2001 Chevrolet Cavalier

● Typical for this model
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cavalier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 134 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 212 complaints 1995: 270 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2001 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints 2005
2001: 243 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199155
1992134
1993146
1994212
1995270
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE LEVER BECAME STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190318

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20010126 — SQ (closed 20020930)

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE

I 20020930 — EA (closed 20031230)

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE

R 20040301 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES P

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSAR

Campaign 04V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081016 — steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOL

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V036000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 1997 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.