Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
000404/01/2000612663Upper radiator hose contacts the battery tray, which may result in engine collant leak, with a low coolant telltale (warning lamp) illuminating on the instrument cluster. *mjs06/12/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
01060201212/01/2001628890Some owners may comment on leakage of a few drops of coolant after parking their vehicle. *tt03/21/2002
NAS1999004005/21/1999606008Subject pertaining to correct coolant level for proper cooling system operation. *tt08/05/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
9804110/27/1998615098Upper radiator hose contacting battery tray. *tt12/27/2000
0011304/07/20006092323Some vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the upper radiator hose contacts the battery tray. *tt12/05/2000
0000404/05/2000612033General motor has dediced that certain vehicles equipped with 2.2l engines (vin 4), may exhibit a condition in which the upper raditor hose contacts the battery tray. *tt06/05/2000
9804108/01/1998609675Upper radiator hose may contact battery tray. yd04/06/2000
9811908/25/1998602268Subject on the upper radiator hose. *yc10/20/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
0400806/01/200410008727Special policy adjustment - air cleaner cover - replace. bi-fuel (compressed natural gas and gasoline) engine may experience a higher rate of backfire than on gasoline engine cavaliers. *tt08/18/2004
0400806/22/200410008726Special policy adjustment 04008 - air cleaner cover - replace. *tt08/18/2004
9801708/01/1998609673Valve rocker arm cover failed, causing oil cnsumption to increase. yd04/06/2000
9801708/24/1998602394Some vehicles may exhibit increased oil consumption. *yc11/03/1998
9812008/25/1998602267Some vehicles may exhibit a increased oil consumption. *yc10/20/1998
9887651905/01/1998601392Subject on dtc u1016, stored code with no active symptoms ( reprogram pcm ). *yc08/03/1998
97110177652511/01/199754201Comments about hesitation, engine sag, or a cold engine stall during light acceleratation (driveway). *yc03/30/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
010601030A05/01/2002010601030634811Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption. *tt10/09/2002
01060103012/01/2001628900Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption, and having to add oil between oil changes. *tt03/21/2002
09080108/09/2001625380Customers may complain of excessive oil consumption and having to add oil between changes. *jg11/20/2001
01060100401/01/2001618071Exhibiting a loud hoot / whistling noise at start up during cold ambient temperature. *jb04/03/2001
9801708/01/1998615103Customer satisfaction campaign involving vehicles exhibiting increased oil consumption. *tt12/27/2000
0003205/01/2000613587Some customers may experience illumination of the service engine soon (ses) light and code p0300 (general misfire), with driveability complaints of engine misfire, rough idle and hesitation. **mr07/25/2000
99013800309/01/1999608380Some vehicles with 2.2l engines may exhibit a engine / transmission whine at 2800 - 32000 rpm. *tt11/24/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
636604C09/01/199863-66-04B603835Comments that a metallic noise or cold rap heard on cold exhaust system. *tt03/08/1999
98636604B06/01/199863-66-04A601911Comments that a metallic noise on cold exhaust systems. *tt08/28/1998
98636604A04/01/1998601051Some owners may comment that a metallic noise or06/24/1998

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/01/20091
 I have a z24 and my car stalls out and turns off while driving i have contacted a chevy dealer who stated that the cavalier's do, but my type of vehicle(z24) isn't affected. explained it is and they should see about this. and i would have to pay to get this fixed. also, when researching this information on the internet i have found many other customers who have had the same problem as i with my type of vehicle. why would 1 type of car of the same year have the problem and not all of them? it has the same components just designed a little different. *tr
11/17/2010142000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated the anti-theft system fails. when the theft system fails the vehicle will not start. the contact took the vehicle towed to the dealer and was told the pass lock system needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure mileage and current mileages were 142,000.rl
06/01/2005100000104/01/1999
 Dt: the vehicle is not drivable, it stopped on the freeway close to 100,000 miles. complains of engine not working. *ak
05/27/2005100049202/15/1998
 Pattern of overheating and vehicle failures in 98 cavaliers. a second car with the same problems is now being reviewed right next to mine at fox chevrolet timonium. 410-667-6666. car with 100,049 miles overheated for first time after ordinary flush and fill 2 days prior. (the serpentine belt and an oil change were also performed following a complaint of smelling antifreeze no other evidence of any cooling problems) following the overheating, the car was promptly pulled over within 2 miles and flatbedded back to the service station. after replacing the thermostat and water pump (signs of low coolant flow - temperature differential in the upper and lower hoses) car continued to overheat. the car was flatbedded to the dealer: no leaks or damage were found in the heater core, radiator, head gasket, or cylinder head. dealer conclusion is that there are micro cracks inside the engine because engine gases are mixing with the antifreeze, although oil is not entering the cooling system. dealer insists only possible repair is an entire engine replacement.
05/13/2004600001
 While driving the consumer saw smoke coming from under the hood. the consumer stated that problem was pertaining to the antifreeze leaking. the dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. please provide more information. *nm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
12/15/200820001
 Ever since i bought my car brand new, i have had issues with the engine stalling on hills or inclines. my car will start to feel as if it's going to stall, and the rpm's jump up as if i am accelerating the gas, but since this normally only happens on hills, when i apply the brakes, my car will not stop, b/c the rpm's are still high, then that's when the car stalls, and of course my steering wheel locks, and i cannot stop without using the e-brake, or put it back into neutral and restart it. i have no warranty left since it has expired, however, i had taken my vehicle to the dealership and they always said nothing was wrong. i have small children, and it's not fair that this defect has slipped through the cracks for this long. something must be done before owners of this car get injured or killed! i am also having a rack and pinion problem, but gmac said that my car didn't come from the plant with the defective parts! well, i think it did. my car has been unreliable more often than not. every time i have drive down a hill, i say a prayer. this happens about 2-3 times/week. my steering is so bad from the defective rack and pinion, that i can't turn my steering wheel until the car has been running for about 15 mins.(when it's cold out). gmac has failed to take my concerns serious, it's sad that a company i paid all my hard earned money to, can't even make/or fix an unsafe vehicle! and i also have the recalled dex coolant, but you have to have paid for the damages and repairs in order to get reimbursed! they need to fix all the affected cars, not just the ones people have paid to already have it fixed! *tr
11/05/200105/01/1998
 Water pump failed on vehicle. i have owned this vehicle for 3.5 years and unfortunately, i never thought this would happen. this car couldn't last 5 years without problems. i should not have to pay for something like this so soon, i paid a lot of money for this car and expected to receive a quality vehicle. now i'm wondering what next, is my engine going to fail. how could the water pump go out so soon on this vehicle. and how many other buyers have had the same or similar problems. have there been recalls on this vehicles, it seems to have a lot of problems, unforturnately we the consumers, are now finding this out.*ak
03/21/200102/01/1998
 I will never buy another chevrolet cavaler, the dealership even ripped me off, they charged me 400 dollars to fix a water hose pump and tension belt, this car has been nothing but problems, and now 5 months later, the vehicle is acting up again. i don't know why chevrolet won't do anything about the massive maintenance to this car...but in the future, i am buying from a foreign company due to all of the maintenance. and on top of all of the other garbage, this was suppose to be a low maintenance car, and that is not even true! i think i can speak for everyone else, that this car is the worse car that was made in 1998. it took me three different times of bringing my car to different dealerships because they didn't fix the recall the first time. i claim discrimination when it comes to chevrolet dealerships
08/05/2000209/01/1998
 We also own a 93 cavalier that is always having the same problem. no safety defect listed in summary. *ak
01/10/199904/01/1998
 At 8 miles before purchase of car water pump, gasket, thermostat and seal replaced because of coolant leak, at 14,000 miles water sensor replace because coolant light continued to come on, at 15,000 miles coolant coming on again and head gasket replaced. claims no damage to engine but a mechanic told me they could not tell unless they tear engine down and mic it. at 5,000 miles trunk leaked at 15,000 miles in for continued trunk leak. front passenger door sticks. rear passenger door handle sticks out further than rest. continue to have problems with car. also had to have mud flaps installed after purchase, they where suppose to come with it. had to have front passenger seat fixed because it would not move. car is in william m fowler and barbara a fowler
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
12/01/19981
 Radiator fan failed. yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
07/29/1998104/09/1998
 Radiator hose failed. mjs
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
 Radiator hose protector failed. mjs
12/10/1998403/24/1998
 Smell of burning wires when driving. radiator hose failed prior to/after recall repairs. also, transfer case malfunctioned prior to/after recall repairs 98v013000. in addition, rear passenger's side door handle broke inside.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04/11/200672000104/21/1998
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection; however, the problem could not be duplicated.
06/09/20054
 On my 1998 chevy cavalier my timing belt tention pulley has broken twice,also my idler pulley has also broken twice
08/29/199918868106/29/1998
 This e-mail is in regards to my 1998 cavalier rs. this car has been nothing but trouble since i bought it on june 29, 1998. just 14 months after i purchased the car, the clutch goes out. then it goes out four times thereafter. a total of five times my clutch has went out. the reason i purchased a brand new automobile was for the dependency of the chevrolet product. i was mistaken in my thinking obviously. that dates of having to replace the clutch master cylinder are as follows: 08/29/99, 04/05/01, 08/09/01, 10/17/01, 06/26/03. i understand things go wrong with vehicles, but five times on the same problem. (no the clutch is not being ridden.) thankfully i have reimbursment towing on my insurance, considering i was miles away from a chevrolet dealership. also, the engine light came on july 20, 1999 (13 months after i bought the car). my receipt states all the cylynders were misfiring. on november 21, 2001 my catatylic converter had to be replaced. (don't ever go on a trip in this car!) all the work stated above was done by chevrolet dealerships. the car is paid for now and they received all of their money out of me. i just hope this doesn't happen to someone else. (the car was in my grandmother's name, mary h. decker 3416 st ann st owensboro, ky 42303. it is now in the process of changing the name on the title.)
06/14/200327500004/18/2003
 My daughter was driving her 1998 chevrolet cavalier when the engine stalled and she had not power. she tried turning on a side street she had no power steering and no brakes. she tried to get out of way of a truck that was approaching her but couldn't and her car went underneath the truck. needless to say the car was totaled. the engine stalled once while it was idling so she had to get it jumped. my husband and i thought she might has left something on or wasn't quite sure about what really happened when it died while being parked. i drove it the next day and it seemed fine. after the accident happen she told us that sometimes when she would put the car in reverse it would die. she would has to put it in park and the re-start the engine and the car was fine. we only had the car for a month. we don't know if the transmission had problems or if this was an electrical problem. *nlm
03/19/20031
 The head gasket leaked anti freeze, and the oil pan leaked oil. *jb
10/28/2002
 Upon starting vehicle, consumer states that the water temperature gauge goes hot, smoke comes out of reservoir, and the anti-freeeze indicater goes down about a gallon. but anti-freeze is not leaking out side vehicle its internal. please provide any further information. mr
 I heard before i purchased my 1998 cavalier that there was a problem with leaky head gaskets, although i also heard that the manufacturer also remedied the problem before releasing the cars to the market. however, from what i can tell there wasn't any changes made since i now have this problem which was apparent about 2 years after the warranty expired, and i am now stuck with a vehicle that will definetly not last longer than my prior car, a toyota. i am very disappointed with chevrolet.*ak
 Vehicle stalled and died while going down hill. dealer inspected vehicle, and determined that seals gaskets blewout a valve in engine cylinder.please provide further information.*ak
11/04/199910/01/1999
 Transmisson slips sometimes and no one can till me what is wrong. the motor mounts broke and there is only 29,917 miles on it. the car vibrates really bad when you are just setting in it with the car running like when you are at a red light or a stop sign. you just start the car up and it clunks you turn the car off and it clunks.
09/01/1998
 While driving and with the air conditioner on or the defogger on, the vehicle will stall unexpectedly which may cause an accident. been to dealer several times. dealer replaced the crank case position sensor and a computer chip, but the problem would reoccur. please provide further information. *ak
02/10/1997
 Accelerated pad wiggles all the time, and the motor mounts are not tight which makes the pad move all the time. *ak
02/12/1998
 When applying the brakes consumer can smell the brakes burning. consumer had problems with the rotors/hood latch and calipers sticking. also, had three mufflers replaced. the headlights went out while driving, and the parking brake won't work. in addition, was having problems with engine rocher arm gasket, and the brake light kept coming on. dealer can't find the problem. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
5011/01/2097
 The car is equipped with an internal anti-theft system, which, as stated in the owner's manual if the correct key is not used to start the car, fuel is cut off to the engine. the theft system light on the dashboard then flashes, and you are unable to start the car for (as i found out on my own) exactly 10 minutes. since i purchased the car brand new 5 years ago. this scenario has happened to me dozens of times. i start the car (with the correct key, of course) and the car does not start-the theft system light blinks on and off for 10 minutes, and i can not start the car during this time...if you attempt to start the car during this time, you are forced to wait even longer before the light stops flashing and you can restart the engine. on the occasions that i brought the car back to the dealer, they either told me nothing was wrong, or they thought it was the external alarm, or they just said it was fixed...meanwhile, they had no idea what the feature was-i had to tell them that it was described in the owner's manual. long story short, this theft system has caused me to be late for work numerous times, and has caused many inconveniences for me! over the last few months, it has been happening more and more frequently. i spoke to the manufacturer and the dealer, and neither were aware of the feature, or the problems associated with it. the dealer said to bring it in, but for me to take a day off from work is difficult-especially since they probably won't fix a thing. i am desperate for some help with what i consider a major defect in this car! dt
09/01/2002106/01/1998
 Consumer states after coming to a complete stop, hit the accelerator to pull off and the vehicle cut off, consumer had no brakes and no steering. had to hit a curb to stop vehicle. contacted dealer.*jb
04/15/20001
 Vehicle stalls at any speed, check engine light comes on. took vehicle to dealer numerous times, egr valve was replaced in june 2000, did not remedy the problem.*jb
 When vehicle is first started it would stall out. rpms would rev up from zero, and vehicle stalled. had taken to dealer first time, and mechanic changed spark plugs. problem reoccurred twice since then, 2 months later. *ak
109/16/1998
 Consumer states there is a sulfer smell while driving, possibly engine related.*jb
04/25/2001103/01/1999
 Car is a complete lemon made with poor quality. it is unrealible and a constant headache. no safety defect listed. *ak
12/05/20004
 About 4 months ago vehicle started to run badly, was beginning to die while driving. consumer had to place foot on brake and gas pedal to ensure vehicle would not stall out. consumer has taken vehicle to shaver chevrolet dealer 3 times, but cause was unknown. consumer stated dealer could not fix defect, and was driving an unsafe vehicle. *ak
08/01/20001
 284-334-1038. engine shuts down without warning, consumer claims loss of power. *ak
11/01/19982506/01/1998
 My vehicle dies while in reverse and at stops intermittenly dealer refuses to do anything anymore has been in the dealer at least 25 times.
11/15/19982506/13/1998
 Engine stalling at stop position or when engaged in reverse. vehicle been in/out of two different dealerships. dealer unable duplicate the problem. *ak
10/01/1999610/01/1998
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
10/01/199910010/01/1998
 High pitch hum usually after 45 mph but occurs also when motor is stressed related not shifting . motor shifts at 10mph, 20mph, and sounds stressed / labored from 45 to 55mph before it shifts again if it shifts again. car is automatic 3 speed. when shifting it jerks forward and then suddenly pulls backward hard. when sitting still shifting from park to drive car jerks hard. whensitting still and shifting from rear to drive, car shifts hard. all gears shift hard. using transmission oil. often have to restart engine 4 times before it remains running. count to 10 before restarting does not help. when driving down the road, often feels a hard pulling like it is really working hard to pull itself. accelerates and decelerates as if it has its own mind. chevy tried to reprogram twice but would not take so replaced computer about 8 months ago. but it is doing it again. *ak
112/01/1998
 Possible engine failure causing vehicle to over heat. yh
07/15/1999
 When consumer is driving on the road vehicle is not getting enough gas. then vehicles stops and goes. *ak
03/01/1999511/01/1998
 My car stalls when at idle. i have only had the car for 6 months and i have taken it back to the dealership 5 times. now it is cutting off on me. everytime i take it back they clean the spark plugs and reset the computer, but that doesn't do any good, it actually makes it worst. i think this caar is a waste of money. *ak
11/27/1998203/01/1998
 This car has been taken to the dealer and the dealer recognizes the problem but consistantly refuses to take any rsponsibilities for the junk that they sold me. this car has been to the body shop for repairs on the manufacturer ground effects package the transmission that doesn't work properly the brake system the i have had to have rotors turned and within four months have brand new rotors but on. the sunroof doesn't open properly, the trunk lid hits the bumper when you close it,the engine makes a weird rattle noise when you go over a bump,the doors do not close all the way, ther is tons of rust on the inside walls of my trunk, i was also notified of a recall on the oil consumption valve two weeks after all the oil in my car had leaked out causing my engine to knock on my way home from work (had to put four quarts of oil in it three days from having an oil change, i never received the airbag recall for my vehicle. to wrap this up in a nutshell i will never buy a chevrolet product again i will result to a foriegn car maker (honda) to purchase my next vehicle. nk
01/05/199801/05/1998
 Experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle stalling whenever travelling 25 mph with the right turn signal on. also, front pads and rotors had to be replaced at 11,000 miles, and was informed by dealer that condition was normal at 11,000 miles of wear. problem still exists. *ak *ml
09/01/1998
 There is a rattling noise when i at 2000rpms and i have taking the car to the dealership but they told me that there was no way of fixing it because chevy know about the problem but they had not found what was making the noise but they also said that they were not trying to fix it
09/14/1998105/31/1998
 Car runs at high temperature when in stop and go traffic.
06/01/1998212/02/1997
 Vehicle owned for 7 months. does not idle smoothly and skips. does not shift easily.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
12/10/200265000110/19/2000
 I took my car in for a noise in the engine. after i had the car serviced i was then informed that a guide for the timing chain broke and the timing chain bent a baring on the cam shaft. *la
07/09/1998101/26/1998
 Serpentine belt failed. *yc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
3
 The vehicle stalled while idling. it was determined that the egr position didn't match the actual egr position on the dash. scc *nlm
11/08/1999403/01/1998
 My vehicle has trouble doing everything a new car should do. this vehicle has jeopordized my families safety on numerous occasions. having the horn not work when another vehicle pulls out on me is a serious matter which should be looked into. everytime the oil is changed on the car they come back and tell me the transmission is leaking again. obviously replacing the shaft seal is not fixing the problem especially when it leaks again 3000 miles in between dealership visits. having a constant gasoline and sulfer odor emitting from the vehicle worries me especially considering i have two very young children.when brought up to the dealership they will not look into the matter anymore unless a engine light is on. this vehicle will shortly run out of warranty and i believe general motors has blown off my letters, phonecalls and e-mails knowing this. thank you for your time in this matter, sincerely clifton cole. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
03/01/2005
 The consumer was concerned about the emission control system in her 1998 chevrolet cavalier. *nm *sc *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
01/10/2003
 Catalitic converter went bad in my car. i was told that this was common in my type of vehicle at the mileae that i have. i have approx. 83k miles on my car. i was wondering if there is any information on this type of problem with my car type.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
06/10/2006175055101/28/1998
 1998 cavalier check engine light illuminated. *ts the vehicle was taken to the dealer to determine what was causing the check engine light to illuminate. the diagnostic test determined that the egr valve was sticking and needed to be replaced. the egr valve failed at 142,673 miles and again at 175,055. when the consumer looked at the service invoice it stated that there was a lifetime warranty on the egr valve. the consumer requested reimbursement from the manufacturer since the part had a lifetime warranty. *nm
1
 Consumer complained about an egr replacement problem. *ak *scc
02/09/1999204/10/1998
 Vehicle shakes, dies and the service engine soon light comes on due to egr valve failure. yh
05/13/1999312/01/1998
 Egr valve: replaced twice, cleaned once; gm rep. says not his problem after 24k miles; car has miss and idles rough, codes detected p0300, p0404, p1404, p0405; dlr replace pcm computer. called state a.g.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
02/12/1998
 When applying the brakes consumer can smell the brakes burning. consumer had problems with the rotors/hood latch and calipers sticking. also, had three mufflers replaced. the headlights went out while driving, and the parking brake won't work. in addition, was having problems with engine rocher arm gasket, and the brake light kept coming on. dealer can't find the problem. *ak