Eight problems related to ignition have been reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While turning right consumer was unable to steer. This caused the vehicle to stall. Consumer restarted the vehicle, and took it to the dealer for inspection. The cause of the problem had not been determined.
Consumer stated the vehicle was parked and shut off. Without warning, the vehicle caught on fire from the steering column. Dealer notified. Consumer woke to ignition running. Ignition was in off position with the keys removed. She inserted the key and turned it on and off several times until the engine shut off. Just then smoke was seen coming from under the steering column. Fire dept. Determined fire was the result of something electrical.
Car is a complete lemon made with poor quality. It is unrealible and a constant headache. No safety defect listed.
Ever since we've bought this vehicle there's been nothing but problems. While backing out of the driveway it will stall out and shut off. In Feb of 2000 the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The gas gauge flucuates. It will show 1/4 tank of gas left and ten minutes later the check gas light comes on and the gauge drops. Some kind of electrical wire on the front drivers side went bad. The driver's side door won't shut any more, the latch needs to be replaced. It's like every 3 ot 4 months something wither minor or significant goes wrong with it and persoanlly I am sick of it. I believe that my car is a lemon and I want to do something about it.
Spark plug wires shorted. Yh.
Check engine light came on while the vehicle was running rough. When the driver pulled off the road to check the oil, the vehicle shut off. Dealer noticed that the problem was due to two bad spark plugs.
The ignition cylinder lock failed.
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.