Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION - REAR
98V319000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 06/01/1996 to 03/31/1997V (Vehicle)2708312/28/1998MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.12/15/199812/17/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. one of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Consequence SummaryIf this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
NotesOwner notification began december 28, 1998. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION
99030800408/01/1999607580Subject pertaining to front and / or rear stabilizer shaft squawk / squeak noise. *tt09/29/1999
SUSPENSION - FRONT
0196701/01/200410006895Front suspension steer noise smooth road turns. *mr05/19/2004
02030800605/01/2002634877This bulletin is being issued to revise the front suspension fastner tightening specifications.*tt10/10/2002
010232001C08/01/2004010232001D627673Information regarding clunk noise from front of vehicle during turning. *yh *tt02/13/2002
SUSPENSION - REAR
9806312/01/1998615114Product recall campaign to replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners on vehicles having a condition which could result in one of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts breaking. *tt12/28/2000
SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER
73340304/01/199752341Rear shock noise in trunk area - sounds like loose lumber. *tw07/24/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
06/12/2003135000308/20/2001
 There is a clunking noise in the steering wheel and front left wheel when maneuvering a turn. also my water pump has had to be replaced twice in the past year. my final complaint is that when i try and start my vehicle it doesn't always start when holding it in the start position. *jb
08/20/20031070001
 The consumer was informed the ball bearing was broke. *jb
02/06/2003
 Consumer called complaining about having problem with front suspension (rack and pinion , shock absorber and brakes). dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ph
06/20/2001103/06/1999
 When making a left turn vehicle will pull strongly to right, also hard to make a right hand turn, consumer was informed by mechanic, that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.*ak *slc
07/30/1999308/01/1998
 In jul7 of 1999, the ets off light and theengine check light came on. the mechanic said the computer showed due to emission regulations, the egr valve needed replaced. replaced the valve, a month later the two lights came on again. i was told the egr valve was defective. had it replaced again. a couple months later, the two lights came on again. the mechanic told us the system was very sensitive, but the egr was fine and just reset the lightls. last week the two lights came on again, the egr was replaced again. the next day, the car started jerking fiercely and the two lights came on again. i don't know what the problem is with this system and we are having a difficult time finding the problem. i don't know if it's a computer defect, a valve defect or what. but it's not save to have a vehicle that constantly shuts off the traction system due to this problem and causes the car to jek while driving. *ak
109/21/1997
 Sway bar bushings failed. nlm
109/21/1997
 One strut failed. nlm
11/28/1997104/28/1997
 Vehicle was traveling at 35-40 mph and while attempting to slow down for an approaching corner, the vehicle began an unrecoverable fishtail on a wet road and skidded then side impacted a tree.
10/30/199608/23/1996
 New rear struts installed and rattle continues. new dash installed and squeak continues. problem cannot be determined.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
05/10/2003620001
 After the recall was repaired the consumer began to experience more problems with the vehicles front end. *nlm. *ak
 When starting vehicle a strong odor enters passenger's compartment, following extreme vibration in the front end, cause unknown. dealer can not identify the problem. please give any further details.*ak
11/13/19881
 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
04/01/1997
 When driving on any sort of bumpy road there is a constant 'squeak, rusty sound' in the front suspension. it sounds like a old squeaky bed. also with backing up a loud long squeak comes from the front end supspension. i've had the front brakes changed and pads replaced twice (due to mechanics negligence). at this same time i complained about the noise and they checked it out and found no problems, but the noise is still there. it's a very annoying sound especially when driving, you think everyone around can hear it and also it sounds as if something is going to fall apart from the front end (?) suspension!
05/12/1999
 There is some grinding and knocking noise coming from front end of vehicle. dealer can't determine the problem. *ak
05/01/199810/01/1998
 Front brake pads/rotor wore out, causing vibration when brakes are applied. also dealer replaced engine mounts/ignition switch. brake line was found rubbing against axle shaft and was fixed. in addition, front end shakes/vibrates.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
01/01/1999
 While driving at 70 mph noticed vehicle was slowing down and pulling to the left. lower control arm could cause the rear suspension trailing arm bolts to break while driving. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT
 While driving and making a left or right turn steering slips, due to a malfunction within the evo sensor. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB
01/01/2003786331
 When attempting to start vehicle ignition switch stuck. recall 02v070000 repairs were performed, but problem still recurred. also, while driving the bearing hub produced a grinding noise on the left side. the cause has yet to be determined by the mechanic. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
109/21/1997
 One strut failed. nlm
03/13/199703/11/1997
 Faulty struts caused vibration and loud noises.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - TORSION BAR
08/05/1997109/09/1996
 Sway bar bushing out of order. yh
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
09/01/1999
 Highly unusual repair for 'newer' vehicle-1997 80,000-& unusual that both front right/front left wheel bearings needed complete replacement. improper installation was suggested as reason for part failure so soon. please review manufacturer's installation. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
10/14/2000104/01/1997
 I was involed in a 3 car crash. one of the cars hit a vehicle broadside and then bounced off her and hit the rear left panel and bumper of my car. i took it in to get it fixed because after the accident i experienced a loud noise from the back and vibrations when i travel more than 50 mph. the dealer called me and told me that he had fixed the body damage but noticed my rear axle was bent. he was waiting on aaa to call to ok it getting fixed. well, they never stopped by to take a look at it becuase looking at the body damage they said there was no way it could have casued a bent rear axle. he said they only way i could have gotten a bent axle was from a direct hit to the tire or gone off the road. the man driving hit me at least 35 mph right there at my tire but from the looks of it i can't tell if he hit the tire. the ins guy said that the problem was probably there before the accident and i just didn't notice it. what ever! my alignment was just fine and the wear on my tires was from normal wear before the accident. the way it vibrates doesn't just happen. i am sure he is trying to insinuate that i had something to do with it. please check to see if there are problems with rear, side crashes. is there a possibility cavaliers don't withstand well collisions from the rear and side. the insurance co is declining to pay this problem and is telling me to make out another claim for the bent rear axle. that is stupid. i never had this problem till after the accident.
11/01/199802/01/1997
 Rear mount becomes loose could break and cause accident.we caught ours in time. *ak
109/21/1997
 Sway bar bushings failed. nlm
03/01/1997
 Have had many problems with car - at 20,000 - the dealer replaced the front brakes and machined rotors, after i requested they be checked due to squeaking. service covered under warranty. at 30,000 - the battery failed on car while parked. had car towed to dealership and replaced battery. dealer stated that there was a faulty battery cell. service covered under warranty. at 40,000 miles, horn has failed. currently negotiating with dealer to replace without cost. have always had abs problems - car will buck and jerk under certain wet pavement conditions when abs should not activate. concerned about this - but cannot afford cost of replacing abs. dealer has looked at brakes and said nothing about abs problems. have banging/clanging noise from right rear of car when car is cold. unsure what causes this. after reading the consumer complaints and defects on this website, believe that my car has these same defects. frightened that my car is now incredibly unreliable and may catch fire like other cars listed. suggestions?
01/08/19991
 Recall work on the (rear suspension-trailing arm bolts) #98v319000, can not be completed due to lack of parts.
12/30/1998
 Recall repairs on rear suspension tailing arm not performed due to lack of parts.
 Noisy rear due to defective rear struts. in addition, accelerator sticks at stop lights and rough idle. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER
112/26/1996
 Coupling that goes over shocks failed causing noise in the rear suspension.