1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 8%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,527miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier, 8% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,527 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine shakes when first started n when idling, but not when driving. Hoses n belts r not in good shape. Not sure about the air bags but seen on this site that there was a problem. I have seen that there are or where, quit a few recalls that were not taken care of. Especially safety ones.”
NHTSA complaint #11242805, filed 2019-08, 54 miles“Two issues left consumer stranded in 1999 2.2l Chevrolet Cavalier catastrophic failure of input shaft/input drum assembly on 3t40 transmission, left operator without any forward or reverse drive gears while drive was engaged and rolling. Managed to avoid crash. Remedy was replacement of transmission with remanufactured transmission. Incipient worsening of starting times. Poor factory ECM calibration in all or most 1999 2.2l cavaliers can leave operator stranded in warm starting condition. Results in poor initial running and large amount of unburned hydroarbons released to atmosphere. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136720, filed 2005-09, 137,000 miles“First, the whole transmission was rebuilt at dealers, the sensor fan now does not work, the battery and radiator are not functioning, the steering is malfunctioning, and the brakes are slipping, and now the transmission is also slipping again, I reported all this to chevy as I was not getting satifaction from the dealers in florida and now the my vehicle is broke down and will not run in bradenton florida at cox chevelot on cortez road in florida, I called and talked to several women in the customer service at chevy and their names are brandy mays and lillania lopez, I still have no vehicle…”
NHTSA complaint #754191, filed 2001-11“1999 Chevrolet Cavalier. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems and vehicle sometimes emits white smoke through the vents. The consumer stated the transmission and radiator needed to be serviced. Also, a serpentine belt and fuel pan was needed.”
NHTSA complaint #10520307, filed 2013-06“Gas gauge, speedometer and temperature light will not work. At the same time all of the panel lights will come on - gas light, engine light, brake light, etc. Then all of the sudden everything will work properly. This occurs at least once a day, and has been happening since approximately 25,000 miles. Was taken to a dealer for the odometer reading hieroglyphics but nothing was resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #758124, filed 2002-02Related service bulletins
- 10115081Nov 2, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission…
- 10023942Oct 1, 2007Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body reconditioning, dtc p0741, p0742, p0751, p0752, p0756, p0757, p1811, harsh…
- 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 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
51 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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