1998 Chevrolet Cavalier: brake failure

Filed Jun 18, 2003 · Engine · 27,500 miles · WY · crash · 1 injury

My daughter was driving her 1998 chevrolet cavalier when the engine stalled and she had not power. She tried turning on a side street she had no power steering and no brakes. She tried to get out of way of a truck that was approaching her but couldn't and her car went underneath the truck. Needless to say the car was totaled. The engine stalled once while it was idling so she had to get it jumped. My husband and I thought she might has left something on or wasn't quite sure about what really happened when it died while being parked. I drove it the next day and it seemed fine. After the accident happen she told us that sometimes when she would put the car in reverse it would die. She would has to put it in park and the re-start the engine and the car was fine. We only had the car for a month. We don't know if the transmission had problems or if this was an electrical problem.

Filed Sep 5, 2002 · Engine · MD

Consumer states after coming to a complete stop, hit the accelerator to pull off and the vehicle cut off, consumer had no brakes and no steering. Had to hit a curb to stop vehicle. Contacted dealer.

Filed Aug 9, 2000 · Brakes · CT · crash

I previously reported this and received odi number: 724108 - my vehicle was totalled in this accident. The brakes failed 4 times and in an attempt to avoid hitting a vehicle stopped in front, had to steer off the road onto a bank. This resulted in hitting a boulder and subsequently the vehicle flipped over onto the driver's side. The only reason there were no injuries or fatalities was due to the seatbelt being worn, and the airbags deploying. I had at least 25 if not more incidences where the brakes failed and was told by the dealer upon having them checked out previously was that there was nothing wrong. I notified chevrolet after the accident, and was told I have no recourse because I didn't have the vehicle back to the dealer 3 times. I could have had it back 100 times and would have gotten nowhere. In the time of owning this vehicle, had to replace the brake pads twice and the rotors once. There is something wrong when an anti-lock brake system causes the brakes to fail. The only thing good about this mess is that my son, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, wasn't hurt or killed. I have not as yet notified gm as they don't care if they are producing vehicles which can cause serious injury or death. I previously owned a gm jimmy with exactly the same problems with the braking system and was involved in a class action suit against gm. I don't know what happened with it - I sold the jimmy and purchased this cavalier which ultimately resulted in permanently losing my car. Why doesn't someone do something to stop gm before someone is seriously injured or killed? The consumer is made to feel like they are at fault and don't know how to use anti-lock brakes. It's not our fault, it is the fault of the manufacturer. Will you please have someone contact me with regard to this complaint? Thank you.

Filed Jan 31, 2000 · Brakes · NH

When applying the ABS brakes on wet or dry pavement pedal goes to the floor , causing extended stopping distance. Please give any further details.

Filed May 13, 1999 · Brakes · SC

When the brakes are applied pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer has been notified. Owner was told that the rotors were warped which causes the vehicle to shake and vibrate during heavy braking.

Filed Feb 19, 1999 · Brakes · CA

Brakes failed, spring broken.

Filed Dec 1, 1998 · Airbags, Brakes · AR · crash

Consumer made a right turn and the engine stopped. After switching back and forth, the vehicle began to start slowly. Once started, the vehcile merged forward and began to jerk back and forth. Consumer proceeded, she was driving approx. 10-15mph when she began to brake for a vehicle and the ABS light came on and there were no brakes to apply. Consumer hit vehicle at 15mph. Approximately 20-25 minutes later, both air bags deployed. The whinshield shattered.

Filed Aug 31, 1998 · Brakes · TN

Brakes failed inspection.