Does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent reported on January 27, 2004 (Electrical system: ignition, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (56 complaints), followed by power train (34).

How many 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints mention a crash or fire?

23 of 243 complaints report a crash and 8 a fire; 24 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls and problems

1 recall and 243 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier.

recalls

243

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier recalls

Electrical system: ignition, switch

NHTSA campaign 04V036000 · reported January 27, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,415,231 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system56
Power train34
Service brakes, hydraulic32
Engine and engine cooling29
Steering26
Fuel system, gasoline22
Air bags21
Suspension15
Structure14
Equipment11

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 18, 2019 · Electrical system · 138,000 miles
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. ALSO, THE HOOD WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL…

May 21, 2018 · Electrical system · 100,000 miles · fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOORS, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WIRING IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER…

Nov 6, 2016 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED IN 2009, ROUGHLY FIVE YEARS AFTER GM'S RECALL. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH'S SERVICE. IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL, GM INSTALLED AN IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. BACK IN 2009, THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION WOULD OVERTURN, AND…

Jun 14, 2016 · Structure · 90,000 miles
THE WHOLE FRONT DASH HAS MANY CRACKS IN IT AND APPEARS TO BE DANGER SINCE PIECES ARE FLYING OFF AS I DRIVE.

Nov 18, 2015 · Steering · 180,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A…

Cavalier model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	315	25	8
2001	1	243	23	8
2002	0	196	24	4
2003	1	678	31	6
2004	1	330	17	6

Across all years, the 2003 Cavalier has the most complaints (678). All Chevrolet Cavalier years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent reported on January 27, 2004 (Electrical system: ignition, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier?: Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (56 complaints), followed by power train (34).
How many 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier complaints mention a crash or fire?: 23 of 243 complaints report a crash and 8 a fire; 24 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 18, 2019.