1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: sudden loss of power

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 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 Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 63,871 miles · OK

Driving down the road, motor stops running and I lost all power both steering and electrical. Got it to the side of the road. Waited 2 minutes and started it back up it was fine. Only did this 2 times within a week period. Engine idle rough since I purchased it in 1998. Took it in and they said they could not find anything. Came back several times they essentially said thay could do nothing thats just how they run. Motor surges and lags after start up. Regardless of temperature. Push pedal motor bogs down and then it will take off. Replaced almost every sensor under the hood problem is still present. Battery took a dump at almost 4 years. Engine spun #3 and #4 bearings on a cold start up. They advised me that I needed a water pump at the same time.pass power window was always slow. Replaced approx mid 2002 rear suspension clunks and sounds like it has lumber in the trunk. Wheel studs snap easily as I have replace approximately 10. Rear brakes drag and grab even after replacement. Front brakes wear excessively. Rubber muffler hanger wears out. Replaced 2 times.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Steering · 61,199 miles · FL

My 1996 chevy cavalier, steering wheel locked up , while driving 50 MPH on a busy road.I totally lost power and I pulled over, after almost being hit by several other cars. This is another major concern for this vechile.gm, should inquire more about this problem!

Filed Jul 31, 2003 · Engine · WV

Consumer stated while driving the vehicle at 55mph, it shut off. There was a loss of power steering and brakes which caused the consumer to pull off the road. Two dealers inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicate or correct the problem. Please provide any further information.

Filed Oct 19, 2001 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

Consumer states it took four years before anyone could determine what was causing vehicle to lose all power casuing consumer not to be able to stop, driving several feet with the ABS light on, the dealer finally discovered that the A/C and the compressor were programmed by the manufacturer to be on at all times, adversely affecting the compressor, brakes, and power, and the mechanic found a way to get the A/C and compressor to stay off, causing the problems to cease.jb

Filed May 31, 2000 · Engine · TX

When car was traveling at roughly 45 MPH, car suddenly lost engine power, though still had electrical power. Subsequent repair showed cam gear had broken, causing timing chain to break. This sent part through engine, damaging 3rd cylinder (valves coming unseated or damage to head). Orig. Part is plastic, replacement is metal. This resulted in repair charge of $1600+ to repair damage caused by inferior part. As vehicle is out of warranty, cust. Forced to pay charge.

Filed Oct 26, 1999 · Engine · MI

The first problem with my cavalier was about 3 months after I bought the car. I was idling in a drive-thru when all the lights on the concole flashed and the car went dead. The car wouldn't restart. I pushed it to the side and waited a few minutes and tried again. I called a tow truck and several hours later, the tow truck arrived and at that time, the car started. I called taylor jeep (where I have a service contract) and they said it might have just been bad gas or the car overheating and to not worry about it since the car is running. Four days later, I was driving on the expressway when the lights on the console flashed and the car lost all power including anit-lock brakes and powersteering. I coasted to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I then called a tow truck and had the car towed to taylor jeep. After checking out the car, the services department couldn't find anything wrong. The car started fine. I explained that there was obviously something wrong if the car shut down, and to please continue looking. Taylor jeep ended up replacing the starter?! On march 23, 1999, I was driving on the expressway, and again, the lights flashed on the console and the car lost all power. I pulled to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I had the vehicle towed back to taylor jeep. This time they repaired the ignition switch in the steering column. Then on march 31, 1999 while driving on the expressway, the exact same problem occured. I again had the car towed to taylor jeep. This time they didn't find anything to fix. I picked up the car after 5 days. After the last incident, I didn't have any problems with the car until october 20, 1999. While accelerating onto the expressway, going about 40mph, the lights flashed on the console and the car shut down. It restarted after about 20 minutes. I drove it to taylor jeep and this time they sent it to taylor chevrolet. After testing, they were unable to find anything wrong with the car.

Filed Aug 19, 1999 · Steering · OH

This is a second report of the power steerig failure. The first was loss of power assist only. The second failure was total lock up of the steering system. The rack and pinnion assembly has been replaced, it would be available for your inspection until 8/25/99. The failure occured after backing out of a parking space which required a complete turn t

Filed Jul 23, 1999 · Engine · NY

While driving at highway speeds the vehicle began to lose power and eventually shut down completely, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Jul 6, 1999 · Steering · OH

Loss of power assist three times, have not driven since 7/1/99. We are taking in for service 7/7/99.

Filed Mar 13, 1997 · Transmission · NY

Was driving and car lost power and smoke come out of car. Took to dealer, he said that clutch fluid was overfilled not kept right clutch, has damage and needs to be replaced.