1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Jan 4, 2006 · Brakes · FL

I heard of a recent recall concerning the ABS braking system on gm vehicles. It sounds like what has happened to my son''s 1997 chevrolet cavalier. When coming to a stop at below 10 miles per hour, for no reason the ABS system kicked in making it very difficult to stop safely. I had to pull the fuse and by-pass the system to make the car safe to drive again.

Filed Sep 20, 2004 · Brakes · NJ

My ABS light went on after I had the brakes done. This occured several weeks after. My mechanic look at it and said the computer board was broken and it would be expensive. So now the automatic braking system does not work.

Filed Feb 10, 2003 · Brakes · KS

Took car to dealership to see why ABS brake light stayed on. They found the bearings had fallen out of ABS box. The mechanic stated it was a sealed unit and he did not know how the bearings fell out. Abs system does not work.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

Have put 3 alternators on this car, even when under warranty before 12,000 miles (approximately). Brakes have been replaced at least 3 times. Now, the brakes have failed completely and the ABS light came on. Dealer says no recalls, except for the ignition system. Scheduled that for repair 7/23/02. Seat belt plastic covers snapped off (belt loose on one and hit by car door when shutting it. The other one just popped off. Belt continues to slip off engine, causes stalling even if driving 55 MPH. Now brakes intermittently failing. Left front brake continues to have brake dust accumulate on wheel cover. Car has 110,000 miles on it (engine repaired last year). Car is also overheating; has had tstat replaced, radiator fluid. What else could cause this, I don't know.

Filed Jan 28, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

Defect 1: ABS light would come on when making a left hand turn. Abs would no longer activate while light was on. Defect 2: alternator--went out while driving in city traffic, rush hour. Had previously asked dealer to check, but they claimed it was functioning properly. Defect 3: rack and pinion steering assembly--went out shortly after alternator, while driving in the dealership parking lot. Defect 4: timing chain tensioner--technician said this caused major engine damage--gears, head, etc. Defect 5: horn--has worked sporadically, at best, for the last year and a half. Seemed like a short.

Filed Apr 7, 2000 · Brakes, Engine · OK

We have had problems with this car from the date that it was purchased. The brake rotor problems have been worked on several times, and it will stop for a while, but will continue to worsen with time. The ABS light and low coolant light have been on and off for over and year and we were told that we would have to pay to have them fixed, the sound from the exhaust, possibly the catalytic converter, has been going on for over a year and again, we were told we needed to replace it, that it was not covered under warranty. Then engine is sounding more awful as time goes on...lots of noise under the hood especially at crusing speed, and then again when slowing to a stop, and more recently even when idling. Not only was this car not serviced properly when I would bring it in with a complaint, but I feel as if the dealers were purposely putting me off just so the warranty would run out and I would have to fix these problems myself. Obviously I am not the only on that has had similiar problems. And also, the car has been leaking antifreeze for a number of months, but cant seem to find the leak. Definitely can smell the burning antifreeze, especially after an extended trip.

Filed Jan 14, 2000 · Brakes · IL

Abs braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash.

Filed Oct 25, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · CT

Have had many problems with car - at 20,000 - the dealer replaced the front brakes and machined rotors, after I requested they be checked due to squeaking. Service covered under warranty. At 30,000 - the battery failed on car while parked. Had car towed to dealership and replaced battery. Dealer stated that there was a faulty battery cell. Service covered under warranty. At 40,000 miles, horn has failed. Currently negotiating with dealer to replace without cost. Have always had ABS problems - car will buck and jerk under certain wet pavement conditions when ABS should not activate. Concerned about this - but cannot afford cost of replacing ABS. Dealer has looked at brakes and said nothing about ABS problems. Have banging/clanging noise from right rear of car when car is cold. Unsure what causes this. After reading the consumer complaints and defects on this website, believe that my car has these same defects. Frightened that my car is now incredibly unreliable and may catch fire like other cars listed. Suggestions?

Filed Oct 8, 1999 · Brakes · CT · crash

I was in heavy stop and go traffic. I was following the vehicle ahead of me at a safe distance (the other drive will certify this). That vehicle stopped suddenly, and I applied my brakes to stop as well. My vehicle slowed down inadequately and I rear-ended the other vehicle. I estimate my speed before I applied the brakes to be between 10 and 15 MPH, and that I had between 30 and 40 feet between me and the vehicle ahead of me. I would have normally expect not to have any problems stopping under these curcumstances. As I try to remember the incident, I remember the brake pedal being very hard -- I was consciously pushing the brake as hard as I could. I have practiced emergency stopping and evasive lane change maneuvers on every car I have owned. This car does have ABS, but I'm convinced that the ABS failed to work correctly, and contributed to the accident.

Filed Oct 4, 1999 · Brakes · IN

Abs system is working intermittently, and when applying the brakes at any speed back wheels lock up.

Filed Jul 23, 1999 · Brakes · VA

Abs starts rapid action at slightest bump on road (even slightly raised painted intersection road lines) causing greatly increased stopping distances and almost resulting in rear end collisions

Filed Jan 5, 1999 · Brakes · MI

Abs system failure. When trying to stop brakes will lock up. Applied a little pressure or slowly stepped on the pedal to stop. Sounds of puffs of air and metal clacking together occurred. Dealer contacted, and is aware of the problem. Dealer states the problem is the design of the brakes and no other problem. Problem still exists and getting worse. Provide further information.