2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
The Verdict
The 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier has 336 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (98 complaints) and engine (96 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 40/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Cavalier, consider the 2002 model year which has 37% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2002 has 37% fewer complaints
View the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 SOMETIME...
Risk
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...
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 NECES...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 TH...
Risk
THIS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TYPE INDICATOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CONTROL.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the interior passenger side directional signal began blinking rapidly while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that an onlooker observed that the exterior driver side indicator light was not illuminated when indicator was activated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior lighter fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the weather was cooler, the exterior indicator light was experiencing the failure; however, during warmer weather, the indicator lights operated properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
IGNITION GETS VERY HOT WHEN KEY IS TURNED CAN SMELL PLASTIC IGNITION OR BATT 1 CIRCUIT PROBLEM.CLEARCOAT IS PEELING.LUG NUTS COMING LOOSE
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.
UNNECESSARY GAS ODORS. SEAT BELTS KEEP UNLOCKING. STEERING
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 .
I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED. THE TECH SAID THE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I RETURNED AND HAD A NEW BELT TENSIONER INSTALLED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE NEW AIR CONDITIONER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE. I HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD A NEW DRIVE BELT INSTALLED DURING THE REPAIR. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER I BEGAN HEARING A CHATTER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP POSITION AND HAD EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE BELT TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OF GOOD QUALITY. TODAY THE SHOP TRIED THREE DIFFERENT TENSIONERS AND STILL IT WAS NOT CORRECTING THE ISSUE. I EVEN DOUBLE CHECKED THE BELT ROUTING PATTERN TO ENSURE IT WAS CORRECT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BELT TENSIONERS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALL MY PRIOR FORD VEHICLE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TENSIONERS OF SAME DESIGN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS A BELT THAT BREAKS OR SLIDES OF A PULLEY DUE TO A FAULTY TENSIONER CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SITUATIONS. ALSO THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK.THE ODOMETER REGISTERS MILAGE DRIVEN BUT THE BACKLIGHT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.PLEASE LOOK INTO AND DONT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS ISSUE BECOME IMPORTANT.THANKS.
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.
WHILE PUMPING MY TIRES WITH AIR I NOTICED MY TWO BACK TIRES (A DIFFERENT BRAND FROM THE TWO FRONT TIRES) HAD CRACKING IN BETWEEN THE TREADS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HERE IS TIRE INFORMATION (AND DESIGNATIONS) AS DESIGNATED ON THE SIDEWALL: REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE: ACHILES PLATINUM MADE IN INDONESIA (5N1) MANUFACTURED BY MULTI STRADA ARAHSARANA TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RADIAL 195/70 R1491H MOLD NO. 03-02 E4 (ENCIRCLED) 0228041 DOT 5KJN HP 3606 THREAD: 1 POLYESTER, 2 STEEL, 2 NYLON; SIDEWALL 1 POLYESTER THREADWEAR 280 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A ODDLY ENOUGH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEEMS TO MATCH THE ABOVE INFORMATION WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS: THREADWEAR 420 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A MOLD NO. 03-03 WE BOUGHT TIRES FROM FIGUEROA TIRES IN LOS BANOS. WE DON'T HAVE A RECEIPT TO CONFIRM THIS. THESE TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BEFORE 04/29/10 SINCE WE DID FIND A SERVICE ORDER RECEIPT FROM WALMART TIRE & LUBE EXPRESS DATED 04/29/10 THAT STATES IN THE TPMS AND TIRE DISCLAIMER RECEIPT: ACTIONS: REPLACE ONE OR MORE OF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE...REASONS: VISIBLE TIRE CUT, PUNCTURE, BALD SPOT, OR OTHER IRREGULARITY. *TR
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
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.
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.
2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION ISSUES AND VEHICLE IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, HE EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP, THE RPM GAUGE BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SOMEWHAT DISENGAGED AS IF THE MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN. HE PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. HE PARKED IT, AND THE NEXT DAY, HE DISCOVERED SOMETHING DRAINED THE NEW BATTERY. A MECHANIC RODE WITH HIM, AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE MECHANIC, THEN CHECKED EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT COME UP WITH THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE STATED HE BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL, BUT COULD NOT SAY FOR SURE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, OF ALL THE IGNITION PROBLEMS GM WAS HAVING WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *JB
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
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
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
BROKEN K-MEMBER /477-03540. *TR
THIS CAR WILL NOT START. AND WHEN IT DOES START IT BACK FIRES. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER, THE FLEX PLATE THE SENSORS, AND THE MUFFLER, AND NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK AND NO MECHANIC CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH. I EVEN WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A CAR CODE READER AND IT SAYS EMISSIONS BUT STILL NO LUCK. *TR
GAS GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WORK, IT REGISTARS HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE CAR. I SPENT OVER $450 DOLLARS AT THE GARAGE TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT WHY THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THE GARAGE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I DISCOVERED MYSELF AFTER THE 3RD TIME, THAT PUTTING GAS IN IT FIXES IT, AND REALIZED THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT REGISTERING EMPTY, WHEN THE CAT WAS EMPTY, AND I WAS SIMPLY RUNNING OUT OF GAS. *TT
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LARGE PICK UP TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON IMPACT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. DURING THE FAILURE THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED AND WERE POSITIONED IN A MANNER IN WHICH THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
336 total