2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 14%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,762miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, 14% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,762 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission is making a grinding noise between 1st and 2nd gear. My wife and I asked the dealer we bought it from, if they could look at it. (17,000 mi, still under warranty). They said it was nothing and wouldn't do anything. However, we ran into the previous owner, and he said the dealer gave him a 5 year or 60,000 mi warranty just on the transmission. And still with the warranty no one will do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #10030670, filed 2003-08, 17,001 miles“I was driving at 40 mile ph and all of a sudden the car hesitated acted like it couldn't get into gear -the track off light was on-I was driving on flat surface no wet conditions this happened more then ten times. Had car looked at by mechanic could not explain it resets after turning off car and starting it up again it was checked on computer found no problem but on last time the car died as I was driving into the repair shop it was again check and the repair man showed me that he shouldn't get any info because it wasn't sending info to his computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216489, filed 2008-01, 97,000 miles“My clutch pedal went to the floor. It caused a traffic jam and was almost hit. I couldn't get my car into gear, I finally shut off my engine and started it in first gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10169972, filed 2006-10, 63,018 miles“At 30,000 miles I was driving up a hill with half a tank of gas, my caviler died. Towed to the servicce center and the fuel system needed to be replaced. At 45,000 miles the transmission was making noise, a grinding noise, took it in and chevolet put in a brand new transmission. It was out of warrenty so cost me alot! For a new car this is really upsetting. Most recently june, 2003 the transmission was leaking in two places, took it in again and chevolet kept it for 5 days, couldnt diagnoise the leak, assumed it was bolts on the frame of the transmission that needed replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025712, filed 2003-07, 30,000 miles“Engine light has come on for the 10th time in 2 months. The dealership resets the computer and sometimes does repairs. The service dept. Manager has asked me to take it somewhere else to see what they can do. All repairs have been related to either gas or powertrain. The engine light always comes on after acceleration going up a hill.”
NHTSA complaint #10028378, filed 2003-07, 19,427 milesRelated 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…
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 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
56 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsSteering
26 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 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