Complaints
356
Crashes
37
Fires
11
Injuries
43
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#126 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:78,213 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#217 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:32,890 mi
#313 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Avg mileage:86,963 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 26 | 1 | 1 | 78,213 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | — | — | 32,890 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 13 | 1 | 1 | 86,963 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | — | — | 85,075 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 12 | — | — | 69,538 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | 2 | — | 25,757 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 | 9 | — | 50,000 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 10 | — | — | 39,766 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 10 | — | — | 20,216 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 4 | — | 42,478 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | 76,400 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 8 | 1 | — | 28,532 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | — | — | 81,175 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 7 | — | — | 18,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | 90,278 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | 1 | 33,512 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 5 | — | — | 179,875 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,213
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,890
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,963
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,075
Gasoline Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,538
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
25,757
Air Bags:Frontal
11
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
Fuel Pump
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,766
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,216
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,478
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,400
Steering:Rack And Pinion
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,532
Structural Problems
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,175
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
18,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,278
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,512
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
179,875
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier Years
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier has 356 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 26 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (26 complaints, avg 78,213 mi); Automatic Transmission (17 complaints, avg 32,890 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (13 complaints, avg 86,963 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 59,650 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier include 37 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 43 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cavalier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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