VehicleVerdict

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 356 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Cavalier year — the 2001 model ranks #9 of 26 Cavalier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 43 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (64), brakes (46), and transmission (36), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

356

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

43

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Cavalier years?

See all Cavalier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6418%
Brakes4613%
Transmission3610%
Engine339%
Fuel System339%
Steering267%
Airbags216%
Suspension175%
Body & Structure144%
Visibility & Wipers123%
Other123%
Lighting93%
Speed Control82%
Seat Belts82%
Tires & Wheels82%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Child Seat31%
Latches & Locks21%
Seats10%

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E063000SteeringOctober 17, 2008 · 3,855 units

Defect

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 DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

04V036000Electrical SystemJanuary 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOORS, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WIRING IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2018 · fire

WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A WHILE. LAST MONTH I COULD NOT COME TO A STOP AT ALL AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END I ASKED AROUND AND FOUND ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 14, 2003 · crash

ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE 10TH TIME IN 2 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP RESETS THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES DOES REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN RELATED TO EITHER GAS OR POWERTRAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 16, 2003

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON IR 80 IN THE RIGHT LANE. UNIT 1 CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA WHILE DRIVING. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0259-90) *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 8, 2011 · fire

VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. PULLED OVER SAFELY. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP DETERMINE FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT A COSTS OF $ 640.00 CAR HAS ONLY 29000 MILES ON IT. OWN A 2001 OLDS ALERO. FUEL PUMP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 13, 2008

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 356 complaints put the 2001 model at #9 of 26 Cavalier years. It is one of the Cavalier years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Cavalier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (64 complaints), brakes (46 complaints), transmission (36 complaints).

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Cavalier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cavalier years to avoid are 2003, 1997, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 1995, 2005, 2001, 1999. The cleanest record among Cavalier years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.