KnownCarProblemsHome › Chevrolet › Cavalier › 2001
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, most often about the electrical (23% of complaints, typically around 76,500 miles). It is 5th of 6 Cavalier model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Electrical
56 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving 25-35 MPH, the traction light flashed and the engine began to make knocking and rattling noises. The contact pulled the vehicle over to check the engine and the noise stopped. When he began driving again, every light on the instrument panel illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn when inserted into the ignition switch, preventing the vehicle from being started. The vehicle was started after the contact attempted to turn the key to the start position several times. The manufacturer was not…
Brakes
42 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, power assist.
(1) while driving, going over small bumps or small pot holes, car begings to make a loud vibration noise up in the front wheel area and the anti lock brakes freeze and cause car to skid on dry or wet conditions. On several occasions traction control light stays lit then goes off after driving a period of time. (but no…
I was driving my car on the highway and my ABS light came on. Took it to a automobile repair place on 8/26/04 they found code c1214 solenoid relay ckt open. Connector to ebcm was not completely on. They reinstalled. Then on 3/22/05 ABS light came on again while driving on highway. Took it to auto repair shop found…
Transmission
34 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact heard a popping sound and felt something drop from the vehicle. The vehicle stopped and would not move; therefore, it had to be towed. The current mileage was 47,675 and failure mileage was 47,525.
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier blew a hole in the transmission.** answer required***. The vehicle was placed in reverse, the consumer backed out about a foot when an explosion was heard. The consumer found that a hole was blown in the thickest part of the casing where a large gear had projected from along with other metal…
Engine
32 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
In weeks prior, a clunk was heard upon low speed manuvering, later a rattle @ 2000-3300 RPM. I have not driven it since, save to get $3,000 estimate and several opinions, that a connecting rod is defective, making the engine valuless, which all concur this is common for this engine, and gm may have known of this…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. One day after purchasing the vehicle, it would no longer start. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and an injector, push rod, and spark plug were installed. Approximately two days after retrieving the vehicle, it would not start again. The current and failure mileages were…
Fuel system
29 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
My car had been having trouble starting up previously. It was slow to start up and I thought it was my battery dying again. On december 2004 when I went to start my car it refused to start. We called for a boost, and the aaa driver told US it wasn't our battery but our fuel pump. However, since it was a 2001 car we…
Driving on 4 lane interstat in center lane when fuel pump failed. The car just stopped running as cars doing in excess of 65 MPH flew by me. Luckily I was able to roll into right lane, then sholder to call aaa for a tow. I could have been killed if the cars behind were not observant.
Steering
26 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist, linkages, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
At about 34,000 miles the steering case started making a clicking noise, I took it to the dealer and they told me it was nothing, they lubed something. After that the noise went away but just a couple of months later I started feeling a clanking noise in the steering, it turns out when I took it in for my annual…
This complaint is similar to gm's recent recall. When making mostly left turns at low speeds I get clicks on the steering wheel. It now is starting on right turns. I purchased the 2001 Cavalier with under 36,000 mi . It now has a little over 37,000 mi.
Air bags
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I was in a very serious car accident where my Cavalier flipped end over end and rolled numerous times. At no time did my air bags deploy. The car was deemed a complete loss. The accident was deemed an act of nature/god. No at fault.
Dt: the contact stated that there were two cracks running side by side from the windshield to the passenger side on the dashboard. The contact discovered the problem on october 5, 2005. He was concerned about it because there was an air bag on the passenger's side. The cracked area was where the air bag was located.…
Suspension
15 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front, rear.
Car has a broken strut or strut mount in the rear. Dealer states that since my car was rear ended, warranty does not apply, the car has done this before the accident took place and the insurance adjuster states that this could not have been caused by such a minor accident. Dealer refused to repair under warranty.
Noise sounded like it was coming from underneath vehicle. The noise was actually coming from the right strut mount. Dealers replaced mount under warranty.I don't know whats going to happen to this Cavalier am convinced it is a poorly built automobile and a lemon.gm should replace this vehicle with another vehicle at…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls
Electrical: switch
Risk: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.
Fix: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of the circuit card) will cause incorrect readings to register on the fuel gauge.gm reported in their response to odi dated january 13, 2003 that the primary cause of erratic fuel gauge operation is excess elemental sulfur in fuel.gm reported that abnormal levels of sulfur sporadica
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (56 complaints, typically around 76,500 miles); brakes (42 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); transmission (34 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 27, 2004 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cavalier?
- It is 5th of 6 Cavalier model years by number of complaints, with 243 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.