2000 Chevrolet Cavalier: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 315 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Ignition gets very hot when key is turned can smell plastic ignition or batt 1 circuit problem.clearcoat is peeling.lug nuts coming loose”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. While stopped at a red light, the contact was informed that the rear brake lamps failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2016
“Reporting this as a defect on car list above .I'm pa. State inspection station. This is just one of many we see and reject for rust out unit body rear frames . I feel the public should be aware of they own one these models car could buckle on a rear end collision. I did not see this on your site to have been reported thanks ken at c&w performance pa. Station # e7 .”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated when removing the key from ignition switch, the vehicle failed to shut off. The contact stated that the relays and the inside dome light constantly stay illuminated. The failure was contantly draining the battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start and the steering wheel became loose. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2014
“This car has been lovingly cared for since it was new. The underbody is perfect but the subframe (engine cradle) is badly rusted, with pitting, scaling and a rusted through hole. I am heartbroken! This car is very nice but now I can't drive it. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the driver crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was killed. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileage was 130,000. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2013
“First driver side rear turn signal blinked rapidly, then brake light and turn light ceased to work. When checked, the light and lens were fused (melted) together. As well driver side window ceased to work. Mechanic stated its electrical and advised I check recalls.also sometimes gas pedal accelerates without pressure from me. No cruise control engaged, not able to determine when or why...just occasionally happens. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated that the dashboard cracked causing sharp edges. The contact also stated that there were cracks were near the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BI-FUEL OPTION FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE AT FULL ILLUMINATION LEVELS AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE STANDARD REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TYPE INDICATOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CONTROL.
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.
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 AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cavalier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
NHTSA has 315 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.