1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: engine failure

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated the engine failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the engine wiring harness was faulty and exposed melted wires. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2005 · Engine · OK

Dt: contact states the timing chain on her vehicle broke on a busy road. The timing chain has been replaced, but within 6 months the timing chain broke again. The engine was replaced in the vehicle. The car started making a loud knocking noise, now the vehicle will only go approximately 15 MPH.

Filed Jun 18, 2003 · Engine · 84,993 miles · CA

I have a 1997 chevrolet cavalier. It only had less then eighty five thousand miles on it and the engine blew up .I was told the reason why was because it had a defective rod in it. I have all the parts ect you can see there's a defect in the metal it goes all the way threw the rod. I find it hard to believe that such a new car would blow up . I took very good care of that car I had to fix some things the chevrolet dealership is a joke out here they are worthless thy mistreated me too. I just want to know if there is anything I can do or someone can do about this? Thank you very much denise boozer p.s. That's appr date when it happened.

Filed Mar 17, 2003 · Engine · 51,000 miles · OK

I have a 1997 chevrolet cavalier that right after purchase (1998) the engine needed replacement. The dealer as per the service contract did this. Skip ahead to now (2003), the car developed a coolant leak. It was looked at and tested by my local mechanic and was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. I called the dealer that replaced the engine and was told that the entire engine was replaced. I asked about them fixing the head gasket, as it should not be leaking (the engine has 38,000 miles on it) they said no. I called gm customer service, they said I would have to have it diagnosed by a gm dealer at the cost of $79.95. This was done, the dealer said it was a bad gasket and/or cracked head. Gm customer service said that since the car was out of warranty and that only a short block was installed they would do nothing about it. My complaint is this; I've been lied to by my local dealer. The cavalier has this known defect. Gm has done nothing to tell me about it, but they have issued a technical service bulletin about it to the dealers. And now they won't repair the vehicle, not will they offer to pay any portion of it's repair. I would like any and all help in forcing gm to fix this.

Filed Oct 20, 1999 · Engine · CA

Car was taken in to dealer twice for a water leak. They did nothing. We gave up and about 38000 mile later, we had a blown engine head gasket.

Filed Sep 2, 1999 · Steering · IL

Power steering seized due to failure of the rack and pinion, dealer replaced rack and pinion, consumer states that vehicle pulled to the right and stopped just short of hitting a tree.

Filed Nov 5, 1998 · Engine · WA

Engine failure after numerous service problems. Ie: failure of fuel pump, failure of coil and housing as a result of oil residue and cracks around the crank sensor, failure of iac motor, total ignition failure on four occasions. Complete engine failure directly related to problems outlined in gm service bulletin. Automobile had not reached recommended mileage for first scheduled tune-up as per manufacture recommendations. Contact of gmac customer service resulted in no assistance in the engine replacement.

Filed Oct 15, 1998 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

Front brake pads/rotor wore out, causing vibration when brakes are applied. Also dealer replaced engine mounts/ignition switch. Brake line was found rubbing against axle shaft and was fixed. In addition, front end shakes/vibrates.