When the brakes were applied, the ABS failed. *nlm the consumer was told the anti-lock brake system was defective.
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer stated when brakes were applied there was a delay in braking. Cause was unknown. Please provide any further information. *ph when the road is wet, the braking distance is the length of two telephone poles. Vehicle was taken to the dealership five times but they weren't able to duplicate the problem. Consumer was told bring the vehicle back when its raining. Consumer did so and each time they stated they were busy. Mechanic wrote one repair order. Consumer installed new rotors and pads which helped a little bit. Consumer believed the problem is the anti lock.
Consumer states that the brake rotors are wearing and when applying the brakes the vehicle will have a heavy vibration and extended stopping distance. Dealer notified. Ts
Car was stopped about 2 feet from wall. Foot slipped off brake allowing car to roll forward, causing it to bump wall. Air bags deployed and passenger side air bag busted windshield. Parts/service manager at our local general motors dealer removed bumper and inspected, and he saw no reason why air bags should have deployed. Also, there is no visible damage to vehicle other than air bags deploying and busted windshield. He contacted general motors and reported this. They refused to do anything about it and they also refused to send an inspector.
Luckily, I have not been involved in any accident because of this problem, but it is only due to luck. I contacted gm regarding this, and was told that since I didn't bring the vehicle to the dealer for "maintenance" (I do all my own oil and easy filter changes), I was not eligible for anything to help defray the $700 cost of the ABS modulator that failed, prematurely, at only 64,000 miles. It is ludicrous that they can tie oil changes to failure of a key brake component, and reward repeat gm customers in this manner. While I am awaiting the regional person's final say on this, it doesn't seem promising, judging by the response I got from they're "customer care" hotline. (now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one!!).
Abs fail to work at high or very low speeds. Rotors replaced twice in two years. Dealer can't find anything else wrong with the brakes. Have taken it in several times, but problem continues. The last time I had the rotors fixed they put a hole in my windshield washer fluid container and want over $100 to replace it. Starter refuses to turn over ocasionally, dealer couldn't find problem. There has got to be a recall very soon on the brakes soon, I'm lucky I haven't gotten in an accident yet. Everyone I know that has the same car has had the exact same problems with their brakes. They had to issue a recall on a faulty brake system they had on their trucks several years ago. I don't feel safe driving my car and will never buy a chevy again.
When I depress my brakes after the car has sat awhile, they lock up slamming the car to a stop. When it gets icy out my tires will lock up and I will go into a skid.
Vehicle has had major brake problems, rotors have been replace twice, due to them being warped, at times consumer is unable to stop at slow speeds, dealer states they can not find the problem.
This is the third cavalier I have owned, and the last. Thought it was a great car, guess I was wrong. The radio has been replaced 3 times, the brakes 3 times (they wear funny), the seat broke and I fell into my 3 year old in the back seat. And chevrolet has once again stood by their word, I am the second owner of this car, so they will do nothing. What a company.
3 minors injured. Car totaled. Brakes applied, but car would not stop and hit embankment.
Extended stopping distance when applyinge brakes. Problem is due to an ABS modulator failure. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle not cover under a recall, and was out of its warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Brakes have started to make loud grinding noise. Took vehicle to dealer . Dealer claimed there was no defect. But, after 3 days consumer was involved in a crash due to inoperative brakes.*ak
Consumer experienced shaking in the front when braking, dealer turned rotors and found that 60% of brake pads were left, consumer is worried that this happened with such low mileage on vehicle.
Intermittently when brakes are applied vehicle will surge forward. Pedal goes partially to floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
Front brake rotors warped, causing vibration when brakes were applied.
Consumer took vehicle in to dealer for ABS light coming on. Dealer said vehicle needed a master cylinder. Consumer stated that if pedal went to floor that meant that brake pedal had failed.
`I have had the rotors replaced twice and turned twice with brake pads. Three of these were completed before the warranty expired.
I have the complete case history in email form, if you notify me of you address I will send.
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.
I had to replace my brake pads about 4 months after I bought my car, now it seems that I have to replace them again, I know I drive alot by 6months of buying a car you should not need brake pads that much. I think there is something wrong within the braking systems that is causing the pads to worn too fast, I think this needs to be checked out quickly
Vehicle suddenly accelerates on its own when cruising at a low speed up to very high speeds. Brake responded, but sometimes were very hard. Dealer has been contacted.
After being driven 50 miles the car was parked on a slope of 6 inches in 24 feet. The parking brake was set and the manual transmission was in neutral. After 2 hours the car rolled backwards 75 yards, over a small tree and steel fence post and came to rest in a field of tall grass. Damage to the rear bumper was substantial. Closer investigation reveled that even tho the parking brake was set the car would roll. It appears that after the brakes cooled off for several hours they released the pressure against the rear brake drums and allowed the car to roll even tho the slope was very slight. The issue is that even tho the parking brake appears to be set it will allow the car to roll after the rear brakes cool and release the shoes from the drums.
Excessive wear of brake pads on driver's side. Dealer/manufacturer were notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of warranty, and nothing else would be done. Feel free to provide further details.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
The defective braking system malfunctioned, causing the brakes to wear unevenly which resulted in extended stopping distance, and could cause a crash. Please provide further information.
When applying the ABS brakes on wet or dry pavement pedal goes to the floor , causing extended stopping distance. Please give any further details.
Intermittent braking problem. Brakes "lock-up"and vehicle skids under all normal braking conditions, particularly when vehicle is "cold." when problem occurs, brake pressure is lost and it does not seem like car will stop. Can occur on relatively level roads and steep inclines alike at beginning braking speeds from 5mph up to 45mph. Vehicle also makes loud popping sounds when braking system is malfunctionning. Vehicle has been examined and test driven 4 times by different chevrolet dealers and each time they "couldn't duplicate problem." I have a friend who drives the same model cavalier who has experienced the same braking problems and has also been told that there was "no problem/couldn't duplicate problem."
When first starting vehicle steering wheel locks up and continues not to move as a result of the wheel locking , brakes will also not work.
#1, the front brake rotors warped and the pads were worn. Dealer refused to replace under warranty so I paid out of pocket. Now second set of rotors and pads is in need of replacement. #2 trunk lid latch could not be opened with key, dealer refused to repair/replace under warranty, so I paid out of pocket. #3 reverse light switch failed, again dealer refused to replace under warranty, I paid out of pocket. Switch has gone bad again and I paid to have it replace a second time. #4 driver's door hinges were bent and door did not always close tightly, dealer repaired at no charge. #5 driver's side side had a metal bar sticking through the upholstery into my back. Dealer repaired at no charge.
While driving ABS warning light came on. Consumer took car to dealer, and dealer said that nothing was wrong.
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