Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
I drive my car for Canada post ,so I do lots of mileage,but after owning my car for around 5 months I went to come to a stop and realized I had very little brakes,I had to pump them repeatedly to stop at a intersection,I continued to the next block where I opened the door and pressed the brakes to notice brake fluid pouring out of the wheel .I took the tire off and seen that the brake line had been rubbing on my cv boot ,the line on the passenger side was grooved from rubbing on my cv joint and in turn broke the cv boot and broke the brake line ,I went to GM and asked if there was a recall on this and they said no so I replaced the line myself with a little modification to stop it from rubbing but now I got a cv joint that is about to brake due to this brake line can you please check to see if this is just my car or others all so ,I have all so had more brake problems from the day I …
I have a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The first problem I experienced was in oct 2001,while driving the temperature gauge went to the maximum reading without warning, I pulled off the highway and turned off vehicle. Waited a while started back went approximately 1/4 mi and same problem,after stopping 3-4 times I started back on the highway and continued to drive with temp gauge in the red for a approx 1 mile and all gauges returned to normal. Chevrolet garage could not find any problems with cooling system..my second problem I keep hearing a clanging/rattling sound from the front area of vehicle while sitting still if you turn steering wheel you can hear a thump from the front left area where strut is located..my third problem is my check engine/service engine light keeps coming on at various times. …
The 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier was purchased in July 2003 with approximately 32,000 mileage. On December 25, 2003 with 34,016 mileage the brake dash light came on, indicating a problem. The fluid was barely visible when checked. The mechanic later determined the proportioning value was losing a drop of brake fluid with the application of the brake pedal. The part was ordered and received from the local dealer. The repaired car was completed on January 2, 2004. He difference was remarkable. It wasn't until it was repaired that I realize how much it had lost it braking ability. Today I was told it was not a safety issue, since I didn't have it repaired by their authorized dealer only the dealer could make the determination of defective parts.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 45 MPH the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal and the pedal depressed to the floor. During the failure the brake light began illuminating on the dashboard. The vehicle rolled to a stop and was towed to an independent repair shop. The contact was told the brake lines fractured and were positioned in a manner in which they were rubbing against the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 145,000.
Brakes did not stop properly when pulling out of parking lot, broad sided another vechicle, Cavalier did not stop when brakes were engaged at low speed, GM was contacted and even though the dealership found warpage on the rotors they disregard responsibility stating warped rotors cannot interfer with proper operation of the brakes, they turned rotors and returned vechicle, please investigate have read multiple claims on your site of similiar complaints on this vechicle.
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway when another driver pulled in front of her without puting on signal she applied pedal so that she could stop, and pedal went all the way to the floor. She veered into other vehicle from behind.
During a routine stop in heavy traffic on a dry smooth road, anti-lock brakes engaged at less than 10 MPH, causing the vehicle stopping distance to double, resulting in minor accident, causing $1560 damage to front end of vehicle.
I had had problems with my car not stopping when I would brake in the past. I took my car into the dealership and they said it was because I needed to replace my brakepads & rotors. I paid to have them replace and less then 2000 miles later my mom had an accident. It was a clear, dry, moderately traveled road. A woman cut of kip the man in front of my mom. He braked, my mom saw what happened and had plenty of time to brake ,and was only driving approximately 20-25 miles per hour. She stepped on the brake but the car didn t slow, so she stepped harder causing the pedal to go to the floor of the car. When that happened the ABS system made it s normal noise to indicate it was engaged but the car still didn t stop. Kip s truck and tow ball stopped my car. The air bags didn t deploy and there was no damage to kip s truck. My mom is a very experienced driver. …
Brake complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 14% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.