My 2003 chevrolet cavalier recently began to make a clunking noise, which can also be felt, in the front end. When I put it up on a lift, I noticed that the sub-frame was rusting (deteriorating). I know it is 13 years old, but my parents owned a 1989 cavalier z24 for 20 years, and they didn't have any problems with its frame. I've read that other people have had this same issue with their 2003 chevy cavaliers. Why is this? Why has there not been a recall? My family has owned several new and used vehicles, all gm, and we have never seen a sub-frame rust to this extent. We are a gm family and are extremely disappointed in gm's lack of response to this safety hazard.
Chevrolet Cavalier harsh shifting problems
28 of the 4,549 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cavalier describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 55,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Steering noise 3Loss of power 3Ball joint 3Headlights 2Knocking 2Check engine light 2Stalling 1Power steering loss 1
What owners say
Both my husband and I drive 2005 chevy cavaliers, his car as roughly 95,000 miles on it his problems started first. First the gauges have started to go. The speed-o-meter and gas gauge are never right. Next his steering wheel column has started to come loose. My car having no more than 60,000miles on it has recently followed trend first my gas gauge went all the way around to being stuck in the middle, and then my gas gauge would get stuck and bump into the temp needle. This week I've noticed that my steering wheel column is coming loose too, my dashboard rattles and makes a noise like something is clunking around in there and I am worried this could lead to an accident I have looked online and noticed others have had issues with their cavaliers as well. Also, I saw that there was a recall# 08e063000 dealing with steering issues in the 2007 models. I have not however noticed a recall for the 2005 models.
2003 chevrolet cavalier- at 64,000 miles fuel pump died while parked at a store upon restart $700.00 replacement. At approximately 60,000 miles front clunking noise started, dealer could never find a problem, now at 76,000 miles, having front upper strut mounts replaced. Found alot of complaints online about same issues. I determined cause of front clunk on my own. Also, was in collision that involved front driver side, down driver side front fender, airbags did not deploy, don't know if they should have. Noone was hurt, was slow speed crash. Still cannot believe no recall on fuel pump or front suspension. Apparently gm doesn't want to foot the 700.00 bill for the fuel pump defect.
Whenever the steering wheel is turned a "clunk" can be heard and felt. This happened back in about 2003 and still continues to this day. On second complaint, odometer numbers no longer show up properly. Only when pressure is applied to the odometer area do the numbers light up.
In weeks prior, a clunk was heard upon low speed manuvering, later a rattle @ 2000-3300 RPM. I have not driven it since, save to get $3,000 estimate and several opinions, that a connecting rod is defective, making the engine valuless, which all concur this is common for this engine, and gm may have known of this problem for years, and done nothing.
1. Vehicle made a moaning noise when turning at approximately 55,000 kms (and 3 years old). Replaced power steering pump and steering rack. 2. Random clunking from the front end at approx. 56,000 kms. Replaced front bearings and transmission mount. 3. Car lost power, had to be towed to dealership. Dealer couldn't find a problem, insisted the car was fine. I insisted on them taking it out again. Car broke down, had to be towed back to dealer again. Replaced catalytic converter and fuel ignition switch. 4. Burned through 4l of oil and puffed out black smoke. Dealer couldn't locate problem. Happened again approx. 2000 kms later. Faulty piston rings, engine replaced entirely. At 61,000 kms. Now at over $11,000 cdn warranty repairs on a well maintained low mileage car. 5. Random clunking noise in front is back. Going to dealer tomorrow. Warranty: expired.
Bought 2000 chevy cavalier from bay point towing in concord on 4/8/06 after one week of driving vehicle the front started to make a clunking noise and the front wheel just locked up make it hard to steer. I took the vehicle to two different repair shops and both declined working on the vehicle due to too many parts missing from underneath the car in the front suspension. One mechanic stated that I was very lucky I did not get into an accident when driving on the freeway.
I own a 2000 chevy cavalier and the warranty has expired. When turning the steering wheel while the car is moving very slowly and loud clunking/popping noice is heard from the front of the car--possibilty under the dask board. I am trying to find out if there has been a recall on the steering column or anything that has to do with steering of the automobile. In reading through different consumer complaint; it would seem this a major problem with the 2000 cavalier and the customer should be taken care of to prevent an accident and/or injuries to the automobile occupants. Cannot afford extended warranty nor can I afford more auto repairs. Please respond with some positive feedback.
(1) ordinary to low usage of a 2000 2.2 l chevrolet cavalier, which had 19,900 miles when the failure occurred in november, 2004. (2) persistent problem with a "clunking" sound in the front driver side of car, when turning. The problem is especially noticeable at low speeds. The noise is a possible indication of a steering or powertrain malfunction. (3) the vehicle was taken to an automobile repair shop to identify and repair the problem causing the noise. The repair shop identified and replaced a cracked brake rotor. Moreover, they replaced the other rotor and both brake pads. Furthermore, the repair shop lubricated the driver side lower ball joint, the saddle on strut, and the tie rod. Also, the axle was inspected externally, but no problems were identified. The repair shop indicated that it might take a week for the "clunking" noise to disappear, as the lubricant worked into the joints. However, as of april, 2005 the problem still remains.
Clunking felt in steering when turning.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Cavalier harsh shifting
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (5 complaints), 2003 (5 complaints) and 2001 (4 complaints).
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