1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 106about this part
- Share
- 20%of 540 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 106 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 20% of the 540 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The temperature gauge in car rises to very hot. There is no steam or anything coming from car, but you must still stop on the highway and wait for the gauge to read cool before you can continue on. This also happens if you are on a line for any amount of time. Because of this problem I own a car that I drive only around the neighborhood.”
NHTSA complaint #10110192, filed 2005-02, 4,500 miles“The first incident that occur was in 2009. It was that the switch of the key engine did not want to start. Someone came to fix it but could not find a way to repair it. He had to add a button under the steering wheel and I would be tuning the key to the engine to start I would have to push that button to start the car. I would have to be replacing light bulbs constancy from the rear back of the single light. The theft lock system would be turning it self on while I would be driving. Thankfully there was accident because of that. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567219, filed 2014-02, 119 miles“There is a clunking noise in the steering wheel and front left wheel when maneuvering a turn. Also my water pump has had to be replaced twice in the past year. My final complaint is that when I try and start my vehicle it doesn't always start when holding it in the start position.”
NHTSA complaint #10021510, filed 2003-06, 135,000 miles“My 97 chevy Cavalier has blown through 3 head gaskets, 3 water pumps, 3 heater cores and 3 thermostats within the 3 years I've owned the car due to coolant leakage out of a place that no mechanic can seem to figure out. Also, the engine stalls when the car is in idle at random times. I've been stuck late at night on the highway and in the cold with my infant daughter several times and no one seems to be able to fix this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10042984, filed 2003-10, 65,000 miles“I have a 1997 Cavalier (the warrenty began in feb. '97). Just recently found out I need the head gasket replaced at a cost of approximately $1200. Noticed that many other owners have had the same problem, although in 96's. My car has 70,000 miles on it, and from what I've learned, a head gasket should last about 10 years of 100,000 miles. I would like chevy to get involved and pay for this, since it obviously seems to be such a problem with cavaliers.”
NHTSA complaint #10007798, filed 2003-02, 71,483 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 43 | 6% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 12% |
| 2000 | 54 | 17% |
| 1999 | 44 | 18% |
| 1998 | 55 | 16% |
| 1997 | 106 | 20% |
| 1996 | 117 | 23% |
| 1995 | 82 | 30% |
| 1994 | 56 | 26% |
| 1993 | 41 | 28% |
| 1992 | 15 | 11% |
| 1991 | 8 | 15% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 10 | 23% |
| 1986 | 6 | 33% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
107 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsAir bags
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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