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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Electrical system: ignition, switch
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy: 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.
Interior lighting
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BI-FUEL OPTION FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE AT FULL ILLUMINATION LEVELS AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE STANDARD REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TYPE INDICATOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CONTROL.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Electrical
2004-01-28 · campaign 2004-033
On certain vehicles, if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "Start" position for an extended period, high current flowing through the ignition switch may 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. Correction: Dealer will install a relay kit to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.
Lights and instruments
2001-04-17 · campaign 2001-096
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 101- Location and Identification of Controls and Displays. Vehicles exhibit a condition in which the "Generator Low Voltage" indicator light will not illuminate under low voltage conditions. Correction: Dealers will reflash the vehicle PCM with new calibration software.
Lights and instruments
1999-08-19 · campaign 1999-155
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 101 - Control Location and Identification. The instrument panel backlighting may not function after adjusting the interior light intensity. If the instrument panel is not lit at night, the driver may not be able to see the controls and displays. Correction: Dealers will test the body control module (BCM) for the condition, and if necessary, replace the BCM.
Owner complaints (315)
Owners filed 315 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier (25 crashes, 8 fires, 21 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #6 for the most complaints (median 196).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 69 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 54 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 41 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 29 | |
| Steering | 28 | |
| Structure | 27 | |
| Power train | 26 | |
| Suspension | 21 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Cavalier 2.2 L Automatic 3-spd | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Cavalier 2.2 L Automatic 4-spd | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Cavalier 2.2 L Manual 5-spd | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Cavalier 2.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 19 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Cavalier 2.4 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Cavalier (Bi-fuel CNG) 2.2 L Automatic 3-spd | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.