The 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,415,231 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
26
1crashes1fires5injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
17
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
13
1crashes1fires4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
12
1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12
2crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
11
9crashes7injuries1deaths
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
10
1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
10
AIR BAGS
9
4crashes2injuries
Total complaints356
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the gear shift was difficult to move and the lever became stuck. Occasionally, the key became stuck in the ignition and the gear shift would not go into gear. Also, the hood was hot, the engine overheated, and the vehicle…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the gear shift was difficult to move and the lever became stuck. Occasionally, the key became stuck in the ignition and the gear shift would not go into gear. Also, the hood was hot, the engine overheated, and the vehicle…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the gear shift was difficult to move and the lever became stuck. Occasionally, the key became stuck in the ignition and the gear shift would not go into gear. Also, the hood was hot, the engine overheated, and the vehicle…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. Upon exiting the vehicle and closing the doors, the interior dome light remained illuminated. The contact also noticed a burning odor coming from the light bulb wiring in the roof. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet cavalier. Upon exiting the vehicle and closing the doors, the interior dome light remained illuminated. The contact also noticed a burning odor coming from the light bulb wiring in the roof. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or…”
“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…”
“Sometimes, during regular braking, rear brakes lock and car does not stop. Happens on asphalt even at slow speeds. Online research reveals that this is a common issue that seems to stem from a few causes at time of production.”
“My car abruptly slowed down and began to drag as though the transmission was going into a low gear and the brakes were being applied. *tr”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA02028 Opened 2002-09-30 · closed 2003-12-30
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS…
InvestigationEA02028 Opened 2002-09-30 · closed 2003-12-30
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS…
InvestigationSQ01002 Opened 2001-01-26 · closed 2002-09-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.