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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,364 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Aug 042004

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

While turning into a gas station and car began to make clunking, sputtering noises. It stalled then began to go again, then just stopped and sat their halfway in the oncoming lanes. The engine just revved in any gear. The car was pushed into the gas station to aviod a head-on collision and a chunk of the transmission casing fell off. The car would only move if in nuetral and pushed. The car is pending diagnosis and repair.

- Godfrey, IL, USA

problem #32

Apr 212004

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
While approaching an intersection consumer applied the brake pedal and without warning vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic was not able to duplicate or resolve the problem.

- East Point, GA, USA

problem #31

Jan 032003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: Check engine light and ets off light came on during highway driving, off again by the time we got to he dealer. Happened again during highway driving a week later. Dealer found that computer code indicated failure of a pump seal in the automatic transmission (4-spd overdrive transmission). Cost to repair will be at least $1,305. Other similar complaints found on the NHTSA site show problems with pumps installed in transmissions prior to June, 1996. Car has only 37,000 miles.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

problem #30

Dec 072001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission would not shift into reverse, intermittently, transmission fails to operate.

- Alexandria, IA, USA

problem #29

Aug 012000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at highway speeds or for extended periods of time four-speed overdrive transmission will automatically shift down to a lower gear, and "ets off" and "check engine" lights come on simultaneously. Vehicle remains in low gears until lights go off or until vehicle cools down. Also, that when this problem occurs vehicle jerks and vibrates as if the ABS is kicking in at speeds in excess of 40 mph. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Scotia, NY, USA

problem #28

May 142001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving transmission will not shift gears. Consumer

- Havelock, NC, USA

problem #27

Feb 012001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

No transmission which has been cared for, which this one has, should fail at 78000 miles.

- Florham Park, NJ, USA

problem #26

Jan 242001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmissions in GM cars seem to be having multiple failures at what I seem to think are unusualy low milages. This trans that went out in my car is a GM rebuilt transmission would somebody please look into the GM transmission situation.

- Graham, TX, USA

problem #25

Jan 242001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission went out car will not move and it already has a GMC replacement transmission in the car.

- Graham, TX, USA

problem #24

Jan 132001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
4 speed automatic transmission forward gears failed, reverse still works.

- Sumner, IL, USA

problem #23

Jan 092001

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

When driver went to accelerate transmission failed. This is second transmission in vehicle. Dealer has been notified.

- Woolwich, ME, USA

problem #22

Oct 252000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have had problems with my transmission in the past and now agian I am having to have it replaced.

- Aldan, PA, USA

problem #21

Sep 012000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have had to replace my transmission on my car twice within a 2 year period. I was told both times that the pump shaft has failed in each occassion. Also note, each time I have had to replace the transmission because of this part, I have had to pay at least over $1400.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #20

Nov 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
Both transmission and engine mounts failed.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 162000

Cavalier

  • miles
At 46K miles, my transmission panel light started going on and off. At 53K miles, a GM dealer read a P1887 tcc release switch circuit malfunction. at 58K miles, the transmission broke at 70 mph on I77 North of charleston wva. The GM dealership in wva found that the pump in the transmission came apart, damaging the clutch and flywheel assembly, replaced the transmission, and billed me. I called GM customer service, they said I was out of warranty, tough luck, no other problems like this have ever been reported. However, I found numerous identical problems in the NHTSA files (see NHTSA bulletin SB049140). I printed a tsb (service bulletin) from a GM dealer in Ohio that shows that the transmission pumps installed on Cavaliers before 6/96 have had transmission pump seal failures that can lead to the transmission burning up even though the car drives like normal. Since GM admitted in the tsb that cars produced before 6/96 (mine was built 4/96) had a pump problem, and there is no recall on the Cavalier transmission, I believe I still should be reimbursed by General Motors for the cost of a replacement transmission on my car. The cost from the dealer to replace the transmission was $2,062.70.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #18

Jul 182000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Check engine light will not turn off after four times in shop, misfiring, several knobs have fallen off, passenger window does not work, interior problems.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #17

Feb 112000

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine head gasket/struts/starter/transmission/ dome light/ paint/,muffler/seats and ABS brakes have all gone badly at least once, and some have been replaced twice and are bad again. Dealer was notified several times, but refused to check or replace. No longer doing business with them due to the service. I have been having to pay for all of the services.

- North Platte, NE, USA

problem #16

Nov 291999

Cavalier

  • miles
Car refused to move while entering traffic, all reg maint. Performed, no warning, barely avoided being rear ended. Company not interested in danger or in responsibility for defective parts. Engine works, car will not go into gear.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #15

Sep 141999

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle'stransmission failed while driving on the street at approximately 25 mph without warning. Had to push vehicle off the road to avoid a collision, believed this condition was due to manufacturer's defect since vehicle had only 54,000 miles of wear. Can NHTSA help in this matter.

- Oil City, PA, USA

problem #14

Aug 261999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
The sun gear and carrier cracked and bearing exploded causing transmission failure.

- Grand Isla, NY, USA

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