1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: engine knocking or ticking

7 of the 503 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 16 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2003
3
2002
1
2001
5
2000
2
1999
3
1998
2
1997
10
1996
7
1995
6
1994
2
1992
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 26, 2003 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 100 miles · FL

I purchased a 1996 chevrolet cavalier ls from advanced care care inc in orlando florida 9-23-03 this car is a lemon. List of problems with it (was sold to me telling me nothing was wrong with it ). *ak problems ive paid to fix so far engine replaced head job (blown head gasket) 02 sensor twice ECM computer twice coil pack- 3 times icm 5 times engine strut transmount front engine mount brakes rotors main rod bearings catalytic convertor they are now saying it needs another engine that the crankshaft is bad , it is pouring out oil, I cant go past 3 rpms it has sudden acceleration that has almost caused multiple accidents the car has a stalling problem as well which has almost costed me and my son our life. Advanced car care inc (silverstar road) in orlando florida sold me this car notifying me nothing was wrong with it. I have already paid 7,000 dollars in repairs and the car is even more messed up than what it was. Everytime I pay for something to be fixed something else wrong shows up... I took it to the chevrolet dealership and the mechanics were all shocked at this car. They sd the have never seen a car built this messed up before. The computer was shooting out 13 different codes. This is a lemon car. I need it fixed or replaced also s & s automotive in apopka florida charged me 1,515 in repairs which they never gave me a written quote or even on the phone. They lied to me about parts being new when they were used. They installed my catalytic convertor wrong as well. They did work and labor to the car and charged me for it without my concent.. When I went to pick up the car and I test drove it I was shocked that now the crank shaft is all of a sudden bad and it will cost me 2,000 there or 5,000 at the dealership. I am a single mom and I dont even have a dollar to my name right now. Couldnt buy my son any gifts for christmas after paying all of these car bills and now im stuck with this lemon of a car .

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Wheels · NJ

Approx. 1 month ago, the car began to "knock" and shake very badly. I drove it to a repair shop near my home, where it was diagnosed with 5 broken bolts in the front driver's side wheel. This was fixed. Yesterday (7/24/02), at approx. 12:00 noon, I was driving with my children northbound on route 18 in east brunswick, nj, when the car began to knock and shake again, and my front passenger side wheel just fell off. Luckily, due to traffic conditions, I was in the right lane and not travelling very fast (@ 20-25 MPH). Luckily, I was right at the entrance to a mobil station when it happened, and the wheel rolled into their parking lot; I found the pieces of the bolts that were broken all around the parking lot. The wheel caused a small amount of damage to the back of a car (a backup sensor was broken) that was in the lot. This damage was around $200; the cost to put my wheel back on, and for all new bolts on that wheel was about $100. There is also damage to my passenger side fender, for which I have not gotten an estimate for, my husband is guessing about $700; could I furnish you with an exact estimate at a later date? Additionally, upon puttingthe wheel back on, they discovered damage to the "u-joint". We transfered the car to our own mechanic to have this problem addressed; I will have more receipts, probably tomorrow. I am also having the mechanic replace the bolts and lugnuts on both rear wheels - I strongly feel that there must be something wrong with these bolts for them to keep breaking like this.

Filed Feb 19, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Knocking noise near trunk area, burning smell constantly, panel lights always show something wrong, ets off light blinking, tilt sticks, horn defective, don't start in warm weather,popping noise in rear side, coolant leaks, power steering hoses had to be replaced because they burned up and leaked fluid onto exhaust system, window rattles when coming down, window not aligned right air comes through on both sides,alarm doesn't work 85% of the time even with new batteries, nothing but problems since june 1, 1999.

Filed Apr 20, 1999 · Engine · IL

When driving engine makes a loud knocking noise that increases when the accelerator is being applied. Dealer says the vehicle needs a new engine.

Filed Jan 20, 1999 · Engine · MI

Enigine started to make a loud knocking sound that eventually LED to the blowing of the enigine.

Filed Dec 9, 1998 · Engine · GA

While driving there is a loud ticking noise coming from the engine, and the vehicle has been in the shop four timers for the same problem. Dealer repaired the vehicle again,and the problem returned. Consumer stated that someone tampered with the mileage in the vehicle. Dealer stated that vehicle has not been moving.

Filed Nov 10, 1998 · Suspension · MD

While driving experienced a knocking noise in front right side which the occupant believes may cause an accident. Been to dealer, dealer cannot determine problem. Please provide further information.