1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 11%of 503 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, 11% of the 503 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“July 2002 manual transaxle leak- replaced left and right seals; march 2003, left seal replaced; october 2003 right seal replaced. October 2003, low coolant light comes on when driving up hills in 2nd or 3rd gear and sometimes on flats- same gears. Dealer claims that there is an antifreeze leak and that the head gasket is blown, meanwhile I took it in for the leaking transaxle- I can't win.”
NHTSA complaint #10070972, filed 2004-01, 142,000 miles“I replaced the battery on my 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.4l with manual transmission about 3 days ago. Today as I was driving to get gas the vehicle started to idle low as if it was not getting enough fuel to the engine. As I came to a stop it got worse and then I check the dash for any indication of malfunction only to see my airbag, check engine, ABS, check oil & battery lights flickering. Moments later as I shift into 3rd gear it dies rendering all safety and normal operation of the vehicle nearly impossible. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438689, filed 2011-12, 17,035 miles“While driving on a back road between 25-30 MPH vehicle started pulling to left. This resulted in the vehicle crashing into an embankment. Upon impact, the vehicle turned around and went backwards 15 yards. The vehicle was totaled. The driver had to climb out of the window to exist the vehicle. The police officer indicated that this occurred due to an equipment failure. The axle broke on the rear passenger wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10086061, filed 2004-08, 78,000 miles“While turning into a gas station and car began to make clunking, sputtering noises. It stalled then began to go again, then just stopped and sat their halfway in the oncoming lanes. The engine just revved in any gear. The car was pushed into the gas station to aviod a head-on collision and a chunk of the transmission casing fell off. The car would only move if in nuetral and pushed. The car is pending diagnosis and repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10086209, filed 2004-08, 140,000 miles“1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: check engine light and ets off light came on during highway driving, off again by the time we got to he dealer. Happened again during highway driving a week later. Dealer found that computer code indicated failure of a pump seal in the automatic transmission (4-spd overdrive transmission). Cost to repair will be at least $1,305. Other similar complaints found on the NHTSA site show problems with pumps installed in transmissions prior to june, 1996. Car has only 37,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10000904, filed 2003-01, 37,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017096Oct 24, 2005Vehicle will not move in either direction. Transmission may show over full. P90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. Converter may be empty of fluid.
- 10017086Oct 24, 20054t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 34 | 14% |
| 2000 | 26 | 8% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1997 | 26 | 5% |
| 1996 | 54 | 11% |
| 1995 | 17 | 6% |
| 1994 | 16 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
117 complaintsElectrical system
100 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsSteering
49 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsEquipment
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology