2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 11%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, 11% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My key came out of the ignition while the car was still running and in the on position, and also another time the car key turned off by itself and I lost power to the vehicle and my brakes locked and almost caused me to get into a crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10639177, filed 2014-09, 92,000 miles“This complaint is similar to GM's recent recall. When making mostly left turns at low speeds I get clicks on the steering wheel. It now is starting on right turns. I purchased the 2001 Cavalier with under 36,000 mi . It now has a little over 37,000 mi.”
NHTSA complaint #10054267, filed 2004-01, 36,000 miles“At about 34,000 miles the steering case started making a clicking noise, I took it to the dealer and they told me it was nothing, they lubed something. After that the noise went away but just a couple of months later I started feeling a clanking noise in the steering, it turns out when I took it in for my annual inspection the mechanic states in about a year or two the steering will no longer work. Turns out a friend of mine had the same problem with steering, while coming out of their driveway, they couldn't turn the wheel, they eventually had too change the steering case in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043093, filed 2003-10, 37,000 miles“Whenever the steering wheel is turned a clunk can be heard and felt. This happened back in about 2003 and still continues to this day. On second complaint, odometer numbers no longer show up properly. Only when pressure is applied to the odometer area do the numbers light up.”
NHTSA complaint #10326096, filed 2010-04, 20,000 miles“Rack and pinion unit makes a clunking noise when I turn the steering wheel. Cavaliers in general seem to have a problem with steering units and should be looked into why the problems have been on-going for years. Technical service bulletins from 1992 to today list a history of steering unit problems with this model.”
NHTSA complaint #10020791, filed 2003-05, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 19 | 3% |
| 2002 | 16 | 8% |
| 2001 | 26 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 31 | 13% |
| 1998 | 54 | 16% |
| 1997 | 83 | 15% |
| 1996 | 49 | 10% |
| 1995 | 19 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 17% |
| 1987 | 6 | 25% |
| 1986 | 3 | 17% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
56 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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