Most common 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier problems
Share of the 315 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Cavalier complaints by model year
Best Cavalier years: 2002, 2001, 1999. Years to avoid: 2003, 1997, 1996. Compare all years →
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier 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.
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…
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel type indicator switch assembly, which includes the instrument panel illumination control.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier:
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Engine stall due to fuel starvation
Odi opened pe02-066 to evaluate the scope and consequence of engine power-loss due to fuel starvation induced by in-tank modular fuel pump strainer restriction.the subject pumps use an external ?sock? Strainer to filter fuel flowing to the pump inlet.this filter can sometimes become clogged, resulting in a reduced flow of fuel to the engine.GM has subsequently modified the strainers to reduce this…
Erratic fuel gauge
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of…
What 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier owners say
Electrical system all 69 →
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The contact experienced issues starting the vehicle. The dealer could not identify the failure; however, a muffler shop repaired the starter on the vehicle. After the repair, the starter began to overheat and burned the interior of the vehicle. The current mileage was 91,812 and failure mileage was 91,600. Updated 03-30-09 the consumer stated an unnecessary relay switch was added to the starter which caused the starter to malfunction. Updated 03/31/09.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. In March of 2005, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for routine service and they stated that she needed a relay switch and a new wiring harness. There were no failures at that time. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke and the key in the ignition was getting hot. The dealer stated that she needed another new ignition switch and wiring harness at the cost of $403.23. The failure mileage was 17,000 and current mileage was 32,000.
Engine & cooling all 58 →
I had the air conditioner replaced. The tech said the tensioner needed to be replaced. One week later I returned and had a new belt tensioner installed. About a month later the new air conditioner had premature failure. I had it repaired under warranty and also had a new drive belt installed during the repair. About one year later I began hearing a chatter when accelerating from stop position and had excessive vibration. I took to the shop and they said the belt tensioner was bad. This seems excessively short life span for a replacement part of good quality. Today the shop tried three different tensioners and still it was not correcting the issue. I even double checked the belt routing pattern to ensure it was correct. I dont understand what the problem is with the belt tensioners for this vehicle. All my prior Ford vehicle never had this problem with their tensioners of same design. …
After purchase of my vehicle - battery was dead dealer replaced new battery lost coolant - engine was smoking then found out vehicle was on recall had to replace rotors and pads with less than 20,000 miles on vehicle something needs to be done to improve the brake system on the Chevy cavaliers they do not last. I commute to work by train and hardly drive so I was surprised with all the problems with this vehicle with not alot of miles.
Brakes all 45 →
After purchase of my vehicle - battery was dead dealer replaced new battery lost coolant - engine was smoking then found out vehicle was on recall had to replace rotors and pads with less than 20,000 miles on vehicle something needs to be done to improve the brake system on the Chevy cavaliers they do not last. I commute to work by train and hardly drive so I was surprised with all the problems with this vehicle with not alot of miles.
We bought a used Chevrolet Cavalier from the year 2000 with an extended warranty (GM certified) for 3 months or 3,000 miles. Since the beginning there were 4 problems not yet fixed. 1 - there is a popping noise under the back of the car. Dealer (koons Chevrolet - withe marsch, md) said he couldn't duplicate. After bringing the car for the 3rd time, he said the brakes were dirty and he cleaned them, but this noise is still here, when starting at a red traffic light for example, or when riding on a rough road. 2 - there is a grinding noise in front when driving. It's stopping when pushing the brake pedal. It's linked with the brakes for sure. The pads are new and the dealer said the rotor makes his noise, but he refused to change it (whereas it's under warranty). He said it's not unsafe. But this noise is coming louder and I feel like a loss of control. …
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 31 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 30 / 24 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier a good car?
Based on 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Cavalier rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Cavalier at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The electrical system — 69 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the engine & cooling (58) and brakes (45).
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, the most recent from January 27, 2004 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Cavalier?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2001 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 1997 and 1996. See the full Chevrolet Cavalier years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.