Check a VIN

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine complaints

Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 118, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Apr 22, 2004 · Engine · 134,000 miles · MI

134,000 miles on chevrolet cavalier, stalled on road-timing chain broken but this is a secondary problem to loss of compression. Previous recall on this?.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 142,000 miles · NY

July 2002 manual transaxle leak- replaced left and right seals; march 2003, left seal replaced; october 2003 right seal replaced. October 2003, low coolant light comes on when driving up hills in 2nd or 3rd gear and sometimes on flats- same gears. Dealer claims that there is an antifreeze leak and that the head gasket is blown, meanwhile I took it in for the leaking transaxle- I can't win.

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 6, 2004 · Engine · WV

While driving at 55 MPH, the engine died. There was no power steering or brakes and the consumer was to pull over. The dealer inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak the service dealer could not duplicate the problem. *sc

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 Dec 12, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 60,714 miles · FL

Head gasket on my 1996 chevrolet cavalier. We couldn't figure out why the vehicle would continue to stall , after placing nearly $800.00 worth of new parts in vehicle, changing several alternators and starters, from the ingnition swith recall. I had taken to a mechanic and found out the car had a blown head gasket. Which, apparently there is a recall on other cavaliers, although not with my VIN number. I have called gm motors and they want me to have the car diagnosised at their dealership, costing $100-$200. And now having to spend $400-$600 on another defect from these recalls, is really frustrating my family, espically my husband. We don't have the extra money to keep placing in this vechile, I'm a full time student with a 2 year old son and work only part time. I need a reliable car. I can't spend more money at the dealership and not have a guarentee that they wouldn' fix this part. I know that all the people I have spoken to in school,work and out any where else, hospital for clinicals will not purchase any gm motors vechiles, due to them not wanting to go through this themselves and how I've been unfairly treated by this manufactor. All I want is for this to be resolved. Thank you.

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Engine · 60,680 miles · FL

Engine failure- stalling at high/low speeds. No steering,brakes, very frightening!! Already spent enormous amounts of money at mechanics to find problem. Probably another recall on vehicle. Almost becoming many accidents due to 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 Jul 16, 2003 · Engine · 101,710 miles · CA

Excessive coolant leakage from under car. Car heats up, causing to pullover constantly to get the car to cool down. Seems to be a head gasket problem.

Filed Jun 29, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · 39,500 miles · MN

Fuel pump seal disintegrated. Cost $1,081.00 (including 3 day car rental). Earlier this year there was a recall on the steering column and I wound up paying an additional $600 for other defects not covered by the recall. Think that this and many additional problems on this car constitute it being a lemon. More than 5 recalls in 7 years.

Filed Jun 28, 2003 · Engine · TX

Car suddenly leaked coolant, engine temp was reading hot on dash. Thought problem was related to a stuck thermostat, replaced thermostat and coolant. Belt starts slipping a couple weeks later, and engine light comes on. In the process of replacing radiator, water pump, and belt.

Filed Jun 24, 2003 · Engine · IL

The antifreeze is leaking onto the head gasket area of my car. Antifreeze has been refilled every week due to this problem. After having the problem looked at by a mechanic, I became aware that this could lead to the head gaskets being blown.

Filed Apr 29, 2003 · Engine · OH

The engine stalled while driving at highway speeds.

Filed Mar 28, 2003 · Engine · FL

The head gasket failed.

Filed Mar 11, 2003 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MN

Over heating due to head gasket/ thermostat problems.

Filed Nov 6, 2002 · Engine · IN

8/28/98 recall airbags--7/20/01 water pump replaced--9/5/01 stabilizer link replaced--horn works sometimes

Filed Oct 12, 2002 · Engine · CO

Another cavalier with a failed head gasket that chevrolet refuses to acknowledge. Good thing I put off buying that 2003. The neon is looking better every day. Mr

Filed Sep 27, 2002 · Engine · MD

While driving approximately 5mph in heavy traffic the car engine cut out, with noindication of any problem. The mechanic from the chevrolet dealer where the car was regularly service could find no reason why the engine had failed. The diagnosis was: engine piston cracked, number 1 spark plug cracked and burn, spun rod in lifters causing car not to start, engine needs to be replaced. I was also advised that an engine replacement would be approximately $4,500. After consulting with another mechanic, I replaced the engine elsewhere. The mechanic there could not offer a explaination other than a defect for the engine failure. Both mechanics noted how well the engine looked despite the failure. Regular engine maintenence had always been done in a timely manner, and the car had clearly been driven abusively. Ts

Filed Sep 13, 2002 · Engine · WA

Consumer states that while vehicle was parked in garagae ,theirs was smoke coming form the front of the vehicle. Vehicle was serviced , maybe smoke came for anti lock brakes or engine. Cause still unknwown.

Filed Jul 16, 2002 · Engine · IA

This was very expensive to fix and the dealer thought I should of expected it. No safety defect mentioned.

Filed Jun 30, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Vehicle will crank but not start, dealer found bad starter and replaced. Consumer is requesting full reimbursement from manufacturer. *tt there was a recall for the ignition switch. Updated

Filed May 22, 2002 · Engine · WI

2.4l engine needed to be replaced because none of the instrument panel gauges show signs of trouble. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed May 22, 2002 · Engine · WI

While driving at highway speed of 55-60 MPH vehicle started to run rough and cut off. Dealer contacted, and informed of a blown head gasket on the 2.4l engine. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Apr 29, 2002 · Engine · FL

Vehicle is overheating. While driving to keep vehicle from overheating has to turn fan on for air conditioning. Dealer contacted.

Filed Apr 16, 2002 · Engine · TN

There is a burning smell in vehicle while driving.

Filed Mar 18, 2002 · Engine · OH

While driving vehicle started to overheat. Consumer had a mechanic look at vehicle. Mechanic stated that there was a leak in front end of engine. *ak

Filed Mar 8, 2002 · Engine · MI

06/99 blown head gasket, timing chain, minor valve damage, replace whole top part of engine. 10/01 motor mounts replaced due to minor oil leak, advised to keep eye on leak, will fix if gets worse. 01/02 oil leak worse , replaced head gasket and starter. 02/02 ignition wires smoking, replaced ignition wires, fried starter and cylinod. 03/02 (55243 miles,) engine pulling in air from bad head gasket or cracked engine and is spitting out antifreeze from engine. Dealership is stilling determining exact problem. Chevrolet customer service will not acknowledge head gasket problems. Need a major recall.

Filed Feb 20, 2002 · Engine · NY

While driving head gasket leaks oil, also low coolant light illuminates on dash. Please provide any further information.

Filed Oct 19, 2001 · Engine, Suspension · MI

After listening to a squeek noise from trunk area proceed to a clunking noise, I took vehicle in for service. Was advised by dealer that rear strut and it's mount had failed requiring both to be replaced at a cost of over $800. I feel the failure of this assembly to be a manufacturers defect. Muffler failed prematurely. Water pump failed prematurley. Starting to think 1996 cavalier was not engineered very well.

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

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history