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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments

problem #20

Dec 102002

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles

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

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!

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #19

Sep 012002

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #18

Apr 152000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Nentor, OH, USA

problem #17

Sep 202001

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles

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

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.

- Mastic, NY, USA

problem #16

Aug 242001

(reported on)

Cavalier Diesel

  • miles
Consumer states there is a sulfer smell while driving, possibly engine related.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #15

Apr 252001

Cavalier

  • miles
Car is a complete lemon made with poor quality. It is unrealible and a constant headache. No safety defect listed.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #14

Dec 052000

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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.

- Chicago Height S, IL, USA

problem #13

Aug 012000

Cavalier

  • miles
284-334-1038. Engine shuts down without warning, consumer claims loss of power.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #12

Nov 011998

Cavalier

  • miles
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.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #11

Nov 151998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine stalling at stop position or when engaged in reverse. Vehicle been in/out of two different dealerships. Dealer unable duplicate the problem.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #10

Oct 011999

Cavalier

  • miles

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

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.

- Fairmount, IL, USA

problem #9

Oct 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Fairmount, IL, USA

problem #8

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Possible engine failure causing vehicle to over heat.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 151999

Cavalier

  • miles
When consumer is driving on the road vehicle is not getting enough gas. Then vehicles stops and goes.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 011999

Cavalier

  • miles
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.

- Jax, FL, USA

problem #5

Nov 271998

Cavalier

  • miles
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.

- Pulaski, TN, USA

problem #4

Jan 051998

Cavalier

  • miles
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.

- Medland, MI, USA

problem #3

Dec 021998

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
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

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 141998

Cavalier

  • miles
Car runs at high temperature when in stop and go traffic.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #1

Jun 011998

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle owned for 7 months. Does not idle smoothly and skips. Does not shift easily.

- Mary Esthe, FL, USA

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