1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Steering · TN · crash · 1 injury

When my car first started acting up, the steering would kind of hang when turing to the left. I am not a mechanic so I thought it was the power steering going out. I changed the power steering pump which helped it some. About two days later my friend and I were going to school, while going around a curve to the left, the steering wheel hung again. I thought it would straighten back out but I was wrong. The steering wheel jerked to the right sending us off the road right into a tree at about 30 m\p\h. My friend suffered an injury to his hip and had to have surgery. My car was totaled because of severe damage to the front of the car. I never got the recall statement and have yet to. Gm has now said they will not compinsate me or my friend for damages sustained.

Filed Sep 1, 2002 · Brakes · PA

When attempting to stop brakes grab causing the car to jerk several times before stopping. This occurs on both wet and dry pavement. In addition to this, when it rains the car has a delayed reaction with the brakes, often requiring about 10 feet before coming to a complete stop. Brakes are also continuously squeaking/squealing, regardless of whether the brakes are new or worn.

Filed Oct 18, 2001 · Brakes · CA

The car jerks when the brakes are applied. The dealer replaced the rotors at around 25,000 miles. The next time it happened, it was at around 40,000 miles. The dealer would not replace the rotors. At around 64,000 miles it has started again. The first time I had to take this to the dealer, they knew with out looking at the car what it was. I feel that this is a safety issue and these rotors are defective and the company should have to replace them.

Filed Apr 2, 2000 · Engine, Suspension · PA

In jul7 of 1999, the ets off light and theengine check light came on. The mechanic said the computer showed due to emission regulations, the egr valve needed replaced. Replaced the valve, a month later the two lights came on again. I was told the egr valve was defective. Had it replaced again. A couple months later, the two lights came on again. The mechanic told us the system was very sensitive, but the egr was fine and just reset the lightls. Last week the two lights came on again, the egr was replaced again. The next day, the car started jerking fiercely and the two lights came on again. I don't know what the problem is with this system and we are having a difficult time finding the problem. I don't know if it's a computer defect, a valve defect or what. But it's not save to have a vehicle that constantly shuts off the traction system due to this problem and causes the car to jek while driving.

Filed Jan 23, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Horn: has never worked from the time the car was received. Have had the dealer fix it 3 times but it still doesn't work. Heater fan: failed during the winter of 1997. Past warranty period?? Have not gotten it fixed yet. Engine problem: stalls intermittently while driving after the car has warmed up, especially when coming to a stop. Will hesitate and jerk while driving it. Have replaced: spark plug wires, plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump and have had the catalytic converter checked. Problem is not resolved. Unable to drive it more than 2 miles. Ignition: key would not turn in ignition/ replaced by dealer x 3.

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?