2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine stalling or refusing to restart, along with electrical problems around the ignition switch, dashboard lights and wiring. Cooling system failures and dashboard cracks also come up repeatedly, and many of the sampled complaints were filed on vehicles in the 40,000-100,000 mile range, with some stalling reports appearing shortly after purchase or later in life.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or will not restart (ignition and starting

   • 76 complaints (24%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2018

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning while driving or when slowing to a stop, then either restarting after a wait or failing to crank at all. Several owners link it to the ignition switch, ignition lock cylinder or starter relay, and note that keys or switches became hot. According to complaints, dealers often could not duplicate the fault, and some owners say an add-on starter relay or a new ignition switch and harness were installed. Reported from very low mileage up past 100,000 miles, often intermittently and more noticeable on short trips or in cold weather.

   Recall 04V036000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 04V036000 for the ignition switch was performed on this vehicle and whether the ignition switch, lock cylinder or starter relay has been replaced. Check that the key does not feel hot after cranking and that the car restarts reliably after a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am the original owner of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier starting in november 2005 we had the ignition lock cylinder changed due to being unable to start the car. This lasted for about a year when problems started more frequent. We brought the car back to the dealer and he was unable to duplicate the problem. He stated that this is an intermittent problem and they could only find the problem when the car fails to start. It would start for them while it was at the dealership. I contacted gmac and explained the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10185212, filed 2007-03, 56,221 miles

   “While driving on highway, the engine suddenly stalls and will not start for sometime. Track light comes on. Happens randomly . Currently happens 3-5 times a week. Afraid to drive the car anymore. If it stalls where there is no shoulder can cause a severe accident. 2000 chevy Cavalier, started happenning after ignition recall but dealer denies and link.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093523, filed 2004-10, 73,100 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and stalling; inaccurate fuel gauge

   • 40 complaints (13%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2011

   Complaints describe the engine dying at speed or at a stop sign and then not restarting, with the fuel pump identified as the failed part; some owners report multiple pump replacements. Others describe the fuel gauge reading half a tank when empty, or swinging between full and empty while driving. Repairs are generally described as pump replacement at the owner's cost. Reported from under 10,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, with many cases in the 50,000-90,000 mile range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for the fuel pump prime when the key is turned to run, and ask whether the fuel pump or sending unit has been replaced. Note whether the gauge holds a steady reading across a fill-up and a longer drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Over the past several months the fuel gauge on my 2000 Cavalier has failed to show the proper amoun of fuel remaining in the tank. I have had the car run out of fuel while the gauge shows 1/2 tank remaining. Also, after refueling I have had the gauge show an empty tank, or the needle will varie between full and empty while I am driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030933, filed 2003-08, 35,500 miles

   “My car would intermittently not start. Would run fine, start several times while driving to different locations and then not start. Left me and my young daughter stranded, would not have been good if it were in a bad part of town or had I not had family close to come get me. Now I can't get it to start at all, don't hear the fuel pump prime. A mechanic told me to hit gas tank with mallet while trying to start it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10243417, filed 2008-09, 101,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Popping or knocking noise when turning the steering wheel

   • 17 complaints (5%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2006

   Owners describe a loud popping, clunking or knocking noise from the steering column when the wheel is turned, sometimes with vibration through the wheel. A few complaints say the noise returned after a repair, or that a dealer said it could not be duplicated or was normal. Related complaints mention turn signals or headlights behaving oddly at the same time. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 60,000 miles, often on turns or at low speed.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while stationary and at low speed and listen for popping. Ask whether the steering column or intermediate shaft has been serviced, and check that the wheel does not feel loose.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife and I own a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The steering is beginning to have a distinctive popping sound and loosening develop. I know there is a problem and I am taking it to a professional to avoid serious problems. It is difficult to believe that GM could not develop a better steering column than this. It would seem a recall should be placed on GM for inspections to this particular problem (part). I know that this may seem trivial but I have already had to replace a fuel pump ($700 plus) out of pocket at about 2000 miles over my warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10025510, filed 2003-07, 39,000 miles

   “Popping sound and feel when turning steering wheel has been worked on two times for this problem; interior lights do not turn on when opening drivers door; top portion of dash is split in the middle; makes lots of crackling noise, sounds like something is loose with the suspension.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045236, filed 2003-11, 4,500 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard top and peeling paint

   • 20 complaints (6%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2018

   Complaints describe the top of the dash splitting at the windshield or cracking in several places, with owners concerned about sharp edges and airbag areas. Others report clearcoat peeling or paint turning chalky on the hood, roof, trunk and spoiler. According to complaints, dealers generally declined to repaint or replace the dash outside warranty. Reported from very low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, and often described as gradual.

   What to check: Inspect the dash top along the windshield for splits and check the paint on horizontal panels in daylight for fading, blistering or clearcoat peeling. Note whether the dash cracks run near the passenger airbag area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Paint, ceyenne pepper. Metal flake paint is starting to turn white in millions of little pockets below the clear coat. Gm rep. States the car is out of warranty and the car just needs to be detailed. The dealer john l. Sulivan. Just painted the spoiler a month ago for the same cause. The spoiler is starting to show some of the early signs already of the advancing problems. The service manager stated the paint is damaged due to atmospheric conditionc. They are refusing to repaint the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10071192, filed 2004-01, 23,000 miles

   “The dashboard developing cracks without warning. The dealer states the dash material needs to be replaced. The consumer is concerned that the airbags will be defected. Please provide additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092026, filed 2004-09, 120,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss (head gasket, thermostat)

   • 14 complaints (4%)
   • median 50,320 mi at 4.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2011

   Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing quickly or going to maximum, sometimes with no visible external leak because coolant is going into the engine. Some complaints mention a failed head gasket, warped or flooded cylinders, and in a few cases the engine had to be rebuilt or replaced. Complaints also describe thermostats replaced without solving the overheating. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 90,000 miles, sometimes shortly after start-up.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition when cold, look for milky oil or white residue under the oil cap, and ask whether the head gasket or thermostat has been replaced. Have a shop pressure-test the cooling system before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The first problem I experienced was in oct 2001,while driving the temperature gauge went to the maximum reading without warning, I pulled off the highway and turned off vehicle. Waited a while started back went approximately 1/4 mi and same problem,after stopping 3-4 times I started back on the highway and continued to drive with temp gauge in the red for a approx 1 mile and all gauges returned to normal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023001, filed 2003-06, 35,900 miles

   “My cooling system failed causing my car to overheat and kill my 2.2l engine. Also at 36000 my timing chain broke. My extended warranty company is refusing to pay.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068762, filed 2004-01, 56,000 miles

Buying note. These are older cars, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, fuel pump, ignition switch history and steering column noise is worth the cost. Ask for service records covering recall 04V036000 and any head gasket or fuel pump work before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.