Chevrolet Cavalier jerking problems

Filed Nov 18, 2015 · Steering · 180,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximatley 35 MPH, an unusual noise emitted from the steering wheel and the entire instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the vehicle began to jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The trouble code detected a failure within the steering column. The mechanic reset the steering column sensor; however, the failure persisted. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08e063000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired for a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Nov 15, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 133,000 miles · IL

After accelerating over 35mph vehicle continues to accelerate. Vehicle able to stop but you can still hear and feel the motor to continue to accelerate and the vehicle starts to jerk around. Its very unsafe and no one at the car shop able to tell me exactly what is wrong. I've had several things fixed and still having the same problem. The vehicle sometimes after starting up will accelerate on it own.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Acceleration · 85,610 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while traveling 40 MPH, a red light on the instrument panel illuminated as the vehicle decelerated to 25 MPH. Also, the contact mentioned that the track light indicator illuminated and the vehicle jerked violently once the speed started to increase. The failure recurred nearly 12 times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was 85, 610 and the current mileage 85,615.

Filed Jan 10, 2011 · Engine · 208,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally and the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated when the failure occurred. The contact attempted to start the vehicle yet it exhibited an abnormal knocking before stalling again. After several attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle yet it stalled a third time. The vehicle was then towed to the contacts place of residence. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Fuel system · 98,450 miles · FL

In response to previous investigation the federal safety agency action number pe07033 I was driving my 2003 chevy cavalier on 95 south bound, when the trac off light came on and the vehicle jerked and stalled a little bit. I attempted to continue driving, however noticed the vehicle stalling even more. I was in an extremely dangerous place in highway traffic, and knew I had to pull off the road immediately. My car shut off as I was pulling to the right shoulder of the highway and I was almost hit by vehicles going 60-70 MPH. I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road - in a position where I was not even able to exit my vehicle from the driver side. I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic, who informed me that the fuel pump and fuel filter need to be replaced. This is going to cost me approximately $417. I have researched this problem on the web and find it to be extremely common. To say that this isn't a big problem with this type of vehicle is unfair.

Filed Jun 22, 2009 · Driver assistance · 75,000 miles · AR

Hello. I have a 2002 chevy cavalier. I have owned the car since 2003. I have around 75,500 miles on the car. Since owning the car my 'trac off" light has come on from time to time. When this happens my car jerks everytime the car shifts gears. In the past months it has been happening more and more frequently and it now is a daily occurrence. On two recent occasions, when the light has come on, when I was making a turn my car shut off completely and my steering wheel and brakes locked up. On both occasions there was heavy traffic but luckily it did not cause an accident. I am concerned because I have gone online and read about hundreds of others who have had to deal with this issue. I have called chevrolet but they did not seem that concerned with the issue. I have not had any work on the car done to fix the problem. I am a student trying to pay my way through graduate school so I can't exactly afford to take it to the dealership to have it fixed. I would not have a problem paying to get it fixed but I feel that since hundreds of people are effected by this that it is chevrolet's responsibility to get the defective cars fixed so that our roads are safer. I appreciate your time. Hopefully we can get this issue resolved soon.

Filed Oct 13, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 110,200 miles · OH

My 2003 chevy cavalier has been experiencing intermittent startup issues and occasional "chugging" while driving - seemed like the car would lurch ahead at times, has also briefly stalled at lights. On 10/11/08, the car would briefly turn over and start for less than a minute, shut off, and afterwards refused to start. Had car towed from my residence to mechanic shop who alerted me that fuel pressure was low. Fuel electronics were functioning as per computer check, turned out to be a bad fuel pump. Car is at ~110,300 miles. Had spark plugs, fuel filter, engine belt replaced in march & april of 2008.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Fuel system · 194,700 miles · AR

Tl*- the contact purchased the 1994 chevrolet cavalier on 01/23/07. The vehicle started jerking when trying to come to a stop, and lost power at stop lights. Also, the contact smelled gas fumes while driving the vehicle. He took the vehicle to firestone, and had a diagnostic test performed, and was informed that the vehicle had two fuel injectors that were leaking. And that the torque converter failed. The firestone representative informed the contact that the fuel injector failure was a fire hazard .and the vehicle was not safe. The contact called the owner of dave's dealership, and was informed by the owner that there was nothing he could do about the vehicle failures. The contact had an estimate for repairing the injectors which was $442.00 ,and the torque converter repair for $600.00. The current mileage was 19,500, and the failure mileage was 19, 4700. Updated 04/12/07.

Filed Oct 5, 2006 · Brakes · 3,224 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds a noise was heard and when depressing the brake pedal, excessive pressure was needed to stop. The vehicle jerked before stopping. It was driven to the dealer who determined the front rotors were rusted. The dealer machined the rotors to remove the rust.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · SC

While driving my car, the engine would completely shut off. At first it would happen when I was at a complete stop. However it began to happen while the car was in movement. I tried to crank the car to take it to the shop and it wouldn't crank at all. The problem couldn't be identified on a diagnostic test and it wasn't the spark plugs. I was told to replace the computer to see if that was the problem. The auto shop was not even sure that it was the problem. This computer cost $650 not including labor. Now my engine light continually flashes and the car jerks. However when I take it to the auto shop they say that I have gotten bad gas. They can't find another problem. I've changed where I get my gas and it still happens daily. Out of 3 hours of driving it may run normally about 1- 1.5 hour.