1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 158,721 miles · TX

There's alot of stuff wrong with this car. It ran good and is reliable when running,but recently stop running.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 17,035 miles · CA

I replaced the battery on my 1996 chevrolet cavalier 2.4l with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. I had to call a friend to jump me 3 more times before reaching my home which was less than a mile away!

Filed Sep 9, 2010 · Engine · 226,250 miles · CA

I purchased a 1996 chevy cavalier in 1999 and from the beginning had problems with the check engine light continually on etc. From 1999 to sept 2010 - I took it to several chevy dealers while it was under warranty and they never fixed the problem completely and the lights remained on. I was told to put fuel injection cleaner in it by one car dealer of course that didn't work. Years later and many repairs, engine rebuilt, thermostat replaced, water pumps, fans etc.. Four catalytic converters I still have the same problem - loss of power, car shutting off and leaving me in intersection, freeways etc.. Causing a very dangerous situation, I have over these years become very frustrated the codes read o2 sensors, the cat converter pieces fall apart easily causing very costly repairs because these defective parts clog the air flow causing overheating and loss of power, it should not be this difficult or cost to keep this car in repair order. Cat converters, sensors, head gaskets, seals, water pumps, sticking thermostats etc.. Continually replaced and still the same on going problem with no hope of ever finally fixing this dangerous defective problem.

Filed Jun 13, 2008 · Engine · 220,000 miles · MD

I am the owner of a 1996 4 door, 2.2 liter chevrolet cavalier automobile that has a faulty timing belt tensioner. The tensioner went and the timing belt skipped, thus causing major damage to the vehicle engine. This vehicle flaw is well documented in some car review magazines.

Filed Feb 26, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Ets and check engine lift on all the time. From the time that I purchased the car these two lights remained on. The car would lose power while I was driving causing me to be left in the middle of intersections and traffic. I took the car back for repairs numerous times to the dealer and the seller and to various car repair places. But, no one was able to find the problem and repair it. A few years ago - I took my car for repairs to another chevorlet dealer and they told me that it was the catalytic converter. And that it would be cheaper to have it replaced tby someone other than a dealer. So, I took my car muffler repair and had it replaced (at a very expensive cost). The lights did not go off after the repair. I was told they had to be re set which they could not do. So, I took it to a car repair place and had the lights reset. It seemed to fix the problem. Now, a year or so has gone by and the lights came back on. A few months later the car started to lose power again and I took it back to the muffler shop - they could find no problem . Again I took it to a repair place and had the lights reset. At this time the lights have remain off, but the car still loses power off and on.

Filed Feb 26, 2008 · Engine · CA

The engine/car turned off and looses all power while driving.. Causing a very dangerous problem. Without reason this car turns off and looses power while fully engaged in drive, this leaves me the driver without power in the middle of various intersections and main streets...very scary.

Filed Nov 26, 2007 · Engine, Fuel system · 93,309 miles · FL

Blown head gasket vehicle over heating, nothing has been done to repair issue; head gasket recall. The vehicle is running very badly even though a complete tune up has been done; fuel system recall suspension making lots of noise; rear suspension recall.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

While driving any speed, the vehicle over heats and antifreeze would leak. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · MI

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