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Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls

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Recall Date Problem Area Recall Text
03/01/04 Engine 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 produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.

If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. the fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.

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 necessary, replace the ignition switch. owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

Gm recall no. 04002.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
01/18/05 Electrical and Air Conditioning On certain passenger vehicles, the rear lamps that provide stop and turn signals and tail lamp functions stop working because of inadequate contact between the bulb and socket. in addition, if one bulbs were to become inoperative while the vehicle was operating in cruise control, the cruise control would disengage when the remaining bulb was activated. if both lamps were to become inoperative, the cruise control would not engage.

An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect the rear lamp bulb socket assemblies and apply grease or replace them if necessary. the recall began on january 18, 2005. owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Gm recall no.04083.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration?s auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
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08/23/04 Other Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, 'seat belt assembly anchorages.' the passenger-side rear safety belt may have been installed with an incorrect nut and bolt.

In a severe crash, the upper seat belt anchorage may separate. the effectiveness of the seat belt could then be reduced and the occupant could receive greater injuries.

Dealers are to inspect the safety belt anchorage and install a new nut and bolt, if necessary. the recall began on august 23, 2004. owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Gm recall no. 04056. customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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See TSBs for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
See reliability data for the Chevrolet Cavalier

Chevrolet Cavalier Recalls

Some things are often misunderstood about recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs). Plus a disclaimer.

  1. Recalls do not have to be issued only because something is prone to failure. NHTSA (a government agency) can only require a recall if a failure will affect safety, emissions, fuel economy, or compliance with some other regulation or law. Manufacturers can voluntarily recall cars for problems that do not affect these, though.
  2. Recalls often apply to only some cars of a specific model year, rather than all of them. You should receive a letter from the manufacturer if your car has been recalled. You can also check with the dealer, which will know which (if any) recalls pertain to your car.
  3. The primary purpose of TSBs is to inform dealers about known problems with a car and how to fix them. They are not the same as recalls. As with recalls, TSBs often only apply to some cars, not the entire model year.
  4. Dealers often will not provide a preventive repair just because a problem described in a TSB might happen to your car. They'll usually want to observe symptoms that the problem is already affecting your car.
  5. Even if there are symptoms, a manufacturer doesn't have to pick up the cost of a TSB repair if the car is out of warranty, though sometimes they do.

We provide the text of recalls and TSBs as provided by NHTSA. There can be errors in the text. If you sign up for notifications in My Garage, we will try to get these to do, but for various reasons (some beyond our control) cannot guarantee you will receive them. When in doubt about a recall or TSB, contact the dealer.