1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 4%of 540 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,198miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 4% of the 540 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,198 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1987 chevy cavaliar shut off in the middle of driving multiple times. The first time I heard clicking in the cluster and the theft system light turns on and my fuel pump shuts down. I have been in very critical places while this situation takes place. The theft system has shut my vehichle off on the highway, in the intersection ect.. I have tryed to reset this system numerous times. I have come to the knowledge that this is a serious problem with many chevy cavaliars and other GM models. This should be a recall and should be fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10659080, filed 2014-11, 120,000 miles“The fuel pump overheats when idling and it went out. (noisily, it sounded like a dentist's drill) before going out I took it in for a diagnostic because the car was pumping gas fumes into the cab and they found nothing wrong. Because it is in the gas tank it cost me over $700 to replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10070754, filed 2004-01, 48,000 miles“After having my 97 Chevrolet Cavalier fixed as per the recall I got it back and smelled gas when driving it home,took it back to the dealership service dept. Who did the work and they looked at it and said one of the fuel injectors was leaking,and that it wasn't due to the recent repair work they did,the head mechanic shawn said it was the main problem with the cavaliers,if it is common to this type of car should they have tried to fix this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10018799, filed 2003-05, 84,197 miles“Dt: while driving 30 MPH, the consumer slowed down at a traffic light behind other cars and the engine unexpectedly died. Consumer made several attempts to restart the vehicle, the attempts were unsuccessful. The gas tank level gauge displayed there was gas. There was about 1/8 of an inch display that gas was still in the tank. Consumer realized he was out of gas after he could not restart the vehicle. Consumer had to send his nephew to a corner gas station to get some gas to put into the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135391, filed 2005-09, 43,000 miles“O-ring injector leaked gas, and gas fumes entered the cabin of the vehicle through the air vents. Dealership replaced the o-rings several times, but the problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #10038534, filed 2003-09, 36,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137901May 9, 2014This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 383 | 56% |
| 2002 | 18 | 9% |
| 2001 | 29 | 12% |
| 2000 | 43 | 14% |
| 1999 | 17 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 4% |
| 1997 | 23 | 4% |
| 1996 | 18 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
107 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsAir bags
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 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 30, 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