This car shuts off while driving like the gm cars being mentioned in the news today. Started in 2005 and was evaluated by multiple mechanics including a chevrolet dealership that kept it over a month. It doesn't show a code when it happens. It randomly shuts off while you are driving (varied speeds). It also randomly won't start. Totally unpredictable when it will quit on you or not start.resetting did not help.car was purchased for daughter (new driver) to drive, but was too unsafe.
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems
100 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,714. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 100
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 60,714
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Horn24
- Ignition: switch22
- Ignition13
- Wiring: interior/under dash5
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5
- Starter assembly5
- Ignition: module5
- Alternator/generator/regulator5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. 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 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V070000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fire in steering column area
PE02001
What 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There's alot of stuff wrong with this car. It ran good and is reliable when running,but recently stop running.
Yes car will turn over but won't start it does this at time or u can press the gas to try and start interior light don't work.
Speedometer and odometer just stopped working,and I was told my throttle cable is just barely hanging on.
I have just got a 1996 chevy cavalier and the anti theft light came on and shut down going down the hwy 50 miles per hour no brakes or steering . The ignition switck it has a code silinder now it want run or nuthing it turns over but want start.
Interior lamps coming on unexpectedly and/or stay on after car is turned off. I purchased this car when it was two years old. I took the car back several times complaining about this problem. They could not repair the problem. I finally got tired of complaining and I removed the fuse - so that the light would remain off (of course this is also a fuse to several other items within the car). But, it was they only way I could resolve this problem myself.
Dt: the consumer stated he bought a car on 6-29-05 from klick lewis inc. On his way home when he applied the brakes, suddenly the car felt like it was coming apart. He called the dealer where he bought the car and they told him the vehicle needed front rotors. On friday 7-15-05; before he had taken it in to have the rotors put on, he noticed the car was full of smoke. He called the fire dept. And they came out and diffused the fire and told him that it was an electrical problem and the car could have caught on fire. He then called the salesperson that sold him the car and they said they would have someone get back to him. He has made 5 telephone calls to them and no one has returned his calls.
Consumer experienced problems while having the 1996 chevrolet cavalier recall repairs performed. *mr recall campaign#02v286000. There were problems with the steering mechanism, the ignition and the air bag. *sc the consumer believed that none of the recall repairs were ever made on the vehicle.
The drivers side headlight was dim and it made it very hard to see at night. The has received numerous tickets about this problem. The consumer has noticed this on two or three vehicles a week on cavalier's and sunfire's. The consumer called the dealer and they said they had been having problems with the wire harness in this type of vehicle.
The vehicle stalled causing the driver to pull off the road. *ak the trunk would lock without the remote entry, the check engine light flickered and the vehicle would not start. *sc
Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the electrical of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,714 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V070000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Cavalier have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Cavalier model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (211 complaints), 2004 (185 complaints) and 1997 (107 complaints).
Other 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Engine 118Airbags 73Brakes 60Transmission 54Steering 49Lights 29Suspension 27Visibility 27Seat belts 21Fuel system 18Acceleration 14Body 13Seats 12Locks 7Tires 7Wheels 4Driver assistance 2
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