC KILLING THE DRIVER AND INJURING THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW THREE MONTHS EARLIER AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 3000 MILES. *JB THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE INITAL RECALL ACCORDING TO CONSUMER BUT DID RECEIVE NOTIFICATION AFTER THE ALLEGATION OF THE FRONT BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER CROSSED THE PATH OF TRAFFIC RESULTING IN A CRASH. ACCODRING TO THE COMPLAINANT, THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INTERNAL HEAD TRAMA RESULTING IN DEATH. IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAD HIT THE WINDOW OR THE ROOF. THE DRIVER WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED BACK IN 1997.CW

SUSPENSION:FRONT
Sep 12, 2000SAN DIEGO, CA
1 deathCrash1 injured

WHEN DRIVING 80-85 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY DRIFTED TO LEFT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER FOUR TIMES, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER SIDE OCCUPANT, AND KILLING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. *AK

TIRES
Mar 13, 2001LITTLE ROC, AR
1 death1 injured

THE VEHICLE HIT A WATER POCKET, THE FRONT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT THE CONSUMER HIT BRAKES AND THE CAR SLID TO THE THIRD LANE AND HIT PAVED WALL. (CONTINENTAL GENERAL P195/70R14). NLM

AIR BAGS
98,000 miMay 2, 2012COON RAPIDS, MN
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HER FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND CAUSED HER TO LIGHTLY CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY, CAUSING BURNS TO THE CONTACT'S HANDS AND FACE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V146000 (AIR BAGS) THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT THE CALIBRATION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE REPAIR FAILED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

STEERING
116,000 miMar 16, 2011DALLAS, PA
Crash1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT AND LOCKED. WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT DUE TO ANY TYPE OF DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
25 miNov 6, 2006LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
Crash1 injured

1997 CHEVY CAVALIER WAS MOVED AND PARK NEXT TO ANOTHER CAR. IT WAS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKES AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. AS THE DRIVER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, THE CAR START MOVING FORWARD, ROLLED DOWN A HILL A CRASHED INTO TREES, TOTALING THE CAR. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION LEVEL WAS STILL IN PARK. THE DRIVER WAS SLIGHT INJURED ON THE ARM AS THE CAR HIT HIM WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. *NM

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Feb 18, 2005CAMPBELL RIVER, 00
Crash1 injured

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN SHE TRIED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, BUT VEERED RIGHT OFF THE ROAD ONTO A SAFETY SCHOOL COMPLEX. SHE THEN HIT A MAILBOX POLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HIT A CURB AND THE VEHICLE SAILED OVER IT INTO THE MAILBOX. *TC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Dec 13, 2004MAGNOLIA, AR
Crash1 injured

DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN 97 CAVALIER, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN EXTREME INJURIES. *BF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V286000. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE STRIKING THE CONSUMERS LEFT EYE. *TC *JB

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
100,000 miOct 27, 2004MEMPHIS, TN
Crash1 injured

WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A CRASH AT 15 MPH VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

STEERING:RACK AND PINION
81,150 miSep 2, 2004WHITING, NJ
Crash1 injured

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND WHEN TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE WHEELS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN, RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND INJURING THE DRIVER. *AK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
189,000 miSep 2, 2004HOUSTON, TX
Crash1 injured

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
76,000 miNov 12, 2003ODESSA, TX
Crash1 injured

THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. RECALL NO. # 02V286000, SUBJECT: POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO COLLIDE WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER. THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE OTHER DRIVER BOTH SUFFERED WHIPLASH. *PH

AIR BAGS
Oct 8, 2003VALPARAISO, IN
Crash1 injured

LOSS OF STEERING AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE VEHICLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. REGARDING JANNIE WELCH.*MR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND WAS REPAIR BY THE DEALER ON OCT. 7, 1998. THE VEHICLE TAPE PLAYER SOUNDED GARBLED AND THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT VERY LOUD. THE HORN WIRE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. A LEAKING SEAL WITHIN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT CAUSED A WHINING SOUND. (BRADLEY BANKS ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *NLM

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
Jul 24, 2003COLLINWOOD, TN
Crash1 injured

WHEN MY CAR FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, THE STEERING WOULD KIND OF HANG WHEN TURING TO THE LEFT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HELPED IT SOME. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY FRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL HUNG AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT BUT I WAS WRONG. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT SENDING US OFF THE ROAD RIGHT INTO A TREE AT ABOUT 30 M\P\H. MY FRIEND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS HIP AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I NEVER GOT THE RECALL STATEMENT AND HAVE YET TO. GM HAS NOW SAID THEY WILL NOT COMPINSATE ME OR MY FRIEND FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.*AK

STEERING:RACK AND PINION
52,000 miFeb 4, 2003GARDEN CITY, NY
Crash1 injured

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER CAUSING INJURIES AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Nov 13, 2001HUDSON, MA
Crash2 injured

WAS IN ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Oct 31, 2001VALPARAISO, IN
Crash3 injured

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON WET ROADS VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THREE PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, BACK AND NECK STRAINS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

SEATS
Aug 16, 2001ERIE, PA
Crash1 injured

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED IN A STOPPED POSITION BY OTHER AUTO AT 20+ MPH, DRIVERS' SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING HUSBAND TO RECEIVE A BAD WHIP LASH INQUIRY.

SEATS
May 10, 2001STUART, FL
Crash1 injured

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN SHE WAS REARENDED WITH 40 MPH IMPACT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS WENT FLYING BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. *AK

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