Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
00060403809/01/20006092335Some customers may comment on an unwanted switch to gasoline, fuel indicator lamp (fil) inoperative, cooling fan inoperative, engine running hot and / or overheating. *tt12/05/2000
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
07100307/10/200310003815This vme message is a water pump replacement due to a known cam driveline. some customers may question about whine noise coming from the front engine area. *tt11/03/2003
07150307/15/200310003789Coolant lose, evidence fluid on the garage floor, etc., or coolant warning light coming on. *tt10/31/2003
01060201212/01/2001628890Some owners may comment on leakage of a few drops of coolant after parking their vehicle. *tt03/21/2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
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
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
0135301/01/200401353A10007937Engine misfire due to injector fretting corrosion. *tt07/16/2004
0145111/18/200310004249Cng equipped vehicles may require crank times up to 6 seconds when starting on cng. *tt11/24/2003
03060403003/01/2007030604030C10002166Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt08/14/2003
000601018A07/01/2001000601018622775Some customers may comment on a growl/moan type noise coming from the front of the vehicle on heavy acceleration when making sharp left hand turns. nlm10/22/2001
18010101/18/2001618177Information on replacing the idler pulley due to cold weather idler bearing hoot. *tt04/06/2001
20120012/20/2000618145Information concerning vehicles that have a input speed sensor code p0716, p0717 condition. *tt04/05/2001
9909512/01/1999609773Subject regarding certain vehicles equipped with 2.4l engines and built between 11/23/99 and 12/3/99 may have engine connecting rod bearings which may fail prematurely if the vehicle is subjected to high engine speed operation at low mileag04/10/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
010601030A05/01/2002010601030634811Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption. *tt10/09/2002
020601001A03/01/2002020601001631251Customers may complain on a drone noise coming from the engine area. *slc05/21/2002
16010201/16/2002629703Customers may comment that the engine lags power, stalls, won't start or is hard to start. *tt04/05/2002
02060400903/01/2002629502Subject regarding hesitation or stumble on throttle application after cold start (reprogram pcm). *jg04/02/2002
02060100101/01/2002628837Experiencing a drone noise coming from the engine area. *tt03/21/2002
01060103012/01/2001628900Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption, and having to add oil between oil changes. *tt03/21/2002
29100110/29/2001628057Some vehicles may hesitate or stumble after a cold start. *tt03/05/2002
09080108/09/2001625380Customers may complain of excessive oil consumption and having to add oil between changes. *jg11/20/2001
18040104/18/2001619413Some vehicles with manual transmission may exhibit a bearing noise that can be described as a grinding noise or a failed concentric slave cylinder bearing noise. *tt05/30/2001
00060405312/01/2000618142Some owners may comment on a hiss noise at closed throttle only. it may sound similar to a belt noise or a power steering pump noise when it is cold. *tt04/05/2001
01060100401/01/2001618071Exhibiting a loud hoot / whistling noise at start up during cold ambient temperature. *jb04/03/2001
00060404410/01/2000616362Some customers may comment that the vehicle engine hesitates, stalls and / or will not start. *tt02/23/2001
00060101809/01/2000615131Some customers may comment on a growl / moan type noise coming from the front of the vehicle on heavy acceleration when making a sharp left hand turn. *tt01/02/2001
9909512/20/19996089925Some vehicles may have engine connecting rod bearings which may fail prematurely if the vehicle is subjected to high engine speed operation at low mileage. *tt02/29/2000
99013800309/01/1999608380Some vehicles with 2.2l engines may exhibit a engine / transmission whine at 2800 - 32000 rpm. *tt11/24/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
01/09/2011208000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle started to jerk and the vehicle suddenly stalled. the battery warning light illuminated on the instrumental panel. he attempted to start the vehicle and it made a knocking noise and shut off again. after attempting a couple of times and getting the vehicle started it suddenly stalled again, he then had the vehicle towed. the vehicle has not been inspected nor has it been repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 208,000. tb
12/20/200486000201/16/2001
 The vehicle overheated within 3 minutes to start up. the consumer stated that there was no coolant getting into the engine. the thermostat was replaced 4 weeks ago. the consumer had to use dexcoolant, but, the vehicle started to overheated again. *ak the heater could not be turned on or the vehicle would overheat. the headgasket needed to be replaced. *sc *jb
11/12/20042
 Check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained. while driving at any speed vehicle stalled. consumer restarted vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. *ak
09/01/20041
 Vehicle has problems starting and when it starts a few blocks down the road it shuts off. *bf *tc
05/07/20041
 Consumer stated that while driving on the freeway vehicle stalled. highway state patrol had to give consumer a ride because vehicle did not restart. consumer had the vehicle towed to a garage, and mechanic told her that the problem related to the part that was put on by the ford dealer for recall repair. mechanic took the part off and the vehicle started. he put it back on and the vehicle would not start. consumer indicated the part that ford was using for recall repair was faulty.*ak
04/07/20041060002
 While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. consumer had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
04/22/200412
 While driving 55 mph check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that wheel bearing, caliper. and both frontal rotors needed to be replaced. dealer informed the driver that this was the twelfth set of wheel bearings that had been replaced this year. *ak
06/15/200356000
 My cooling system failed causing my car to overheat and kill my 2.2l engine. also at 36000 my timing chain broke. my extended warranty company is refusing to pay.
03/30/20041
 While driving 30 mph vehicle stalled. this caused loss of steering power and brake power. *ak
04/26/2003202/08/2003
 1st car would act like it wasn't getting gas while driving down the road even though the motor was till running and it had power . then it started just stalling completely (dying) while going down the road. now car won't crank at all because they've been trying to find the problem. was found out that car had been wrecked but carfax report reported only minor front fender damage. *ak
10/05/20013590011/22/1999
 I have a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. the first problem i experienced was in oct 2001,while driving the temperature gauge went to the maximum reading without warning, i pulled off the highway and turned off vehicle. waited a while started back went approximately 1/4 mi and same problem,after stopping 3-4 times i started back on the highway and continued to drive with temp gauge in the red for a approx 1 mile and all gauges returned to normal. chevrolet garage could not find any problems with cooling system..my second problem i keep hearing a clanging/rattling sound from the front area of vehicle while sitting still if you turn steering wheel you can hear a thump from the front left area where strut is located..my third problem is my check engine/service engine light keeps coming on at various times. my fourth problem i have had to replace my front rotors three times now due to them warping,the first time i had less then 10,000 miles....... *nlm
02/27/200350320105/01/2000
 Head gasket blew at only 50320 miles, allowing antifreeze to enter the engine block and flood cylinder heads and spark plugs, warping them to the point where they had to be rebuilt, in addition due to lack of antifreeze, car overheated almost to the point of catching fire, seizing the engine. this came with no warning, and no sign of leakage as antifreeze leaked into engine rather than onto ground. car broke down in the middle lane of a busy intersection while stopped at a light causing a traffic obstacle during morning rush hour. *nlm
02/03/2003
 While making a turn vehicle would shut off. dealer notified. ph
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
04/15/200650000
 Purchased used 2000 cavalier in 2006. first problem (which has continued for 5 years) is that the service light will come on when the car is cranked unless the headlights are first turned on. if you turn the headlights off while driving, the service light comes on. it will not go off unless you turn the car off and restart it (with headlights on). second problem is that fuel hand does not reflect accurate amount of gasoline in tank. it goes up and down while driving (with the check gauges light on). or sometimes it is stuck on e or stuck on f regardless of how much fuel is actually present. third problem is that car intermittantly overheats and is always losing coolant. i have replaced thermostat, water pump, & radiator. three different mechanics cannot find a leak in the cooling system (despite pressure testing, compression testing, & block testing). we are baffled why it cannot retain constant coolant levels. this is a very frustrating situation as i am left without reliable transportation.
04/08/200420000309/05/1999
 After purchase of my vehicle - battery was dead dealer replaced new battery lost coolant - engine was smoking then found out vehicle was on recall had to replace rotors and pads with less than 20,000 miles on vehicle something needs to be done to improve the brake system on the chevy cavaliers they do not last. i commute to work by train and hardly drive so i was surprised with all the problems with this vehicle with not alot of miles. *nm
04/24/200304/24/2003
 When i purchased my used 2000 chevrolet cavalier in april 2003 about 1 month i started having problems. after putting gas in my car i would drive a little and then the gas gauge would go down to appear that the car was almost empty but it wasn't. while driving one day the car just shut off it had gas in it i had just put gas in it but the gauge dropped to appear to be almost empty. i had to get my car towed to the shop i was told my fuel injection went out. not even a month after that my car stalled at a red light and my temperature gage went in the hot zone my car wouldn't start i had to get it towed again to the shop but they could not find the problem. now here it is june 2003 my car is sitting in the drive way right now as i am typing this information. my son was driving home at 1:00 a.m. this morning from work when the car overheated again and started smoking. he said smoke was also coming out of the battery and he also heard noise coming from the rear of the car today is saturday and my car has to sit in the driveway until monday morning that when the dealer opens. i feel that something should be done. i don't think it is fair for dealers to be able to sale cars that are in this kind of condition and the car is suppose to be certified. i am making payments on the car and i am having all these problems. it is dangerous to be driving and the car decides to cut off especially at 1:00 a.m. i have to be at work at 3:45 a.m. and my son gets off work at 1:00 a.m. this is very, very dangerous for the both of us. *nlm
01/18/20033200008/18/2000
 Nov.7,2002 car won't start. dec.11,2002 won't start. took car to potamkin chevorlet dec.19,2002. i was told there's was nothing wrong with the car and they would not replace battery. jan.13,2003 car won't start. car was towed to liberty chevorlet. was told car needed battery and starter. also told if proper test was done, potamkin should have picked up the problem. currently having problems with car. car stops while driving. liberty unable to find problem. also since i purchased the car,new, my interior lights flash on and off when i brake hard or go over bumps in road. either dealer unable to find out why.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
11/15/2002
 Light comes on, on dash consumer has taken vehicle to the dealer, and they told him that it was nothing wrong with vehicle.when he was on vacation,radiator hose busted. when he returned home , he went to the dealer, and was reimbursed some of his money back by the dealer. also, was told by dealer when dash light indicator that something was wrong with battery. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
01/01/19011
 Consumer 2000 cavalier stall when turning or stopping at a red light. *ts after the recall work was done for the ignition the vehicle began to stall. the vehicle's transmission had to be overhauled. two sensors have been replaced. the catalytic converter has been replaced. the fuel pump has been replaced. *nm
05/13/200212000707/02/2000
 The consumer stated he experienced 3 blown head gaskets; one day it will start and another day it would not start.
07/06/2004300001
 While driving at any speed the vehicle stalls. *ak
10/20/2003955631
 Low track light came on when the vehicle was accelerated or when the gear was placed in reverse. *bf in order for the light to go out, the consumer had to take his foot off the accelerator, sometimes the engine shut off by itself. the consumer stated the dealer fixed the problem in the beginining, however the problem returned. the valve cover gasket leaked.
07/07/200475000605/28/2000
 The first time this happened i was driving to work and the fuel injectors were replaced to fix the problem. the next 4 times (all in the same day) i was driving to and from pensacola, florida on interstate 110 and highway 98 and the gas filter and spark plugs were changed. these incidents were in the spring 2003. the dealer informed me in april 2003 that the spark plugs were the problem and they fixed it and said we should be fine. the most recent episode was on highway 20 in niceville, florida. i was driving with my wife and newborn when the car stopped accelerating again and thankfully i was able to pull to the side of the road without getting hit. car stopped accelerating with no warning and was stranded on the interstate and busy highway. most recently the problem cannot be fixed. this car is only 4 years old and i bought it new with keeping the maintence up. as of now the car cannot be started and they have no clue as to what the problem is. i am concerned as this could have happened while on the interstate where i could not get to the shoulder or on the local mile long bridge where there is no place to pull over to. i am just glad my wife and child were not injured this time. *la
05/04/2004108/04/2000
 Brakes vibrate when stopping from any speed. was told by dealer that was common with abs. brakes wear poorly, have had to replace brakes 2x since purchase. engine stutters when car first started or while standing. key hot out of ignition, was told recent recall affecting ignition relay would fix, did not. check engine service and abs lights coming on and staying on. car has only 32,000 miles. *jb
11/13/2003570001
 Engine head gasket failed prematurely. dealer repaired, and 8 months later the part failed again. *ak
797341
 Simultaneously while driving, check engine light will flash on. headlights flashed on/off 4 times or ther was a clicking noise in the front end. dealership indicated the this might be caused by electrical system failure. *ak
02/09/200334850104/22/2000
 The vehicle stalled, which caused consumer to abruptly pull over.*jb *ts
01/27/200360000009/03/2000
 Timing chain loose/tensioner wearing out. first happened around 60,000 miles, at this time the chain, tensioner, and gears were changed. worked fine for a week and a half, then slowly started to rattle again until the noise was worse than before it was fixed. brought to chevy dealership, car stayed there for 5 days, said they couldn't find anything wrong, charged me $250 for diagnostic labor and told me it was a normal noise. then i called gm customer service, the woman i spoke to was all ready to help me out until she spoke with the dealership then came back on the line with me and just agreed with what they said about it being a normal noise. then brought it to another chevy dealership, service manager listened and said it was definitely not a normal noise, agreed it was coming from the timing cover area, called back customer service, said i'd have to pay for another diagnosis before they could even tell me if they would assist me in getting it fixed. i'm finished with it, i've spent over $1000 on this car in the last 2 months and it's still not fixed, plus i'm out $250 for a dealership telling me there's nothing wrong. this dealership was not the one i purchased the car from.....the original dealer messed up my rotors at 10,000 miles and were very rude about it so i vowed never to go there again.....now i've been burned by two dealerships...
1
 Consumer stated while driving at high speed, the engine shut down, which caused loss of power steering. please provide any additional information.*jb
01/13/20031
 Consumer stated while driving at highway speed the engine shut down whic caused loss of power steering. please any additional information.*jb
05/02/20021
 Timing chain had to be replaced because vehicle was becoming inoperable. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak mj
 Engine was cracked. technician stated head gasket was blown. please provide further information. *ak
01/08/2001209/29/1999
 Going uphill vehicle stalled, after 10 minutes. started again, and a while later, on uphill vehicle stalled . had vehicle towed to dealer, mechanic took vehicle on test drive, and it stalled uphill. dealer replaced fuel sending unit. in november 2000, head gasket had to be replaced.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
08/26/200460000107/14/2000
 Car idles extrmemly rough and feels like it is going to stall. bogs while driving, makes a firing noise from the tailpipe. i put better gas in the car, new spark plugs and fuel injector cleaner. no help. check engine light comes on when car is started, but also goes off just as fast. when idling, it does not stay at the same level. very rough. cluster for digital odometer is broken, i need to bang on the dashboard to read the mileage. the light in the center console is also out. *ak
11/01/20008000100
 Growl / moan type noise coming from the front of the vehicle on heavy acceleration when making a sharp left hand turn. *ak
11/12/2002
 Car stalled numerous times at any speed, dealer has been notified. please provide further inforamation. ts
07/05/2002
 Vehicle just started having problems cutting each time approaching a stop. no warning indicator illuminated on dashboard. dealer was notified of problem. please provide more information.*ak
04/11/2002304/01/2001
 Consumer states that the engine is overheating and the engine light illuminated. *tt
 While driving 50-60 mph and without warning vehicle will stall, then shutdown on major highway.*aik
 While driving vehicle shutdown. dealer could not locate cause. please provide any further information, and vehicle identification number.*ak
12/01/1999
 The car hesitates when starting on ice or snow. if the drive wheels start to spin, the wheels do not receive power and the car does not being to accelerate until a delay of about 1 or 2 seconds. during this time another car was coming at me and i did not know if i would get hit or not. fortunately, i was not. it is very scary not being able to move when another car is headed in my direction.*ak
05/31/2001204/02/2001
 When turning steering wheel sharply there was a popping sound at all times. dealer replaced power steering shaft.*ak consumer states engine light comes on while driving, squealing noise from passengers side of engine especially on cold starts, and engine is slow to crank up-intermittent, battery was replaced, also vehicle would not start, dealer found fuel pump was inoperative and replaced fuel pump. *yd
09/22/20014
 My car has stalled 4 differnt times w/out any warning,the 2 or 3 times i was told to put gas treatment in my tank . they thought i had water in my tank. finally after almost hitting an 18 wheeler in the rear w/my 3 year old daughter in the car, the dealer said the fuel filter was defective,& the fuel modular regulator was shorting out.i tried to get gm to do a buy -back on my car the refused.this is only one of many repeated problems w/my z24. i am going to file the lemon law on this car.*ak
07/31/2001307/01/2000
 Vehicle stalls when a/c turned off. this happens when vehicle is in park and/or drive and vehicle is at stand still. dealer has had three attempts to correct defect. dealer states that they can't engineer a fix for the stall. in process of having vehicle classified a lemon under the state of florida's lemon law.
08/02/20011
 The consumer was in driveway trying to go firward but the vehicle wouldn't go, the consumer tried reverse, nothing happened and the vehicle completely shut down, there was no steering ability and no brakes, the vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem
03/27/2001105/05/2000
 Ses light illuminated, stalls on start up, coming to a stop, or when slowing down to turn a corner, dealer replaced catalytic converter and strainer, however problem still exists.
10/05/2000104/01/2000
 Three times the car had to be towed to the dealer. twice it died when i was driving causing me to miss work. it always shuts down the same way.*ak
04/27/2001403/22/2000
 While driving on three different occasions at 65 mph and without prior warning vehicle cutt off, causing loos of all power. also, vehicle has lost a great amount of fuel, problem may be linked, causing occupants of vehicle to get sick. (ak consumer states no one knows as of yet, the first time dealer replaced battery, the second time they did nothing, the third time they replaced filter in gas line or tank.*jb
05/07/20001
 Vehicle experienced possible engine failure which caused vehicle to shut down completely resulting in a collision with several vehicles due to stalling (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
01/05/2000
 Was driving vehicle when without warning vehicle experienced an oil & transmission leak. nothing was working properly in vehicle. there were no instrument panel lights, also, transaxle was found to be faulty. waiting to receive a new transmission from michigan to replace original. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
 While driving in heavy traffic a large quantity of carbon monoxide fumes entered vehicle compartment.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
11/01/20002917108/01/2000
 The vehicle only had 2917 miles on it when the steering rack had to be replaced. *nm at 6237 miles the dealer had to replace a strut mount and a bearing plate. the engine light illuminated and the o2 sensor and starter was replaced. the intermediate shaft was replaced twice and the headlamp was replaced. *jb
01/24/2001
 While driving engine check light came on. took to dealer, and they replaced oxygen sensor. in march of 2001, problem reoccurred, and dealer replaced oxygen sensor again. on september 11, 2001, problem occurred again, and dealer did not have a solution for problem. on october 22, 2001 problem reoccurred. a dealer told consumer it was okay to drive with engine light on. finally, on november 14, 200 engine light came back on. please provide any further information. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
01/01/19011
 Consumer 2000 cavalier stall when turning or stopping at a red light. *ts after the recall work was done for the ignition the vehicle began to stall. the vehicle's transmission had to be overhauled. two sensors have been replaced. the catalytic converter has been replaced. the fuel pump has been replaced. *nm