2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 8%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,156miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 8% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,156 miles. 2 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.
“On the date mentioned below, my daughter was driving to work when the car wouldn't go into 3rd geer. The RPM's wouldn't go over 3 and the car wouldn't go over 30 MPH. No previous problems with the car at all. We took it to the chevy dealer and they wanted $400 just to drop the pan and look at the car. Since my daughter needed the vehicle for work, I took the car to a reputable company in the local area (they also service my company trucks) and they told me the transmission was shot, 3rd and 4th geer were gone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10038959, filed 2003-09, 26,311 miles“I drive my car for canada post ,so I do lots of mileage,but after owning my car for around 5 months I went to come to a stop and realized I had very little brakes,I had to pump them repeatedly to stop at a intersection,I continued to the next block where I opened the door and pressed the brakes to notice brake fluid pouring out of the wheel .I took the tire off and seen that the brake line had been rubbing on my cv boot ,the line on the passenger side was grooved from rubbing on my cv joint and in turn broke the cv boot and broke the brake line ,I went to GM and asked if there was a recall…”
NHTSA complaint #10116504, filed 2005-04, 64,000 miles“Driveshaft/powertrain failure on right side during low speed (<15 MPH) right hand turn caused lose of control of vehicle and collision with light pole. Deployment of air bags caused minor injuries to driver. Vehicle a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10167470, filed 2006-09, 88,000 miles“We bought a used Chevrolet Cavalier from the year 2000 with an extended warranty (GM certified) for 3 months or 3,000 miles. Since the beginning there were 4 problems not yet fixed. 1 - there is a popping noise under the back of the car. Dealer (koons Chevrolet - withe marsch, md) said he couldn't duplicate. After bringing the car for the 3rd time, he said the brakes were dirty and he cleaned them, but this noise is still here, when starting at a red traffic light for example, or when riding on a rough road. 2 - there is a grinding noise in front when driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023484, filed 2003-06, 42,156 miles“The car has repeatly refused to change out of 2nd gear, one occasion I was going around 47 miles per hour and the just stop moving the RPM's read around 4 the, and the car read about 45 mles per hour but it was not mving. The car behind me had no idea why I stopped because there was no brake lights. This has happened repeatly and I am afraid to drive the hwy with this vehicle. My family, friends and anyone behind me are in danger each time we get in the vehicle. If someone frm behind did hit me they would think it was all there fault becuase the re-ended me. …”
NHTSA complaint #721214, filed 2000-04Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10115081Nov 2, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission…
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 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
69 complaintsEngine cooling
54 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 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