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.
Chevrolet Cavalier steering noise problems
30 of the 4,549 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cavalier describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 30
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 28,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 4Harsh shifting 3Loss of power 2Headlights 2Check engine light 2Won't start 1Wipers 1Stalling 1
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that in 2005 when she made a right turn at 15 MPH, the steering wheel made a clicking noise and began to vibrate. The failure continued to occur. There were no warning lights that would allude to the cause of failure. The contact also noticed that the steering wheel would unlock and turn involuntarily when it was supposed to be locked. The fuel gauge was also defective. She also noticed that the lights on the instrument panel, and headlights, were also faulty. The bulbs in the left rear turn signal and brake light burned out and melted after they were used three to four times. The contact called the local dealer to ask about related recalls and was informed that there were no open recalls for her vehicle; however, the contact found eight recalls for her year, make and model vehicle. The current mileage was approximately 100,000. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
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.
Steering-noise when turning steering wheel, in any direction. Took to a repair shop and was told I needed new bearings in the steering column.
While steering the vehicle, a loud popping noise started coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver noticed that the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer. The mechanic could not duplicate the problem. The consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once and has not been resolved. *jb the rear drivers side would display a loud rumble at times and would lessen after driving. The rear of the vehicle would shimmy when the brakes were applied. *sc
When turning steering wheel could hear grinding noise. Dealer greased the problem which went away for awhile. When the noise came back the dealer said the steering gear needed to be replaced. This car has 58000 miles . The steering has become extremely dangerous and saftey hazard.
I own a new 2003 chevy cavalier with several problems. Had to replaced 2 spacers, a strut mount, several steering parts and part of the rear light. *bf the consumer stated that she can slightly rock the steering wheel from side to side. The consumer asked if an occasional popping in the steering is normal in her vehicle after testing four of the same models.
When turning right or left steering column produced a popping sound. As a result, turn signals failed, and headlights blinked on and off.
Same defective bearing problem in steering as 2000 and chevrolet caviliers. Bearing is noisy when wheel is turned. Could cause steering wheel to freeze or lockup upon binding. Bearing is a universal swival type bearing located at the bottom of the steering column, just in front of the firewall and is covered by a rubber boot. The bearing makes a noise when the steering wheel is turned. The noise goes away when the bearing is sprayed over and over with wd-40, but comes back after a thousand miles of driving. Other 2000 - 2002 cavaliers were recalled because of the problem, but the 1999 cavaliers are having the same problem like this one and should also be brought to the dealers attention and recalled.
I bought the car brand new arround 04/2003 chevrolet cavalier 2003 since then I reported several times back to the dealer ship with the following problems:drivetrain - clunk noise during low speed turns A/C - difficult mode/temperature setting operation . Steering - momentary loss of power assist. Steering - rattle/knock when turning wheels - front/rear wheel squeaking noise ---all those complaints are never been taken care off - they allways had some "low excuses for me - like the wheater/rain/dirt on the wheels (I live in the city ...not on a dirt road..) anyway the only complaint they taken serious is that I brought in the car now for the 3rd time to repair the right signal light - last time just today! I reported again all the other problems, with the sucess that they at least orderd now a "new part" for the A/C, everything else is again been "played" down. Honestly, I'm getting tired of having so much trouble with a new car. Bringing it to the dealership always cost me a nearly a whole day of missing work. I would like to know if there is any way to fix all tjose problems for once and all or does a customer from chevrolet just has to suffer and put up with such a poor quality?!
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is wrong
- These vehicles were built with overtorqued drive axle spindle nuts. This condition can cause excessive loads on the spindle nut and drive axle resulting in failure of the drive axle or the spindle nut. Failure of either of these components can result in separation of the steering knuckle tire-wheel assembly from the drive axle.
- Risk
- This can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles. Corrective action: dealers will replace left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles.
Recall number 94V115000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Cavalier steering noise
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (9 complaints), 2001 (5 complaints) and 1998 (4 complaints).
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