Model year record

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 356 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system2690,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1730,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1385,610 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1291,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1267,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1211,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1110,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1038,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1014,000 mi
Air bags918,000 mi
Steering853,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion836,000 mi
Structure872,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7
Power train: manual transmission717,001 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
Unknown or other723 mi
Vehicle speed control750,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling523 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system5179,875 mi
Suspension5
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers444,896 mi
Equipment448,120 mi
Power train499,000 mi
Service brakes499,000 mi
Suspension: front4
Electrical system: wiring3100,000 mi
Engine399,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system340,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner352,000 mi
Exterior lighting369,300 mi
Parking brake3
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)397,000 mi
Seat belts311,317 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump328,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut325,773 mi
Tires324,445 mi
Tires: tread/belt325,140 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator243,000 mi
Electrical system: horn211,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash250,500 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2188,288 mi
Equipment: electrical223 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights227,618 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel system, other2
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump243,000 mi
Interior lighting2100,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2
Seat belts: front210,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module238,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Structure: body290,000 mi
Structure: frame and members264,400 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system290,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Wheels2
Air bags: side/window174,700 mi
Child seat1
Child seat: handle (infant)1
Child seat: harness retainer/chest clip1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift176,500 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal11 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1180,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch168,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock111,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter111,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)163,018 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor111,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: trunk lid196,376 mi
Suspension: front: hub1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear128,500 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber128,500 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger/bracket1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal140,300 mi
Visibility140,000 mi

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 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.