Model year record

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 447 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V201000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
28
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-20
Owners notified
2000-09-14

Defect description

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 TWO LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION.

Safety risk

THIS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TYPE INDICATOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CONTROL.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system2274,400 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1970,000 mi
Unknown or other1935,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline178,000 mi
Steering1742,156 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1557,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1539,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1521,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1486,000 mi
Structure1459,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1335,900 mi
Air bags: frontal10138,000 mi
Suspension935,900 mi
Vehicle speed control999,586 mi
Air bags8102,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery820,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition863,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system850,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission831,000 mi
Structure: body854,302 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline750,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic742,156 mi
Suspension: front74,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring632,000 mi
Interior lighting64,500 mi
Visibility: windshield6
Exterior lighting: headlights540,000 mi
Engine4130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system432,000 mi
Fuel system, other4169,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch45,000 mi
Steering: column425,000 mi
Tires4
Equipment346,870 mi
Exterior lighting350,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Power train342,156 mi
Power train: axle assembly33,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly3
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device3
Electrical system: starter assembly22,917 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood241,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control22,917 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: brake lights2170,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch279,734 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system232,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Power train: driveline: driveshaft288,000 mi
Seat belts2167,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields246,000 mi
Suspension: rear242,156 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls276,828 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2
Wheels2123,306 mi
Child seat: shell: infant1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel150,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment adaptive/mobility1185,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: turn signal160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: bulbs120,800 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage125,030 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: mounting1
Fuel/propulsion system1167,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)176,828 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint164,000 mi
Seats137,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings164,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module150,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve134,016 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: electric power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system154,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1112,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility160,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring146,210 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover1101,545 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.