Total Complaints
447 filings
CHEVROLET CAVALIER · model year
447 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2000CHEVROLETCAVALIER carries 447 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 28 crashes, 13 fires, 24 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 CAVALIER is electrical system with 22 filings, followed by unknown or other (19) and electrical system:ignition:switch (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2000 CAVALIER, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
447 filings
Crashes Reported
28 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 19 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 19 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 17 |
| STEERING | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 15 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 15 |
| STRUCTURE | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 13 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
INTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BI-FUEL OPTION FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE AT FULL ILLUMINATION LEVELS AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE STANDARD REQUIRES AT LEAST TW
STEERING
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the interior passenger side directional signal began blinking rapidly while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that an onlooker observed that the exterior driver side indicator light was not illuminated when indicator was activated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior lighter fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the weather was cooler, the exterior indicator light was experiencing the failure; however, during warmer weather, the indicator lights operated properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
Mileage: 20,800
IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE
Mileage: 200,000
IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE
Mileage: 200,000
IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
UNNECESSARY GAS ODORS. SEAT BELTS KEEP UNLOCKING. STEERING
Mileage: 167,000
UNNECESSARY GAS ODORS. SEAT BELTS KEEP UNLOCKING. STEERING
Mileage: 167,000
UNNECESSARY GAS ODORS. SEAT BELTS KEEP UNLOCKING. STEERING
Mileage: 167,000
REPORTING THIS AS A DEFECT ON CAR LIST ABOVE .I'M PA. STATE INSPECTION STATION. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY WE SEE AND REJECT FOR RUST OUT UNIT BODY REAR FRAMES . I FEEL THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEY OWN ONE THESE MODELS CAR COULD BUCKLE ON A REAR END COLLISION. I DID NOT SEE THIS ON YOUR SITE TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED THANKS KEN AT C&W PERFORMANCE PA. STATION # E7 .
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I RETURNED AND HAD A NEW BELT TENSIONER INSTALLED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE NEW AIR CONDITIONER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD A NEW DRIVE BELT INSTALLED DURING THE REPAIR. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER I BEGAN HEARING A CHATTER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP POSITION AND HAD EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE BELT TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OF GOOD QUALITY. TODAY THE SHOP TRIED THREE DIFFERENT TENSIONERS AND STILL IT WAS NOT CORRECTING THE ISSUE. I EVEN DOUBLE CHECKED THE BELT ROUTING PATTERN TO ENSURE IT WAS CORRECT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BELT TENSIONERS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALL MY PRIOR FORD VEHICLE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TENSIONERS OF SAME DESIGN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS A BELT THAT BREAKS OR SLIDES OF A PULLEY DUE TO A FAULTY TENSIONER CAN
Mileage: 97,000
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I RETURNED AND HAD A NEW BELT TENSIONER INSTALLED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE NEW AIR CONDITIONER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD A NEW DRIVE BELT INSTALLED DURING THE REPAIR. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER I BEGAN HEARING A CHATTER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP POSITION AND HAD EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE BELT TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OF GOOD QUALITY. TODAY THE SHOP TRIED THREE DIFFERENT TENSIONERS AND STILL IT WAS NOT CORRECTING THE ISSUE. I EVEN DOUBLE CHECKED THE BELT ROUTING PATTERN TO ENSURE IT WAS CORRECT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BELT TENSIONERS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALL MY PRIOR FORD VEHICLE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TENSIONERS OF SAME DESIGN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS A BELT THAT BREAKS OR SLIDES OF A PULLEY DUE TO A FAULTY TENSIONER CAN
Mileage: 97,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED CAUSING SHARP EDGES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS WERE NEAR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Mileage: 96,000
WHILE PUMPING MY TIRES WITH AIR I NOTICED MY TWO BACK TIRES (A DIFFERENT BRAND FROM THE TWO FRONT TIRES) HAD CRACKING IN BETWEEN THE TREADS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HERE IS TIRE INFORMATION (AND DESIGNATIONS) AS DESIGNATED ON THE SIDEWALL: REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE: ACHILES PLATINUM MADE IN INDONESIA (5N1) MANUFACTURED BY MULTI STRADA ARAHSARANA TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RADIAL 195/70 R1491H MOLD NO. 03-02 E4 (ENCIRCLED) 0228041 DOT 5KJN HP 3606 THREAD: 1 POLYESTER, 2 STEEL, 2 NYLON; SIDEWALL 1 POLYESTER THREADWEAR 280 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A ODDLY ENOUGH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEEMS TO MATCH THE ABOVE INFORMATION WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS: THREADWEAR 420 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A MOLD NO. 03-03 WE BOUGHT TIRES FROM FIGUEROA TIRES IN LOS BANOS. WE DON'T HAVE A RECEIPT TO CONFIRM THIS. THESE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BEFORE 04/29/10 SINCE WE DID FIND A SERVICE ORDER RECEIPT FROM WALMART TIRE & LUBE EX
Mileage: 123,306
AFTER ACCELERATING OVER 35MPH VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE ABLE TO STOP BUT YOU CAN STILL HEAR AND FEEL THE MOTOR TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK AROUND. ITS VERY UNSAFE AND NO ONE AT THE CAR SHOP ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG. I'VE HAD SEVERAL THINGS FIXED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING UP WILL ACCELERATE ON IT OWN. *TR
Mileage: 133,000
AFTER ACCELERATING OVER 35MPH VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE ABLE TO STOP BUT YOU CAN STILL HEAR AND FEEL THE MOTOR TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK AROUND. ITS VERY UNSAFE AND NO ONE AT THE CAR SHOP ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG. I'VE HAD SEVERAL THINGS FIXED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING UP WILL ACCELERATE ON IT OWN. *TR
Mileage: 133,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN REMOVING THE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RELAYS AND THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTANTLY DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN REMOVING THE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RELAYS AND THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTANTLY DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION ISSUES AND VEHICLE IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, HE EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP, THE RPM GAUGE BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SOMEWHAT DISENGAGED AS IF THE MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN. HE PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. HE PARKED IT, AND THE NEXT DAY, HE DISCOVERED SOMETHING DRAINED THE NEW BATTERY. A MECHANIC RODE WITH HIM, AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE MECHANIC, THEN CHECKED EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT COME UP WITH THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE STATED HE BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL, BUT COULD NOT SAY FOR SURE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED TH
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.