Engine Cooling System Problems of Chevrolet Cavalier - part 1

I bought this car a 2002 chevy Cavalier in 2005, and at the time there was 25k original miles so I was told. Since then I have found out there has been 5 recalls on this car for various safety hazards, none of which I was ever told about prior or during my purchase of this vehicle. The signals have failed, I had to pay for them to be replaced, the bearings on the tires caused dry rot and I had to pay to replace those, both were on the recall list. The engine would over heat in the idle position, and they replaced an air filter sitting that as the problem and it wasn't. The pedal sticks when I accelerate and sometimes gets stuck, the rockerarms have started to go bad and it has caused the valve stems to bend,thus causing the oilpump to seize up and now my cars engine has a blown gasket,this is under the engine component system recall, which was reported in 2007. I was never notified. And now im paying 350 per month for a car that is not running.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

Ever since I bought my car brand new, I have had issues with the engine stalling on hills or inclines. My car will start to feel as if it's going to stall, and the rpm's jump up as if I am accelerating the gas, but since this normally only happens on hills, when I apply the brakes, my car will not stop, b/c the rpm's are still high, then that's when the car stalls, and of course my steering wheel locks, and I cannot stop without using the e-brake, or put it back into neutral and restart it. I have no warranty left since it has expired, however, I had taken my vehicle to the dealership and they always said nothing was wrong. I have small children, and it's not fair that this defect has "slipped" through the cracks for this long. Something must be done before owners of this car get injured or killed! I am also having a rack and pinion problem, but gmac said that my car didn't come from the plant with the defective parts! well, I think it did. My car has been unreliable more often than not. Every time I have drive down a hill, I say a prayer. This happens about 2-3 times/week. My steering is so bad from the defective rack and pinion, that I can't turn my steering wheel until the car has been running for about 15 mins. (when it's cold out). Gmac has failed to take my concerns serious, it's sad that a company I paid all my hard earned money to, can't even make/or fix an unsafe vehicle! and I also have the recalled dex coolant, but you have to have paid for the damages and repairs in order to get reimbursed! they need to fix all the affected cars, not just the ones people have paid to already have it fixed!.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

Water pump leaking and needs to be replaced for the third time. One water pump was replaced under warranty. A second water pump failed just after the 36,000 warranty was up and cost me extra to replace because of the poor design of the engine which requires that it be removed to replace the water pump. The third has just failed for unknown reasons. The vehicle only has 75,000 miles on it.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

3 timing chains and tensioners in 4 years on a 2001 Cavalier 2,2 seem to be a problem in design.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

When driving, can smell coolant and see greasy film on windshield. Which makes all occupants thirsty. (this was even before it hit more than a hundred miles) overflow compartment for coolant started overflowing and low coolant light came on. Engine temperature gauge keeps moving around, and stays above normal most of the time. Was driving and the car just died out on me, I restarted the car and moved off the busy highway. With all of these incidents, I took it to the dealer shop but was told there was nothing wrong with it. I took it to a mechanic and he told me that the heat sensor was out as well as the thermostat. The gauge continued to move up and down. I had a fuel pump replaced but it was a defective part. This was all in the course of three months.

Vehicle making a whining noise when accelerating. Temperature gauge raising to 200. Occasionally, the thermostat light comes on and stays on for about 5 to 10 minutes then goes out. Checked water in overflow, level was only slightly low. Added some anti-freeze & then noticed water on the ground after driving. Engine was replaced in Feb 2003. Then the problem was it overheated & ran out of water. At that time there was no indication of there even being a problem.

My 97 chevy Cavalier has blown through 3 head gaskets, 3 water pumps, 3 heater cores and 3 thermostats within the 3 years I've owned the car due to coolant leakage out of a place that no mechanic can seem to figure out. Also, the engine stalls when the car is in idle at random times. I've been stuck late at night on the highway and in the cold with my infant daughter several times and no one seems to be able to fix this problem.

Excessive coolant leakage from under car. Car heats up, causing to pullover constantly to get the car to cool down. Seems to be a head gasket problem.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

My cooling system failed causing my car to overheat and kill my 2. 2l engine. Also at 36000 my timing chain broke. My extended warranty company is refusing to pay.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

There is a clunking noise in the steering wheel and front left wheel when maneuvering a turn. Also my water pump has had to be replaced twice in the past year. My final complaint is that when I try and start my vehicle it doesn't always start when holding it in the start position.

Car suddenly leaked coolant, engine temp was reading hot on dash. Thought problem was related to a stuck thermostat, replaced thermostat and coolant. Belt starts slipping a couple weeks later, and engine light comes on. In the process of replacing radiator, water pump, and belt.

When I purchased my used 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier in April 2003 about 1 month I started having problems. After putting gas in my car I would drive a little and then the gas gauge would go down to appear that the car was almost empty but it wasn't. While driving one day the car just shut off it had gas in it I had just put gas in it but the gauge dropped to appear to be almost empty. I had to get my car towed to the shop I was told my fuel injection went out. Not even a month after that my car stalled at a red light and my temperature gage went in the hot zone my car wouldn't start I had to get it towed again to the shop but they could not find the problem. Now here it is June 2003 my car is sitting in the drive way right now as I am typing this information. My son was driving home at 1:00 a. M. This morning from work when the car overheated again and started smoking. He said smoke was also coming out of the battery and he also heard noise coming from the rear of the car today is Saturday and my car has to sit in the driveway until Monday morning that when the dealer opens. I feel that something should be done. I don't think it is fair for dealers to be able to sale cars that are in this kind of condition and the car is suppose to be certified. I am making payments on the car and I am having all these problems. It is dangerous to be driving and the car decides to cut off especially at 1:00 a. M. I have to be at work at 3:45 a. M. And my son gets off work at 1:00 a. M. This is very, very dangerous for the both of us.

I have a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier that right after purchase (1998) the engine needed replacement. The dealer as per the service contract did this. Skip ahead to now (2003), the car developed a coolant leak. It was looked at and tested by my local mechanic and was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. I called the dealer that replaced the engine and was told that the entire engine was replaced. I asked about them fixing the head gasket, as it should not be leaking (the engine has 38,000 miles on it) they said no. I called gm customer service, they said I would have to have it diagnosed by a gm dealer at the cost of $79. 95. This was done, the dealer said it was a bad gasket and/or cracked head. Gm customer service said that since the car was out of warranty and that only a short block was installed they would do nothing about it. My complaint is this; I've been lied to by my local dealer. The Cavalier has this known defect. Gm has done nothing to tell me about it, but they have issued a technical service bulletin about it to the dealers. And now they won't repair the vehicle, not will they offer to pay any portion of it's repair. I would like any and all help in forcing gm to fix this.

Nar 9-10-03. Safety defect in 2002 chevy Cavalier. Engine coolant leak.

Consumer noticed coolant leaking from vehicle. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer yet. Dealer found cylinder head gasket and water pump leaking. Replaced pump and head gaskets. Manufacturer notified. Consumer is aware of same problem with the 1996 models.

Water pump failed on vehicle. I have owned this vehicle for 3. 5 years and unfortunately, I never thought this would happen. This car couldn't last 5 years without problems. I should not have to pay for something like this so soon, I paid a lot of money for this car and expected to receive a quality vehicle. Now I'm wondering what next, is my engine going to fail. How could the water pump go out so soon on this vehicle. And how many other buyers have had the same or similar problems. Have there been recalls on this vehicles, it seems to have a lot of problems, unforturnately we the consumers, are now finding this out.

Engine cooling system leak. Usually leaks after consumer parks or stops for a long time.

Dealer stated that in the past three months he has corrected two prior cases with same year, make and model. No safety defect.

8/28/98 recall airbags--7/20/01 water pump replaced--9/5/01 stabilizer link replaced--horn works sometimes.

Cylinder head gasket blew while driving. Dealer said this was covered under a recall, but water pump failed because of gasket, but wouldn't cover the pump.

1997 Cavalier=head gasket became warped and had to be replaced=$900. Thermostat replaced 3 times since purchase, water pump replaced twice. Car returned to dealer every three to six months for the last 3 years for the same problem involving overheating and coolant leaks. Problem continually reoccurs, even after it has been deemed finally repaired.

I will never buy another Chevrolet cavaler, the dealership even ripped me off, they charged me 400 dollars to fix a water hose pump and tension belt, this car has been nothing but problems, and now 5 months later, the vehicle is acting up again. I don't know why Chevrolet won't do anything about the massive maintenance to this car. . . But in the future, I am buying from a foreign company due to all of the maintenance. And on top of all of the other garbage, this was suppose to be a low maintenance car, and that is not even true! I think I can speak for everyone else, that this car is the worse car that was made in 1998. It took me three different times of bringing my car to different dealerships because they didn't fix the recall the first time. I claim discrimination when it comes to Chevrolet dealerships.

We also own a 93 Cavalier that is always having the same problem. No safety defect listed in summary.

The temperature gauge in car rises to very hot. There is no steam or anything coming from car, but you must still stop on the highway and wait for the gauge to read cool before you can continue on. This also happens if you are on a line for any amount of time. Because of this problem I own a car that I drive only around the neighborhood.

Feb 2000 I replaced a faulty water pump continued to have slow coolant leak. . . May 2000 head gasket was found to be bad. No recall and extended warranty was . . . . . Not purchased buy the extended warranty is what I recommend.

Contacted dealership on recall #c00010, dealer agreed to pay part of repairs and not all. Would not pay for dealership charges on pressure testing cooling system even though dealership required it. . . .

I first noticed the coolant light on at low speeds and when I turned corners. The light never stayed on for more than a few seconds, then I took the vehicle into the dealer to get some recall work completed and they told me that a gasket connecting to my water pump has a slow leak. My brother has a 1997 Cavalier z24 and has the same exact problem. I hope you can get something done so others dont have the same problem. Thank you.

My concern is the car is only 3 yrs old and we are continueing to have problems occur, the cigarette lighter has a short in it as well.

In December 1999, I experienced a loss of engine coolant level and the low engine coolant indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. I assumed the thermostat was failing and had a local service station replace it and flush the radiator. Several days later the low engine coolant light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, I had lost some coolant and experienced the smell of hot coolant which I attributed to the recent radiator flush. I took it back to the service station and the coolant system was pressure tested to check for leaks and passed. After being idle for over 1 week, on January 3, 2000, I checked the engine coolant level and it was low. I filled the engine coolant reservior to full and after short trips the level had held at full. On January 4, 2000, while driving to work, I experienced a rough idle and in addition to the low engine coolant level illuminating on the instrument panel, the check engine light and the traction control lights also lit up on the dash. I took it to the dealer, hawthorne Chevrolet, expecting to have them finally resolve my problem and they informed me they suspected my engine block was cracked and estimated the job at over $3400. 00. I noteiced service bulletin #'s 67-62-04, 970501776109 & 970501738309 posted on your website refers to similar defects as those I have experienced. If the engine has a defect, what recourse do I have? I have followed the recommended maintainance schedule and feel frustrated that gm and hawthorne Chevrolet knew of the potential problems but failed to take the preventative measures to avoid perminant damage to the engine. I have taken the car to the service station where I had the thermostat replaced and their conclusion is the head gasget has failed or the head has cracked, based on the fact that there isn't any coolant in the oil pan. I received an estimate of $950. 00 for the repairs. I'm not a happy Cavalier owner. I thank you.

The water keeps leaking from the weep hole and there was no fault of mine or preventive maintenance that I could of done. Due to the location of the water pump (under the exhaust manifold) the repair is very expensive (approximately $800. 00).

Vehicle bought w/bad water pump which was leaking badly. Brakes in rear were making metal to metal noise & were slushy. When vehicle was driven any great distance & then stoppped, it would overheat & then stall out. Hard to restart. Odometer numbers not even & out of sync. Water hose is leaking.

At 8 miles before purchase of car water pump, gasket, thermostat and seal replaced because of coolant leak, at 14,000 miles water sensor replace because coolant light continued to come on, at 15,000 miles coolant coming on again and head gasket replaced. Claims no damage to engine but a mechanic told me they could not tell unless they tear engine down and mic it. At 5,000 miles trunk leaked at 15,000 miles in for continued trunk leak. Front passenger door sticks. Rear passenger door handle sticks out further than rest. Continue to have problems with car. Also had to have mud flaps installed after purchase, they where suppose to come with it. Had to have front passenger seat fixed because it would not move. Car is in william m fowler and barbara a fowler.

Transmission would knock while in park. Vehicle has been in/out of dealer's shop on three occasions, and problem is reoccurring. Also, engine would overheat. All brakes and front rotors replaced.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier 🔎.

Coolant loss, low coolant light, coolant leak odor. Dealership mechanic verifed that it is leaking and damaging the head gasket. He also told me that the 95 Cavalier have this problem on recall. My car was manufactured 11/95, has the same head gasket as the 95, but Chevrolet will not pay to fix it.

We have had problems with this car from the date that it was purchased. The brake rotor problems have been worked on several times, and it will stop for a while, but will continue to worsen with time. The abs light and low coolant light have been on and off for over and year and we were told that we would have to pay to have them fixed, the sound from the exhaust, possibly the catalytic converter, has been going on for over a year and again, we were told we needed to replace it, that it was not covered under warranty. Then engine is sounding more awful as time goes on. . . Lots of noise under the hood especially at crusing speed, and then again when slowing to a stop, and more recently even when idling. Not only was this car not serviced properly when I would bring it in with a complaint, but I feel as if the dealers were purposely putting me off just so the warranty would run out and I would have to fix these problems myself. Obviously I am not the only on that has had similiar problems. And also, the car has been leaking antifreeze for a number of months, but cant seem to find the leak. Definitely can smell the burning antifreeze, especially after an extended trip.