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8.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,271 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.

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Apr 142004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • 134,000 miles

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

134,000 miles on Chevrolet Cavalier, stalled on road-timing chain broken but this is a secondary problem to loss of compression. Previous recall on this?.

- Coloma, MI, USA

problem #40

Dec 172003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
I purchased a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier ls from advanced care care Inc in orlando Florida 9-23-03 this car is a lemon. List of problems with it (was sold to me telling me nothing was wrong with it ). problems ive paid to fix so far engine replaced head job (blown head gasket) 02 sensor twice ECM computer twice coil pack- 3 times icm 5 times engine strut transmount front engine mount brakes rotors main rod bearings catalytic convertor they are now saying it needs another engine that the crankshaft is bad, it is pouring out oil, I cant go past 3 rpms it has sudden acceleration that has almost caused multiple accidents the car has a stalling problem as well which has almost costed me and my son our life. Advanced car care Inc (silverstar road) in orlando Florida sold me this car notifying me nothing was wrong with it. I have already paid 7,000 dollars in repairs and the car is even more messed up than what it was. Everytime I pay for something to be fixed something else wrong shows up... I took it to the Chevrolet dealership and the mechanics were all shocked at this car. They sd the have never seen a car built this messed up before. The computer was shooting out 13 different codes. This is a lemon car. I need it fixed or replaced also S & S automotive in apopka Florida charged me 1,515 in repairs which they never gave me a written quote or even on the phone. They lied to me about parts being new when they were used. They installed my catalytic convertor wrong as well. They did work and labor to the car and charged me for it without my concent.. when I went to pick up the car and I test drove it I was shocked that now the crank shaft is all of a sudden bad and it will cost me 2,000 there or 5,000 at the dealership. I am a single mom and I dont even have a dollar to my name right now. Couldnt buy my son any gifts for christmas after paying all of these car bills and now im stuck with this lemon of a car.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #39

Sep 182002

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving approximately 5mph in heavy traffic the car engine cut out, with noindication of any problem. The mechanic from the Chevrolet dealer where the car was regularly service could find no reason why the engine had failed. The diagnosis was: Engine piston cracked, number 1 spark plug cracked and burn, spun rod in lifters causing car not to start, engine needs to be replaced. I was also advised that an engine replacement would be approximately $4,500. After consulting with another mechanic, I replaced the engine elsewhere. The mechanic there could not offer a explaination other than a defect for the engine failure. Both mechanics noted how well the engine looked despite the failure. Regular engine maintenence had always been done in a timely manner, and the car had clearly been driven abusively.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #38

Sep 032002

Cavalier

  • miles

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

Consumer states that while vehicle was parked in garagae, theirs was smoke coming form the front of the vehicle. Vehicle was serviced, maybe smoke came for anti lock brakes or engine. Cause still unknwown.

- Takoma, WA, USA

problem #37

May 022000

Cavalier

  • miles
This was very expensive to fix and the dealer thought I should of expected it. No safety defect mentioned.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #36

May 152002

Cavalier

  • miles
2.4L engine needed to be replaced because none of the instrument panel gauges show signs of trouble. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Burlington, WI, USA

problem #35

May 152002

Cavalier

  • miles

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

While driving at highway speed of 55-60 mph vehicle started to run rough and cut off. Dealer contacted, and informed of a blown head gasket on the 2.4L engine. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Burlington, WI, USA

problem #34

Mar 182002

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle started to overheat. Consumer had a mechanic look at vehicle. Mechanic stated that there was a leak in front end of engine.

- Belpre, OH, USA

problem #33

Oct 192001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer states there is a loud clanking noise from engine area.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #32

Dec 012000

Cavalier

  • miles
Head gasket blewout. Also, engine is overheating and the coolant is leaking fluid. Consumer noted there was a tsb listed for this vehicle for same type of problem.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #31

Mar 042001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles

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

The head gasket blew while the vehicle was stopped, the check engine light was illuminated for 2 years. Nlm

- Poultney, VT, USA

problem #30

Apr 052001

Cavalier

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #29

Apr 012000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving or when turning at a light engine will stall without a prior warning. Vehicle had been taken to dealer for repairs, but defect had not been found to be repaired. PCM was replaced twice, fuel pump replaced, dealer cleaned throttle board, egr valve, and fuel injectors, vehicle still continues to stall.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #28

Jan 062001

Cavalier

  • miles
With regular scheduled oil changes, no oil leak present, engine made clacking noises while driving. Taken to dealer for inspection and was told to replace entire engine. Contacted manufacturer and had to authorize complete engine tear down ($1900) before they would come look at engine (no longer under warrenty). I'm waiting for further details, but have been told that the manufacturer will probably not help in fixing this problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #27

Apr 122000

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer noticed light on the temperature gauge flashing and steam pouring out from under the hood, dealer said engine was replaced due to the failure of the lower radiator hose, another mechanic says failure was due to the cylinder head gasket failure, consumer wants reimbursement.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #26

Apr 122000

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer noticed light on the temperature gauge flashing and steam pouring out from under the hood, dealer said engine was replaced due to the failure of the lower radiator hose, another mechanic says failure was due to the cylinder head gasket failure, consumer wants reimbursement.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #25

May 202000

Cavalier

  • miles
When car was traveling at roughly 45 mph, car suddenly lost engine power, though still had electrical power. Subsequent repair showed cam gear had broken, causing timing chain to break. This sent part through engine, damaging 3rd cylinder (valves coming unseated or damage to head). Orig. Part is plastic, replacement is metal. This resulted in repair charge of $1600+ to repair damage caused by inferior part. As vehicle is out of warranty, cust. Forced to pay charge.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #24

Oct 121998

Cavalier

  • miles
While driving there is a loud ticking noise coming from the engine, and the vehicle has been in the shop four timers for the same problem. Dealer repaired the vehicle again, and the problem returned. Consumer stated that someone tampered with the mileage in the vehicle. Dealer stated that vehicle has not been moving.

- Albaney, GA, USA

problem #23

Nov 091999

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
When traveling at any speed vehicle will stall and cut without prior warning, also, dash lights are illuminated. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the computer chip.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

problem #22

Aug 251998

Cavalier

  • miles
Car stalls unexpectedly while driving. Driver loses control. Dealer can't seem to fix it correctly. Failed again 10/30/99

- West Chester, PA, USA

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