Comments: 1-15, 16-29
Within the first 5000 miles, I had to have the left strut mount replaced twice.
I'm constantly replacing brakes and rotors.
Now I've got problems with the transmission/engine revving and the "TRAC OFF" light is intermittently coming on and the engine light as well. I had the brakes replaced and the mechanic said I didn't need the rotors replaced, but it was making funny noises that HE chalked up to it being the rotors needing to seat themselves. After that, the engine light and the "TRAC OFF" light started coming on. That was at about 72000 miles. I took it back to him 4 times and he did nothing to fix it saying he didn't hear anything (and the light wasn't on those times he had it because as I say, it's intermittent). I ended up taking it to my regular mechanic who then told me that the problem with the engine light and the "TRAC OFF" light coming on is a transmission problem (but it took me a while to get it in to him so it at that time was at 78,328 miles... still under the warranty I think for transmission problems, but when you drive as far as I do to get to work, it doesn't take long to tally up miles. Now I'm not sure if they'll honor the warranty because though the problem started before the time limit ended, it now has more miles on it than the warranty states. Not sure who I can contact for help. Any suggestions?
I REFUSE to take it to the dealership where I purchased it. I took it there for the strut mount replacement and someone stole my hand-held CB (which they've never offered to replace).
I've not been happy with this car because of all the problems I've had with it since I bought it.
I have a Lumina van that I'm still thrilled to death with. It's been a wonderful car for my family.
I don't know if I'll ever purchase another Chevrolet with all the problems I'm having with this one. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what they're going to do to rectify this situation before I decide.
I have a 2001 Cavalier with 62,000 miles and the TRAC OFF light just started coming on. It usually gets stuck in gear when this happens, and usually it is a low gear, but it goes away and the car works fine after stopping and turning the engine off and re-starting it. I have not taken it to a mechanic yet. I am not so sure it is a transmission problem, it seems more like a computer problem.
I also have a 2001 Cavalier with a transmission problem. It has 70,000 miles on it. I can't get a start answer if it will be covered under warranty or not? How do I find out this information. I am the original owner.
I have a 2001 cavalier that gets stuck in first gear every time the "trac off" light comes on, but when I turn it off then on it works just fine. I don't think it's the transmission, but any advice would help.
I was wondering you said you turned your light off HOW? mine came on and was on for about 20 seconds (right after starting the car) I backed out of the garage put it into drive the trac off light went off and the check engine light came on and is still that way this happened about 20 minutes ago.
I had the same problem yesterday. The trac off light came on and the car stalled, then would not restart. Any suggestions? It is also a 2001 Cavalier.
Make sure your gas cap is on correctly. My 1997 was doing the same thing, and it turns out the gas cap had fallen off inside the door.
I have had this problem three times. Today the low trac came on and then the check engine light as well. It seems like it never switches into gear. It seems to happen only when pulling away from red lights or when I have low rpms. I can turn the car off and the lights go off, but it has been more frequent. I am taking my car to a mechanic tomorrow. Did anyone ever get this resolved?
Brake solution - I have a 1999 Cavalier 4 door sedan, and I also was having to replace the front disc brakes every year. When I mentioned this to the saleman at the AutoZone store, he suggested that I try replacing the rear brakes as well even though they appeared to have over half their life left. I did this and it worked. I no longer have the problem with the front brakes wearing out every year. The are now 2 years old and still have plenty of lining left on them. Apparently the rear brakes were wore down to the point that they were not pressing against the drums hard enough which was causing the front brakes to do all the work.
My son has a 2002 cavalier bought new now at 53,000 miles without warning car engine stopped, (timing chain snapped) he had an extended warranty, but G.M. dealer said it was due to not changing oil. which is not true because i, myself change it for him at 3,000 miles intervals. engine is absolutely clean inside. never buy a cavalier again. dealer was highland-CHEV olds in glace bay n.s.
I also have a 2001 Cavalier with both the strut mount noise and the TRAC OFF intermittent problem, which is becoming more frequent lately.
First, I have been told by two separate mechanics that the strut mount noise is not really a problem - the mounts just get slightly out of alignment and all it does is make an annoying sound. I can live with that, rather than spend a great deal of money to get it fixed and have it start happening again a week or two later. This car has driven across the country three times without any problem at all. The only thing about this that worries me is eventually trying to sell the car and trying to explain to any potential buyer that this sound is supposed to be "normal" for this type of car.
But the TRAC OFF light started happening to me last summer while I was in Florida, and I cannot figure out what is causing it. The mechanics cannot reproduce the problem so they can't diagnose it. At first, the only consistency that I can even think of is that it seems to happen more often at NIGHT, though why this would be makes no sense. In Florida, it is much more humid at night than during the day, so I was thinking it's moisture buildup on an exposed wire or something, but I've had all that checked. And here in Utah the humidity is not an issue. But still, it happens frequently at night, sometimes accompanied by the CHECK ENGINE light which will not go away with a simple restart. During the day it might happen once or twice; just this last night it happened five times in a roughly seven-mile round trip.
When the TRAC OFF light comes on, I'm usually in a lower gear (never while on the freeway), and my transmission shifts very roughly - the whole car is shaken, and it only shifts several seconds after it normally would. This cannot be good for the car, but unfortunately I can't get it diagnosed so there is really nothing I can do.
My son's girlfriend also has a problem with her 2001 Cavalier. The transmission will slip, then slam into gear, and the trac warning light comes on. It is intermittent and I haven't had an accurate explanation for it.
I had to replace the fuel pump package today (106K miles). After the install the Trac On light is on and it is hard shifting. Anyone else run across the fix.
Have a 1991 RS Convertible V-6. Bought in 2001 for $600. Now have 210,000 miles. Everything works. No complaints. Heater box, right front bearing, pollution control processor replaced. Everything else minor. Lots of duct tape on top, and some rust. Had been rear-ended a long time ago, so front seat is bent and loose on floor. Who cares... the top works!
V-6 Engine a dream,with no oil leaks or burning.
I have a 2001 Cavalier that had problems similar to what you were describing. I thought it was a trans problem at first too, but upon looking into it farther it turned out to be the TPS (Throttle position sensor). It's a fairly easy fix if that is your problem. I would check that out before you get any expensive transmission work done.
I have a 2001 Cavalier 2DR 5-speed and it has been nothing but problems since the day I got it.
I go through at least four sets of brakes a year, and the sad thing is, it's a five speed and I don't even use the brakes as much as I would with an automatic.
The head-gasket blew at 50000, and now with 69000 on the car there is a miss in the first cylinder.
I had to replace the fuel injector O rings last month because fuel was leaking out of the top of the cylinder.
The alternator went, and every once in a while when I turn the key in the ignition the dash cluster goes crazy and speedometer and other gages go from zero up to the top and back, and then it won't start. Not to mention I had to replace the original dash cluster because it fried. Now I can't see the mileage unless I push on the gauge cluster.
I wish it would just catch on fire so I can get something different. I will never buy another Chevy product.