Brakes done at 30,000km intervals front disks and pads. Service adviser stated that this was the norm for the vehicle.
Service engine soon light came on at about 23,000 Solenoid was changed. This problem has re-occurred 2 more times.
Was in twice in one week for steering problems. The first attempt at correction was to re-lube the intermediate shaft. Second attempt was to do this again... guess someone did not do it correctly the first time around.
At 30,000 the entire dash padding was replaced due to the passenger air bag cover lifting. Dealer said not to worry the bag would not deploy, requested to be changed nonetheless. The rear seat fold down also had to be tightened at this time due to rattling.
At 51,000km the front strut mounts were re-torque and the strut bearings where re-greased.
At 67,000 the vehicle was in for a mystery clunking noise coming from the front end, the glove box door rattling and the window seal folding up with the window. After getting the car back the clunking noise shall remain a mystery for the time being as the service tech could not find anything wrong. The glove box is not covered under warranty and I refuse to spend another red cent on this car. The window seal is invisible to two of the service techs until myself and one of their grease monkeys pointed it out, turns out this is not covered under the warranty either, therefore it shall remain as is.
This car has been the worst purchase I have ever made. I had an 87 olds regency, which will be on the road long after this thing finishes falling apart. I got better gas mileage from the olds and longer wear out of the brakes, from a vehicle, which is far heavier, and with an automatic. The olds even with no warranty cost less to keep on the road as I have spent more money on brakes (approx $900 and counting) in 67,000 on the cavalier than total repairs on the olds in 60,000. I purchased the cavalier hoping for a little peace of mind as the olds approached 15 years old and 220,000 km, and had to purchase the extended warranty on my cavalier for fear of being stranded with it.
Bottom line this car is great if you don't drive it. It is not fuel efficient, the seats are uncomfortable for any kind of distance driving. The brakes wear down quickly. The car rattles and shakes over every little bump on the road.
When my lease comes up I will gladly turn in the key on this vehicle and look at a Japanese car, or heck even a KIA or Hyundai anything would be better. The money I saved buying a GM product has not been worth the time, inconvenience, or stress. NEVER again will I purchase a GM product. I have come to realize GM stands for Generally Mediocre.
OK, First of all 30,000km for brakes is regular wear. And big deal if the thing rattles, you tighten whatever is loose. You will never buy GM product again? That's fine, but better luck with a Hyundai or Kia, take a look at the reviews on them, you had no serious problems compared to KIA. You just don't know how lucky you really are. Any other car your going to have the problems you've just had so suck it up! God I'm tired of people complaining about normal wear and tear items on this site that go wrong. If you have better luck with your other cars keep them then.
P.S I love some of you people who refer to HONDA, TOYOTA, or NISSAN motors as "RICE BURNERS" that is really rude, but funny. Also, Hyundai, and KIA are not Japanese cars, they are korean and Koreans can't build a car. Stick with American or Japanese.
It is NOT normal to replace both the rotors and the pads on any car after 30,000km. Rotors should last 200,000km if maintained properly. My neighbour had similar problems with his Sunfire (same car). GM is famous for brake rotors that warp. As for the other stuff, it SHOULD have been covered by warranty. Contact GM directly and complain.
I am amused with the audacity that anyone would write such a comment. You clearly did not read my complaints on the vehicle or my review. I never once mentioned any racial slurs in my review, referring to Japanese cars as "rice burners". I also differentiated from japanese cars and KIA/Hyundai as I am fully aware that they are form Korea. Next time you write a comment A) get your facts straight, B) read the entire review to its completion prior. I posses extensive knowledge of vehicles and I am well aware of whats is within reasonable expectations of repairs and what is not. The repairs I have had to have done to my Cavalier are unacceptable for any vehicle.
If you want someone to "steel" your car, I suggest you try a foundry or an iron works!
My sympathy for having so many unwanted problems with your car. May be you should sell it while you can. Research and find a suitable and reliable car for your needs through this website. May be a 1994 Buick Regal 3.8 or a 2001 Toyota Corolla with low mileage.
The statement that it is abnormal to replace rotors and pads on ANY car after 30,000km is absolutely untrue. Rotor and pad wear are a function of use and depend on the driving cycle the car is subjected to. For example, if the car is a commuter car with lots of fwy driving, of course the pads and rotors are going to wear longer. If used in frequent stop and go application (i.e., pizza delivery), they can be gone in as little as 5,000km or less. This is why no manufacturer warranty’s friction material (pads or shoes). Without knowing the driving cycle, it’s impossible to definitively state normal rotor and pad wear beyond several thousand km.
Exactly, my Mitsubishi Evolution 8 required pads every 8-9,000 miles, and those were $400 pads for the set. Rotors warping? Yeah, like every car hasn't done that before. Guess my dad should sell his Civic because it rattles, needed two wheel bearings and front rotors too! Worst purchase ever, right?
Well, whatever, that just shows to me that the Cavalier is a pretty decent car.
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