1995 Chevrolet Cavalier: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 13, 2006 · Engine · OH · fire

1995 chevrolet cavalier lost power, when coming to a stop. Vehicle caught on fire. *ts

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Electrical · 168,006 miles · MI · fire

Fire under hood - had the recall ignition work done on 09/23/2003 while getting the fifth alternator replaced since march of 2002. On 03/28/2004 car would not start for 20 minutes. Finally started, drove approx. 2 miles when smoke poured out from under hood, parked and raised hood, flames. Fire was put out by extinguisher. This is the same problem I read about in the recall notice before I got the recall work done on the ignition. Called dealer that did the recall work who stated he had never heard of a fire after the recall work had been done.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Electrical · OH · fire

Vehicle caught on fire due to a short circuit in the ignition.

Filed May 6, 2002 · Engine · VA

While driving, thick heavy smoke came from head gasket, also anti-freeze leaked from vehicle. This was the third time this matter had occurred. Took to dealer. It has been repaired twice, and it was happening again. *ak

Filed Mar 3, 2002 · Body, Brakes · WI

The first incident with my 1995 base model chevrolet cavalier was when the horn stopped working, when I needed it most on a freeway when someone was about to hit me while changing lanes. The horn failed, and it had to be replaced at a cost of about $100, which I covered, since the vehicle was recently off of warranty. Months later, the trunk latch refused to work. I could not open the trunk from the rear or from the inside of the car. In late 2000, my brakes were making grinding noises. Turns out the rotors were badly warped at 50,000 miles. Now, 15,000 miles later, the brakes are grinding again, which leads me to believe that the rotors may once again be warped. At the beginning of 2002, I took my car in for a routine inspection, only to discover that the head gasket was cracked and leaking coolant all over my engine. The head gasket had to be replaced, which was a very costly repair. Only recently have I heard that this may or may not be covered by a "secret" warranty up to 7 years or 100,000 miles, something I wish I had been notified of before this happened. Finally, within weeks of the head gasket repair, the plastic on the driver's seatbelt snapped off, so now I must have the entire seatbelt replaced. I am very disappointed with all of the problems I have experienced with this car, and I have heard that other cavalier owners have had even worse experiences than me! I would like to see general motors stand by their products and at least reimburse me for some of the head gasket repair cost, which was nearly seven hundred dollars, but this may only be a pipe dream. There should be a recall on the cavalier engine head gaskets for the 2.2 l engines. This seems to be a long-running problem on cavaliers throughout the 1990s that gm has yet to publicly admit or address. What will it take for them to recall it, someone dying on the road when his or her car either stalls in busy traffic or catches on fire?

Filed Jan 28, 2002 · Fuel system, Steering · CA · fire

Power steering rack and pinion. While driving vehicle cut out like starved for gas, then died and wouldn't restart, replace tank electric fuel pump assembly. Ck p/steering for leaks, p/steering pump leaking fluid, r and rps pump and reseal completed, p/steering pump bushing getting worn. On another occassion replace pressure hose due to lost of power steering. Coolant light comes on and car overheates. Vehicle caught on fire due to leakage, oil and power steering pump fluid was leaking, totalled.

Filed Jan 19, 2002 · Electrical · WI · fire

Total loss of vehicle. Went to start my car, wouldn't start. Turned key, starter clicked, but engine didn't turn over. Turned key again, engine did not turn over. Turned key to "off" position, then the engine began to turn over, with the key in the "off" position. Removed key and went into house. App. 15 minutes later car was completely engulfed in flames. Fire department stated "electrical malfunction" was cause of fire. Prior to this fire have had several experiences of car not starting for a week at a time and then suddenly will start. This all began after having recall work done appx. 2 years ago on PCM.

Filed Aug 21, 2001 · Electrical · MD · fire

Consumer tried to start vehicle up after being parked for an hour. Vehicle failed to start. Consumer left to make a call, came back, and found smoke coming from dashboard. Electrical wires were burned. Consumer didn't smell anything prior to last time when vehicle was driven.

Filed Jul 10, 2000 · Electrical · NJ

Driver noticed smoke coming from steering column , driver pulled over and took key out of igniton, but vehicle kept running ,would not turn off. Towed truck came to pick up vehicle, and notice that steering wheel was locked and would not unlock. Also, could not put vehicle into neutral. Defect possibly caused by ignition burning out.